At the University of Iowa, where clinical care and scientific discovery are deeply intertwined, Lola Lozano stands out as a rising physician-scientist making meaningful contributions to the understanding of ocular disease. As a student in the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), Lozano has spent years bridging laboratory research and clinical insight—work that is now culminating in her doctoral thesis defense.
“Lola is a superstar MSTP student who has been working with us in the lab for the last several years,” said Dr. Elaine Binkley, who has mentored Lozano alongside Dr. Budd Tucker. “Her thesis is the culmination of years of dedication and impactful work.”
Her thesis, “Inherited ocular tumor predisposition syndromes and dissecting the mechanism of MEK-inhibitor Associated Retinopathy,” reflects both the depth and breadth of her research interests, spanning genetic eye diseases, cancer biology, and drug-related retinal toxicity.
Investigating Vision Loss in Cancer Therapy
A central focus of Lozano’s recent work has been MEK inhibitor–associated retinopathy, a vision-threatening side effect experienced by some cancer patients undergoing targeted therapy. Through innovative laboratory models using human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, Lozano has helped develop new ways to study how these drugs affect the retina.
Dr. Binkley highlighted the significance of this work: “These manuscripts are the culmination of several years of hard work in the lab and will hopefully help lead to a better understanding of how to prevent vision loss in cancer patients treated with MEK inhibitors.”
Her manuscript, “Modeling MEK-inhibitor Associated Retinopathy in vitro…”, represents a significant step toward understanding the cellular mechanisms behind this condition, while a second study using patient-derived cells explores why some individuals are more susceptible than others.
Contributions to Genetic and Ocular Disease Research
Beyond drug-related retinal disease, Lozano has built a strong body of work in inherited ocular tumor syndromes, particularly von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. In clinical research, she has co-authored studies examining how these rare genetic conditions manifest in the eye and affect patients over time.
One notable case report describes a rare presentation of VHL disease identified through retinal findings, underscoring how ophthalmologic exams can reveal systemic disease.
Lozano has also contributed to research on emerging therapies. In a recent study on the drug belzutifan, she helped demonstrate its potential to control retinal tumors and reduce vision loss in patients with VHL disease.
Leading Scholarly Work in the Field
In addition to her original research, Lozano is the lead author of a comprehensive review published in Progress in Retinal and Eye Research, a high-impact journal in ophthalmology.
The review synthesizes current knowledge of inherited tumor syndromes with ocular involvement and highlights how advances in genetics and disease modeling are paving the way for more targeted therapies.
Looking Ahead
Currently, Lozano is extending her research into animal models, working to better understand the mechanisms behind ocular tumors in VHL disease. This next phase of her work aims to uncover biological pathways that could lead to new treatments.
As she prepares to defend her thesis, Lozano’s work exemplifies the mission of the MSTP: translating scientific discovery into improved patient care. With a growing body of impactful research and a clear vision for the future, she is well positioned to make lasting contributions to ophthalmology and medicine.