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Brea Brennan is a PhD Candidate at the McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin–Madison, with a focus on ocular computer vision within biomedical engineering. Her research investigates the mechanisms affecting the functionality of retina photoreceptors and their vasculature in individuals suffering from type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Brennan's work employs in vivo functional imaging techniques, such as intensity-based optoretinography (iORG) and adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy, to assess the physiological changes that occur in the retina and the associated vascular response. By analyzing reflectance changes in photoreceptors and evaluating neurovascular coupling—where neuronal activity influences blood flow in retinal vessels—she aims to comprehend the functional alterations that precede structural changes seen in T1DM. Her research includes both human studies and animal models, specifically tree shrews, to provide insights into the functional dynamics of retinal structures affected by diabetes. Through her work, she strives to enhance our understanding of retinal pathology in diabetic individuals.
Department: Department of Computer Sciences