Vinit Mahajan, MD, PhD

Dr. Vinit Mahajan is a Professor of Ophthalmology at Stanford University and an internationally recognized vitreoretinal surgeon-scientist. He directs the NIH-funded Molecular Surgery and Omics Laboratory, which integrates genomics, proteomics, and phenomics to uncover molecular drivers of retinal disease and translate these discoveries into new therapies. His team identified the first gene causing non-syndromic uveitis, pioneered CRISPR-based gene editing for eye disease in human stem cells, and is developing targeted inhibitors for calpain-5. Dr. Mahajan has advanced precision medicine in ophthalmology through translational proteomics, using molecular biomarkers to diagnose retinal disease, guide personalized therapies, and map the anatomy of the human eye. Clinically, he is among a select group of surgeons performing gene therapy for retinal disease and has developed innovative surgical techniques for complex conditions including retinal detachment, macular disease, diabetic retinopathy, and pediatric retinal disorders. He has trained numerous fellows who practice worldwide and continues to provide second opinions for challenging cases. Dr. Mahajan completed his MD-PhD at UC Irvine, residency at UCLA’s Jules Stein Eye Institute, and fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery at the University of Iowa. Dr. Mahajan served as faculty at the University of Iowa beginning in 2008 before joining Stanford in 2017.