Dr. Nancy Mcnamara

Biography

Dr. Nancy McNamara serves as a Professor and Associate Dean at the UC Berkeley School of Optometry, where she leads research on dry eye disease, particularly its pathogenesis and treatment. She has focused her career on understanding the complex interplay of mucosal immunity and epithelial cells, conducting significant studies on tear film physiology and corneal health. Her early research at the University of California, Berkeley, underlined the barrier functions of the ocular surface epithelium. Following her postdoctoral training at the University of California, San Francisco, Dr. McNamara explored the upregulation of anti-microbial peptides in response to bacterial infections, contributing to knowledge in the field of ocular surface diseases. Her laboratory has made groundbreaking discoveries in Sjögren’s syndrome and dry eye pathogenesis, unveiling the critical roles of immune mechanisms and identifying potential therapeutic targets. The innovative work includes collaboration with other research institutions and has led to the development of the bioactive peptide lacritin, showing promising results in improving ocular surface integrity and tear secretion in Sjögren’s patients. She plays a pivotal role in clinical research projects and contributes actively to understanding neuropathic changes that contribute to dry eye progression. Dr. McNamara's extensive publication record underscores her impact in ocular biology and her leadership in advancing knowledge within the field.

Research Interests