Hello! My name is Remi Bliss and I am a rising senior at the University of Arizona. I am majoring in Physiology and Medical Sciences with a minor in Nutritional Sciences. After graduation, I hope to complete a master’s in public health, ideally in the UK, then apply for medical school. Through the Undergraduate Biology Research Program, I was introduced to a great lab run by Dr. Brian McKay. In McKay’s lab we study Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), which is the deterioration of the retina. AMD is the number one cause of blindness in the American population over 65 years of age. We have been working to discover the mechanisms and prove the efficacy of a drug called L-DOPA, which can delay the onset and reduce the severity of AMD. Along with this, we have been working with Banner Ophthalmology to collect human tear samples with the purpose of developing a non-invasive diagnostic tool for various ocular conditions. Outside of working in the lab, I love exploring and spending time in nature, I also enjoy working out, cooking, and trying new restaurants!
