Molecular and Cellular mechanisms of neurovascular injury in ischemic retinopathies such as diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity and age-related macular degeneration. In particular, the role of Bioactive lipids, Bone morphogenetic proteins, Oxidative stress, renin-angiotensin system in the breakdown of blood retinal barrier and pathological neovascularization. The ultimate goal of Dr. Al-Shabrawey’s research is to discover novel therapeutic targets to prevent or at least minimize the vision loss that results from prematurity, diabetes or aging. 

Traumatic Optic Neuropathy: Dr. Al-shabrawey's lab has established a new mouse model of traumatic optic neuropathy. The goal is to understand the pathophysiology of retina neurovascular dysfunction following blunt eye trauma and identify new therapeutic targets.