Revathi Balasubramanian

For more than a decade, beginning with my graduate studies, I have led innovative research spanning both the posterior and anterior segments of the eye, establishing myself as a leader across the full spectrum of ocular biology. My work integrates deep expertise in ocular developmental biology, mouse genetics, stem cell biology, biomedical engineering, ocular physiology, and modern genomic and sequencing technologies. During my graduate training, I investigated the posterior segment, uncovering how transcription factors regulate amacrine cell development and subtype specification, and, through collaborative projects, defined key signaling pathways governing retinal pigment epithelium development. In my postdoctoral work, I shifted focus to the anterior segment, identifying signaling systems that direct ciliary margin development and laying the foundation for understanding disorders such as aniridia and coloboma. In my independent laboratory, I now study the development and function of aqueous humor drainage tissues, with the goal of advancing knowledge relevant to pediatric and adult glaucoma. Through pioneering single-cell transcriptomic and multiomic analyses, we were the first to identify molecular markers distinguishing Schlemm’s canal endothelial subtypes and trabecular meshwork cell populations, enabling new mechanistic insights into aqueous humor dynamics. These discoveries have catalyzed a broader research vision aimed at connecting aqueous humor regulation to optic nerve degeneration. By integrating developmental biology, systems genomics, and cross-modality data science, I seek to uncover how anterior segment dysfunction drives posterior segment neurodegeneration in glaucoma. The ultimate goal of my lab is to define the integrated biological networks linking aqueous humor outflow pathway disruptions to optic nerve health and degeneration.

In addition to science, I strive to make academia an equitable environment especially for early-career researchers, women, and immigrants. I support open-access publishing and pre-printing to make science fairly accessible to researchers around the world.

Outside the lab, I enjoy hiking, exploring NYC to find hidden culinary gems, theater, opera, and making chai. I am also mom to two opinionated kids who love looking through the microscope with me.