In early March, Kalyan C. Vinnakota, PhD, joined the Department of Ophthalmology as a Research Associate Professor and Head of Strategic Planning and Initiatives. He was recruited to support and strengthen the research enterprise of the Department.
Prior to this role, he worked for the Gilbert Family Foundation, where he was involved in strategic leadership and management of translational research portfolios in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a rare disease, and vision restoration research in NF1.
In that capacity, Dr. Vinnakota had collaborated with Drs. Sahel, Benowitz, and Ash, and the Eye & Ear Foundation, and became familiar with the research at the Fox Center for Vision Restoration. “The opportunities to support top tier research at Pitt Ophthalmology, and the translation of this research into vision protection and restoration therapies for patients under the same roof at the UPMC Vision Institute drew me to this position,” he said.
Dr. Vinnakota will provide faculty grant strategy and advisory support, serving as a senior grant application advisor to faculty. His scientific, strategic, and translational guidance will help strengthen the competitiveness of grant applications.
Another key aspect of Dr. Vinnakota’s role involves translational and therapeutic development strategy, in which he will support research programs across the full translational spectrum from discovery through preclinical proof-of-concept, IND-enabling activities, and clinical biomarkers or trials.
A third facet of his role is industry, foundation, and external partnerships. This will involve developing and executing a strategic portfolio of partnerships with industry, biotechnology, foundations, nonprofits, and government entities to advance translational research and therapeutic development.