Dr. Rajesh Rao

Associate Professor

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Biography

Dr. Rajesh C. Rao is a physician-scientist and vitreoretinal surgeon holding the Leonard G. Miller Professorship at the University of Michigan. He is a tenured Associate Professor in the Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Pathology, and Human Genetics. Dr. Rao directs the Retina Service at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System. He earned his M.D. from Yale University and completed his residency in ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School. Following this, he pursued a two-year fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery at Washington University in St. Louis. His research focuses on stem cells, epigenetics, and retinal diseases, particularly age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Dr. Rao has led pioneering trials utilizing adult stem cells for retinal regeneration and is actively involved in assessing new therapeutic targets for clinical applications. He collaborates with various departments within the University of Michigan to advance understanding and treatment of retinal diseases, aiming to develop innovative clinical therapies that promote retinal regeneration.

Research Interests

Experience

Clinical Research Scientist

2013-01-01 — Present

VA Ann Arbor Healthsystem • Ann Arbor, MI

leads clinical trials focusing on retinal diseases and treatments.

Requirements for University of Michigan

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Total
Required:84
GRE General
Verbal
Required:155
Verbal Percentile
Required:50
Quantitative
Required:168
Quantitative Percentile
Required:50
Analytical Writing
Required:3.6
Writing Percentile
Required:50
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree in engineering, physics, or mathematics Calculus Physics
Application Checklist
  • Rackham Graduate School Application
  • Official Transcripts
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Personal Statement
  • CV/Resume
Specialization Notes

Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science