Dr. Joe Brzezinski grew up near Buffalo in Niagara County, NY. He received his BS from SUNY Fredonia and then went to the University of Michigan for his Ph.D. work in genetics. His thesis dissected the genetic programs that control how the neurons that make up the optic nerve, retinal ganglion cells, are formed during development. He then completed postdoctoral studies at the University of Washington, focusing on how rods and cone photoreceptors develop. In 2012, Dr. Brzezinski was recruited to the CU Anschutz campus as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology. His research lab investigates the genetic mechanisms that control how rods, cones, and other retinal cell types are formed in mammals. He is also part of the CellSight program in the department, whose mission is to develop novel therapies to reverse vision loss. Dr. Brzezinski is an Associate Professor and Director of Research in the Department of Ophthalmology. He is also highly involved in the education mission on campus and co-directs a large summer internship program for undergraduates interested in regenerative medicine research. Off-campus, Dr. Brzezinski enjoys playing and coaching ice hockey along with several outdoor activities, like SCUBA diving.