Date: Thursday, September 4th
Time: 1:30-3:00pm
Location: Hill Auditorium, Barrows Hall | Virtual
Distinguished Lecture Series: Dr. Alon Harris
Building Bridges Across Sciences and Humanities to Preserve Vision
Description: Primary open-angle glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness, yet its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This lecture explores the role of vascular risk factors in disease onset and progression, introducing novel imaging technologies and hemodynamic biomarkers for diagnosis and monitoring.
The presentation will highlight the integration of mathematical modeling, machine learning (ML), and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance glaucoma risk prediction and improve diagnostic accuracy. Cutting-edge findings will demonstrate how combining AI and non-invasive imaging tools like optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) can revolutionize disease detection and monitoring.
The lecture will also showcase how ocular imaging, paired with AI, serves as a “window to the body,” aiding in early detection of systemic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Finally, the session will explore the “AI revolution,” featuring pioneering smartphone apps for glaucoma diagnosis and management. These advancements illustrate the transformative potential of AI-driven tools for early detection, personalized medicine, and comprehensive ocular and systemic health monitoring.
Biography:
Alon Harris, MS, PhD, FARVO, is Professor of Ophthalmology, Professor of Artificial Intelligence & Human Health, Vice Chair of International Research and Academic Affairs, Director of Ophthalmic Vascular Diagnostic & Research Program and Co-Director of the Barry Family Center for Ophthalmic Artificial Intelligence & Human Health at Mount Sinai Hospital. He is a leading expert in ocular blood flow and an internationally recognized clinical researcher in glaucoma risk assessment, disease progression monitoring, ocular perfusion, imaging, population studies, and artificial intelligence applications in ophthalmology.
Dr. Harris Leads a world-renowned ocular blood flow research center focusing on glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and ischemic optic neuropathy. He has published over 419 peer-reviewed articles, 23 books, 72 chapters, and 662 abstracts, and his Google Scholar h-index is 82. Dr. Harris is the co-founder and co-editor of the journal of Artificial Intelligence in Vision and Ophthalmology (AIVO), the co-founder of the Society for Artificial Intelligence in Vision and Ophthalmology (SAIVO) and is an editor and reviewer for dozens of other journals. Professor Harris serves on the Board of Directors and the Scientific Board of Directors for The Glaucoma Foundation (TGF).
Professor Harris has received numerous national and international awards throughout his storied career, including the “2025 The Glaucoma Foundation (TGF) Award” for excellence and innovation in glaucoma, the Edmund Benjamin Spaeth Oration Award for Outstanding Clinical Research, the Sam Rothberg Glaucoma Award, the William and Mary Greve International Research Scholar Award and the American Academy of Ophthalmology Achievement Award. He has secured over $7 million in research funding from the NIH, NSF, ADA and NEI.
Dr. Harris holds patents on treatments to improve retinal and optic nerve blood flow. A sought-after key opinion leader, Professor Harris has lectured in over 60 countries and on every continent.