Since beginning his work at Stanford in 2013, E.J. Chichilnisky is the John R. Adler Professor of Neurosurgery, and Professor of Ophthalmology. Previously, he worked for 15 years at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. He completed his B.A. in Mathematics at Princeton University, and obtained his M.S. in mathematics and Ph.D. in neuroscience from Stanford University. His research has focused on elucidating the spatiotemporal patterns of electrical activity in the retina which convey visual information to the brain, and their origins in retinal circuitry. This is often done through the use of large-scale multi-electrode recordings. His ongoing work currently focuses on combining basic science knowledge along with electrical stimulation in order to develop a novel high-fidelity artificial retina for the treatment of incurable blindness.

Experience

• Director

  Stanford Artificial Retina Project

• Professor (2013 - present)

  Chichilnisky Lab

  Stanford University

  Stanford Artificial Retina Project

• Scientific Advisor (2019 - 2024)

  Pixium Vision

• Professor (1998 - 2013)

  Salk Institute

Education

• PhD, Neuroscience (1990 - 1995)

  Stanford University

• BS, Mathematics (1982 - 1985)

  Princeton University

Honors & Awards

• Stein Innovation Award, Research to Prevent Blindness (2018)
• Sayer Vision Research Award, Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (2014)
• John R. Adler Endowed Chair, Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University (2014)
• Ralph & Becky O’Connor Endowed Chair, Salk Institute for Biological Studies (2012)
• McKnight Technological Innovation in Neuroscience Award, McKnight Foundation (2004)
• Basic Sciences Teaching Award, UCSD School of Medicine (2001)
• McKnight Scholar’s Award, McKnight Foundation (2001)
• Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Research Fellowship, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation (2000)