Dr. Henry Klassen is an associate professor at the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, UC Irvine School of Medicine. He is the principal investigator of a multi-university collaboration studying retinal reconstruction using stem cells.
The long-standing research of Dr. Klassen focuses on using regenerative strategies to treat diseases of the retina, optic nerve, and retinal pigment epithelium the pigmented cell layer next to the retina that nourishes retinal visual cells. Dr. Klassen and his team are studying ways to regenerate cells through stem cell transplantation, and tissue engineering. His team is also investigating means to protect the retina and optic nerve from damage. Currently, they are conducting research with pigs to develop a retinal stem cell implant to replace diseased or damaged ones.
Dr. Henry Klassen completed his medical internship at the Cambridge Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, and residency in ophthalmology at Yale Eye Center. He received his Ph.D. in neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh.