Mark Rosenblatt

Dr. Mark Rosenblatt

Dr. Mark Rosenblatt, G. Stephen Irwin Executive Dean of the College of Medicine, is a clinician-scientist who studies regeneration of the cornea. Rosenblatt is also the chief executive officer of the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System.

Rosenblatt’s clinical practice focuses on laser vision-correction surgery and the treatment of cataracts and corneal disease. His research into new techniques for regenerating lost or damaged corneal nerves and tissue using stem cells has received extensive funding, including grants from the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation, the New York Stem Cell Initiative, and the Tri-Institutional Institute for Stem Cell Biology.

Rosenblatt is developing innovative techniques to convert skin stem cells into corneal epithelial stem cells to use to repair corneas damaged because of chronic dry eye, long term contact lens use, or trauma. He also is investigating the use of silk film biomaterials to help reconstruct the ocular surface.