Fletcher

Biography

Erica Fletcher is Professor in the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, at The University of Melbourne where she heads the Visual Neuroscience Laboratory.  She is a clinically trained optometrist who holds both MSc and PhD degrees. Prof Fletcher’s interest in the mechanisms of photoreceptor degeneration stem back to her doctoral studies, which were completed under the supervision of Prof Michael Kalloniatis at the University of Melbourne. In 1996, Prof Fletcher was awarded a highly coveted, CJ Martin Award from the NH&MRC (Australia) to undertake her post-doctoral training with Prof. Dr. Heinz Wässle, at the Max-Planck Institute for Brain Research in Frankfurt, Germany. Prof Fletcher was appointed to an academic position in 2000 at The University of Melbourne. Since 2000, Prof Fletcher has had received considerable research funding primarily from the NH&MRC and also a number of international funding agencies, published widely in a range of high impact journals, whilst maintaining a teaching load and mentoring of research personnel. In addition Prof Fletcher serves on a number of editorial boards, provides leadership within optometry by serving on boards of management, as well as serving the research community through NHMRC advisory panels. In 2006 she was awarded the Irvin M and Beatrice Borish Award from the American Academy of Optometry for her contribution to vision research. Prof Fletcher’s research interests remain primarily focussed on understanding the causes of retinal diseases especially Age Related Macular Degeneration.

Research Interest

Pharma & Healthcare