Advancing Glaucoma Research Through Innovation and Leadership
March 2025

The UC San Diego Shiley Eye Institute (SEI) and the Viterbi Family Department of
Ophthalmology is pleased to announce that Wonkyu Ju, PhD, has been appointed to a
Hanna and Mark Gleiberman Chancellor's Endowed Chair in Glaucoma Research.

The Hanna and Mark Gleiberman Chancellor’s Endowed Chair in Glaucoma Research was
established to support groundbreaking research aimed at improving patient outcomes and
finding new therapies for glaucoma. Affecting more than 100 million individuals, glaucoma
is the leading cause worldwide of irreversible blindness.

Ju is a Professor of Ophthalmology and Bioengineering at the Shiley Eye Institute and
Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology. His work focuses on glaucoma and
mitochondria, the part of the cell that helps give them energy. Ju is investigating gene-
based treatments to protect and restore vision of individuals with glaucoma. His
appointment to the Chair strengthens the Shiley Eye Institute and Viterbi Family
Department of Ophthalmology’s position as a global leader in glaucoma research.

“We are so grateful to Hanna and Mark Gleiberman for making this investment in the
Department’s glaucoma research. An endowed chair empowers scientists to pursue bold,
innovative therapeutic strategies for debilitating glaucoma and offers hope for vision
restoration and improved quality of life” stated Robert N. Weinreb, MD, Distinguished
Professor and Chair, Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology.

For more information about the transformational gift that made this and more possible,
visit: https://shileyeye.ucsd.edu/news-events/283

UC San Diego Shiley Eye Institute Media Contact:
Naomi Kleinschmit
nkleinschmit@health.ucsd.edu