FY2026 HMDP Visiting Expert in in Medical Genetics and Precision Medicine; Neuro Opthalmology - Patrick Yu Wai Man

Professor Patrick Yu Wai Man is an internationally renowned neuro-ophthalmologist and clinician-scientist whose pioneering work has transformed the understanding and treatment of inherited optic neuropathies and mitochondrial eye diseases. He is Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Cambridge and Director of the Cambridge Clinical Vision Laboratory, where he leads translational research focused on genetic eye disorders and neurodegenerative vision loss. In addition to his academic leadership at Cambridge, Professor Yu Wai Man holds honorary consultant appointments at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Addenbrooke’s Hospital, contributing to one of the United Kingdom’s leading referral centres for inherited optic neuropathies and mitochondrial eye diseases.

Widely recognised as one of the world’s leading experts on Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), Professor Yu Wai Man has played a central role in the development and clinical translation of gene therapy for this mitochondrial disorder. He has served as Chief investigator in several landmark international LHON gene therapy trials evaluating lenadogene nolparvovec (LUMEVOQ®), including the Phase III RESCUE, REVERSE, REFLECT, and long-term RESTORE studies. These trials were among the first large-scale studies to investigate gene therapy for ND4-LHON patients and have provided important evidence demonstrating sustained visual improvement and long-term safety outcomes following treatment.

An author or more than 250 peer-reviewed reviewed scientific publications, Professor Yu Wai Man has received international recognition for his contributions to neuro-ophthalmology, mitochondrial medicine, and gene therapy research. He was awarded the 2023 Ludwig von Sallmann Clinician-Scientist Award by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) in recognition of his pioneering work on gene replacement therapy for LHON. He currently serves as President of the European Association for Vision and Eye Research (EVER) and as Trustee on the Board of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).

Professor Yu Wai Man’s research integrates mitochondrial genetics, advanced ocular imaging stem cell biology, and precision medicine approaches to improve diagnosis, monitor disease progression, and accelerate the development of novel therapies for inherited optic neuropathies. His work has been instrumental in translating laboratory discoveries into first-in-human and multicentre clinical applications, helping to establish gene therapy as a promising treatment strategy for these previously untreatable disorders. He is also deeply committed to fostering international collaboration and mentoring the next generation of clinician-scientists in vision science and neurogenetics.

Programme: Patrick Yu Wai Man [PDF, 278.36 KB]

Contact person:

Ms Faazilah Farveen – faazilah.farveen.nasar@snec.com.sg

Ms Jayna Wong – jayna.wong.q.y@snec.com.sg