Steven J. Fliesler

Steven J. Fliesler is a distinguished American biochemist and researcher renowned for his contributions to the field of ophthalmology. He currently holds the title of SUNY Distinguished Professor and serves as the Meyer H. Riwchun Endowed Chair Professor of Ophthalmology at the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (SUNY). Additionally, he also serves as the Vice-Chair for Research in the Department of Ophthalmology and acts as the Director of the Ira G. Ross Eye Institute Vision Research Center at the Buffalo VA Medical Center, VA Western NY Healthcare System (VAWNYHS), in Buffalo, NY. Education Fliesler earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Rice University in May 1980 and his B.A. in Biochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley in December 1973. He pursued further professional training through an N.R.S.A. Postdoctoral research fellowship in Retinal Biochemistry at the Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX from 1979 to 1982. Meyer H. Riwchun Endowed Chair Professor of Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York (2008-present) Elected member, Society of Eye Journal Editors (SEJE) (2025-present)

Honors and awards

2002: Chancellor's Award in Neuroscience Lecturer, LSU School of Medicine. 2007: Senior Scientific Investigator Award, Research to Prevent Blindness. 2014: Gold Tier Fellow of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (FARVO). 2014: UB Distinguished Professor, University at Buffalo/SUNY. 2017: Dean's Award in Ophthalmology and Neuroscience, LSU School of Medicine. 2018: SUNY Distinguished Professor, University at Buffalo/SUNY. 2018-19: President, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO). 2023: Chancellor's Award Lecture in Ophthalmology & Neuroscience, LSU Health Sciences Center, Neuroscience Center of Excellence. American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB). Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).

Selected publications

Cholesterol homeostasis in the vertebrate retina: Biology and pathobiology. Journal of Lipid Research. 2021; 62. Rapid retinal degeneration caused by rod-specific Dhdds ablation without concomitant inhibition of protein N-glycosylation. iScience 2020; 23. Oxysterols and retinal degeneration in a rat model of Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome: Implications for an improved therapeutic intervention. Molecules. 2018; 23(10). Compromised phagosome maturation underlies RPE pathology in cell culture and whole animal models of Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome. Autophagy. 2018; 14(10). Prevention of retinal degeneration in a rat model of Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome. Scientific Reports. 2018; 8(1). Differential cytotoxic effects of 7-dehydrocholesterol-derived oxysterols on cultured retina-derived cells: Dependence on sterol structure, cell type, and density. Exp Eye Res. 2016; 145. Membrane morphogenesis in retinal rod outer segments: inhibition by tunicamycin. Journal of Cell Biology. 1985; 100. Photoreceptor-specific degeneration caused by tunicamycin. Nature (London). 1984; 311. Chemistry and metabolism of lipids in the vertebrate retina. Progress in Lipid Research. 1983; 22. Metabolism of mevalonic acid in cell-free homogenates of bovine retinas: formation of novel isoprenoid acids. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 1983; 258.