Dr. Maria Cristina Kenney

Dr. Cristina Kenney is a Professor and Director of the Mitochondria Research Laboratory at the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, UC Irvine School of Medicine, overseeing the various eye-related research projects at that institution. She is a highly accomplished clinician scientist and is recognized as a leader in the fields of genetic and biological research related to disorders of the retina and cornea. The recipient of numerous research awards from the National Institutes of Health and private foundations for her work in macular degeneration, keratoconus, and study of other eye diseases, Dr. Kenney has been with the Discovery Eye Foundation for more than 20 years. Currently, she is conducting research into the genetic abnormalities associated with the development and progression of age-related macular degeneration. In addition, she investigates the roles that cigarette smoking and cholesterol play in the development of the disease.