Yuhua Zhang, PhD, Named Chairholder of the Carolyn and Chuck Miller Endowed Chair for Vision Research

Prestigious appointment recognizes Zhang's leadership in developing advanced retinal imaging technologies at Doheny Eye Institute

Apr. 20, 2026 at 3:19am

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A highly textured, abstract painting in soft earth tones, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the complex biological mechanisms within the human eye that are the focus of groundbreaking vision research.An abstract artistic rendering of the eye's intricate biological structures, visualizing the pioneering retinal imaging research that is advancing the understanding and treatment of vision-threatening diseases.Pasadena Today

Doheny Eye Institute named Yuhua Zhang, PhD, chairholder of the Carolyn and Chuck Miller Endowed Chair for Vision Research. Dr. Zhang is a Professor of Ophthalmology at UCLA and a Principal Investigator leading a research lab at Doheny, where he is internationally recognized for developing advanced retinal imaging technologies that enable studying retinal structure, metabolism, and microvascular function in the living eye.

Why it matters

Dr. Zhang's work has advanced understanding of diseases like age-related macular degeneration, diabetes, and disorders affecting the brain's small blood vessels. This endowed chair position will further support the innovative imaging technologies his lab is developing, which are helping drive forward the understanding of the human eye and the diseases that lead to vision loss.

The details

At Doheny, Dr. Zhang leads a multidisciplinary team developing next-generation imaging tools capable of capturing individual retinal cells with molecular contrast and blood flow in the tiny vessels of the retina. These innovations are revealing early biological changes associated with vision loss, helping pave the way for earlier diagnosis and improved treatment of blinding eye diseases.

  • Dr. Zhang joined Doheny and UCLA in 2018.

The players

Yuhua Zhang, PhD

A Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Principal Investigator leading a research laboratory at Doheny Eye Institute, where he is internationally recognized for developing advanced retinal imaging technologies.

Carolyn Miller

A dedicated philanthropist and civic leader who established the Carolyn and Chuck Miller Endowed Chair for Vision Research to honor her late husband, Charles D. Miller, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Avery Dennison.

Charles D. Miller

The former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Avery Dennison, who lived with age-related macular degeneration and whose legacy is being honored through the endowed chair.

Deborah Ferrington, PhD

The Chief Scientific Officer at Doheny Eye Institute, who praised Dr. Zhang's pioneering work in developing imaging tools that can help diagnose disease earlier and support the understanding of the biological mechanisms that lead to vision loss.

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What they’re saying

“I am honored to receive the Carolyn and Chuck Miller Endowed Chair for Vision Research. This position will further support the innovative technologies my lab is developing, which will help drive forward our understanding of the human eye and the diseases that lead to vision loss.”

— Yuhua Zhang, PhD, Professor of Ophthalmology, UCLA

“Dr. Zhang conducts pioneering work in developing imaging tools that scientists and ophthalmologists can utilize to see the eye with incredible resolution, diagnose disease earlier and support our understanding of the biological mechanisms that lead to vision loss. His work supports the development of future therapies that could help prevent vision loss altogether.”

— Deborah Ferrington, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, Doheny Eye Institute

“Establishing this endowed chair continues the legacy of my husband, Charles Miller, who championed innovation and technology. Supporting Doheny Eye Institute – and Dr. Zhang – in their continued efforts to make life-changing advancements at the same campus in Pasadena where my husband once worked is something I am proud to contribute to.”

— Carolyn Miller

The takeaway

Dr. Zhang's pioneering work in advanced retinal imaging is helping drive forward the understanding of the human eye and the diseases that lead to vision loss, paving the way for earlier diagnosis and improved treatment of blinding eye conditions.