Posts by Rachel M. Huckfeldt, MD, PhD
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Advancing Treatments for Inherited Retinal Diseases
Rachel M. Huckfeldt, MD, PhD, at Mass Eye and Ear/Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Ophthalmology, discusses how she and her colleagues work collaboratively to better understand the genetic basis of inherited retinal diseases and work towards genetic treatments, including gene replacement and genome editing.
Biography
Dr. Rachel Huckfeldt is a full-time member of the Inherited Retinal Disorders Service at Mass. Eye and Ear. She is a retina specialist with expertise in inherited retinal degenerations as well as conditions including age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
Dr. Huckfeldt graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, summa cum laude, with a BA in Biology and Psychology. Subsequently, she earned her MD and PhD in Neuroscience at Washington University. Next, she completed her ophthalmology residency in Harvard Medical School’s Department of Ophthalmology. Before returning to Mass. Eye and Ear, she completed a postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Therapeutics for Inherited Retinal Diseases with Dr. Jean Bennett at the University of Pennsylvania as well as a Medical Retina Fellowship at the University of Iowa. She completed a clinical and research fellowship in inherited retinal degenerations under the guidance of Dr. Eric Pierce, supported by a Foundation Fighting Blindness Clinical/ Research Fellowship Award.
Dr. Huckfeldt has received numerous honors and awards. In particular, she was selected to attend the Heed Resident’s Retreat, later received a Heed Fellowship, and also received an Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology/National Eye Institute travel grant.
Mass Eye and Ear/Mass General Ophthalmology
An international center for ophthalmology treatment and research, Mass Eye and Ear/Massachusetts General Hospital is the primary teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School’s Department of Ophthalmology, and is consistently recognized as one of the nation’s top hospitals for eye care. Led by Chief and Chair Joan W. Miller, MD, the department provides seamless access to the most innovative care available anywhere in the world.
