Mollie Minear

Layers of the cornea 
Image from: www.onset.unsw.edu.au/issue2/Contactlenses/Cornea.jpg

I entered the UPGG program in 2006, and joined Simon Gregory’s lab a year later after rotating with David Goldstein and Doug Marchuk. For my thesis project I will be working on a genome-wide linkage scan of Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), a common indication for corneal transplants. FECD first appears as wart-like bumps on the cornea called corneal guttae, which are localized thickenings of Descement’s membrane (see the figure above). This is followed by a loss of endothelial cell density that results in reduced ion transport across the stroma. The ensuing stromal edema reduces the transparency of the cornea, leading to impaired vision. Not much is currently known about the genes that contribute to FECD, so I am excited about the opportunity to help advance our knowledge of this disorder.

So far, I have been happy with my decision to come to Duke for grad school – I have made many great friends and met lots of wonderful people here. The stipend is on par with the cost of living in Durham, there never seems to be a lack of things to do in the area. If you are a prospective student looking at this profile, I invite you to contact me with any questions you have about Duke, Durham, or grad school in general!

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