RESEARCHER SPOTLIGHT

Noël Marysa Ziebarth, PhD
Assistant Professor, University of Miami

Dr. Ziebarth’s study, “Atomic Force Microscopy to Elucidate Age-Related Changes in Structure and Mechanics of the Ocular Lens,” has tremendous implications for researchers working to develop techniques for the restoration of accommodation (presbyopia) and the prevention of cataracts, the leading cause of visual loss and blindness in the US. 

Q. How did you become interested in studying age-related changes related to visual loss and blindness?

A. I began working as a research assistant at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute during my freshman year of college.  My supervisor, Dr. Jean-Marie Parel, was working to develop a cataract surgery procedure that would not only fix the cataract but also restore the near vision (accommodation) that people generally lose around 40.  I was fascinated by this research area, and knew that I would like to pursue this field as I developed my own research laboratory.

Q. What is the percentage of individuals age 65 and older affected by cataracts?  Do they affect virtually everyone sooner or later?

A. Cataract is the most common age-related eye disease and is also the leading cause of blindness in the United States.  By 2020, it is projected that more than 30.1 million Americans will have cataracts.  Everyone will eventually need cataract surgery; it’s only a matter of time.  The cloudy vision associated with cataracts usually becomes problematic between 65 and 75 years of age.

Q. Why are cataracts so common?

A. Currently, there is nothing you can do to prevent cataracts.  There are certain risk factors that cause earlier onset of cataracts, such as diabetes and prolonged UV exposure.  But really, cataracts are just another inevitable part of the aging process.

Q. When were you first exposed to this area of research?  How and when did you decide to pursue a career in biomedical research?

A. I have always been fascinated by ophthalmology research.  I actually did a science project in the eighth grade with the help of my family ophthalmologist.  I knew that I wanted to remain in this field as either a medical doctor or a researcher.  When I first heard about biomedical engineering, I thought that this was the perfect combination of my skills (biology and math) and would allow me to develop new devices and treatments for eye diseases.

Q. How did you hear about the AFAR Research Grant program?

A. Dr. Len Pinchuk, chairman of AFAR Florida, sent the grant announcement to the chair of the Biomedical Engineering Department at the University of Miami.  He forwarded it to all faculty in our department.  As soon as I read the details, I knew that my research project was a perfect fit.

Q. What are the goals of your current AFAR-funded research grant project?

A. The first goal of my project is to determine why people lose the ability to view near objects as they age, a condition known as presbyopia.  I am using custom developed microscopes to determine if the eye lens become stiffer and how the structure changes.  The second goal of my project is to determine how structural changes in the membrane surrounding the lens may create changes in permeability, which may eventually lead to cataract development.

Q. How has your AFAR Research Grant enabled you to further your career interests?  Why is your AFAR Research Grant meaningful?

A. Without the AFAR Research Grant, I never would have been able to pursue this particular project.  The support that I obtained enabled me to investigate my hypothesis on the cause of cataract development.  Now that I have obtained preliminary data supporting my hypothesis, I will be able to apply for larger research grants, such as one from the National Institute on Aging.

Q. Are you pleased with your progress thus far?

A. I am very excited about some of the results we have obtained so far.  We have been able to obtain never-before seen, high-resolution images of the membrane surrounding the lens.  We have also been able to image the internal structure of fresh primate lenses for the first time.  I am looking forward to the results that we will obtain when we analyze these images as a function of age.

Q. What are your long-term research goals?

A. I am interested in applying high-resolution imaging modalities to the tissues of the eye.  The technique that I use, Atomic Force Microscopy, was only developed in 1986 and there are very few researchers using this technique in ophthalmology.  I hope that investigation of ocular tissues on the nanoscale will provide new insight into the causes of both cataract and presbyopia, the loss of near vision.  Once we know what causes these diseases, it will be easier to develop early treatment or prevention options.