Jillian N Pearring, PhD

Dr. Jillian N. Pearring is appointed as the Skillman Early Career Professor of Pediatric Ophthalmology Assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Science at the University of Michigan. She holds a joint appointment in the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology and is a member of the Center for Plasticity and Organ Design, Neuroscience Graduate Program, and Cell & Molecular Biology Graduate Program. Dr. Pearring started her first faculty appointment at U-M in 2017 following a postdoctoral fellowship at Duke University under the tutelage of Dr. Vadim Y. Arshavsky. Dr. Pearring's research program focuses on retinal photoreceptors, the sensory neurons detecting photons of light that enter the eye. Her lab studies neuronal differentiation, migration, and ciliation of photoreceptors during retinal development as well as the molecular and cellular processes used to form and maintain the light-sensitive outer segment organelle in mature photoreceptors. Ultimately, our research will provide a foundation to develop therapeutic strategies for patients suffering from inherited blindness. Complementary to her research program, Dr. Pearring is passionate about academic mentorship in STEM programs.

My research program centers on retinal photoreceptors, the sensory neurons (i.e. rods and cones) detecting photons of light that enter the eye. We study neuronal differentiation, migration, and ciliation of rod photoreceptors during retinal development as well as the molecular and cellular processes used to form and maintain the light-sensitive outer segment organelle of mature photoreceptors. Photoreceptor cell death is a hallmark of many inherited retinal degenerations in humans, and often the underlying genetic defect is associated with ciliary or photoreceptor-specific proteins. We aim to uncover important cellular processes in photoreceptors and how these processes go wrong during disease.