Lyndsay studied biology at Skidmore College and then spent 4 years working as a research technician, rotating through several fields, including developmental genetics, pharmacology, and ophthalmology. During this time, she evolved a profound interest in ocular biology, cell signaling mechanisms, and regenerative model systems. In 2010, she began her doctoral research with Dr. Dennis Clegg at the University of California, Santa Barbara and her thesis work centered around understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying differentiation of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) from human pluripotent stem cells. The RPE is a monolayer of cells located at the interface between the photoreceptors and the choroidal vasculature and is critical for vision. Humans have a limited capacity to repair RPE damage from trauma or disease; thus, loss of RPE tissue can lead to progressive and irreversible blindness, as exemplified by diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The overall goal of her PhD research was to develop more rapid and efficient RPE derivation protocols to generate cells for therapeutic use.
In 2015, Lyndsay took a postdoctoral position with Dr. Jeff Gross at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine to continue in RPE-related research and study intrinsic RPE regeneration mechanisms in zebrafish. Zebrafish, unlike humans and other mammals, are champions of tissue regeneration and an excellent model in which to discover RPE pro-regenerative factors. Since her transition to independence as a Research Scientist in 2019, Lyndsay’s studies have shifted to focus specifically on how the immune system regulates the RPE regenerative response and her long-term goal for this work is to influence development of therapeutics for RPE-related dysfunction and disease. Lyndsay moved to The University of Texas at Austin with the Gross lab in 2022 and has enjoyed the intellectual connections made at UT as well as the vibrance of the city of Austin. When she’s not in the lab, Lyndsay is an avid runner and a hazy IPA enthusiast!
