Scientific & Medical Advisory Committee
Rick is a Principal Investigator and Research Lead of the Genetic Engineering Research program at the Centre for Eye Research Australia, and a Professor in Ophthalmology at the University of Melbourne. He is internationally recognised for his expertise in genetic engineering, gene editing, and retinal gene therapy for blinding eye diseases. His current initiatives, most notably RNA editing and OcularSwitch technologies, aim to deliver durable, potentially single-dose treatments that transform care for inherited retinal diseases and neovascular eye disease.
Rick has built a highly productive translational research program, underpinned by competitive funding from bodies including the NHMRC and MRFF. His work spans novel genetic technologies and advanced delivery approaches to develop new treatments for retinal diseases. His laboratory holds expertise across the full therapeutic development pathway, from generating disease models and designing gene-based treatments to evaluating safety and efficacy in preclinical systems. The team also works closely with clinicians to advance clinical translation in ophthalmology research.
