Title: Never pure and rarely linear: Unraveling the patterns and dynamics of inherited retinal degenerations with mathematical models

Abstract: "Blindness is seldom a binary condition. This is true even of forms of vision loss that arise through genetic mutations. Rather, blindness varies by pattern and by degree. For example, mutations in some genes typically cause loss in peripheral vision, while other genes typically cause loss of central vision. Stargardt disease, caused by mutations in the ABCA4 gene, can lead to reduced central vision or reduced central vision and peripheral vision. Understanding the patterns and progression of Stargardt disease is a central goal of my research.