Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of acquired blindness in young adults. The research focus is to understand the pathogenesis of this devastating disease which plagues over 80% of patients after 20 years of diabetes. We are also investigating the molecular and biochemical mechanisms responsible for the tendency of incipient retinopathy to continue after cessation of hyperglycemia-the Metabolic Memory phenomenon. Dr. Kowluru is the course coordinator for the Clinical and Basic Science Course in Ophthalmology-Bench to Bedside as well as a Course co-coordinator- ‘Biology of the Eye’. Dr. Kowluru was an Associate Scientist with the University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI.