Patricia A. D'Amore, Ph.D., MBA

Dr. D’Amore is a Professor of Ophthalmology and Pathology at Harvard Medical School. She is the Director of the Howe Laboratory and the Associate Chief for Ophthalmology Basic and Translational Research in the Department of Ophthalmology. She also served as the Director of Research at the Schepens Eye Research Institute. Prof D'Amore is an internationally recognized expert of vascular growth and development, and has been at the forefront of angiogenesis research for over three decades. Among her foremost achievements are her contributions to the development of anti-angiogenic therapy for retinal disease. Her current research focuses on understanding the regulation of the development and stabilization of the microvasculature. She is also investigating the pathogenesis of AMD with a focus on inflammation. She is the recipient of numerous awards and honors.

I had the opportunity to collaborate with Prof D'Amore during my Postdoc at the Langer lab at MIT focusing on engineering 3D vascularized tissues, and exploring endothelial network formation in our 3D constructs. Introduced by Professor Langer, Prof D’Amore generously shared her expertise in EC and mural cell co-culture. Connecting me with her Postdoc, Diane Darland, she provided me essential guidance. I successfully applied this knowledge to tri-cultures involving skeletal myoblasts on 3D scaffolds to create vascularized skeletal muscle tissue constructs. This marked the beginning of my journey into tissue vascularization. I deeply appreciate Prof D’Amore willingness to assist me as a young researcher, guiding me and supporting me throughout my academic endeavors. Her inspiring mentorship and dedication make her not only a remarkable scientist but also a role model for me, showcasing the importance of kindness, willingness to help, and support for younger scientists.

Submitted by Shulamit Levenberg