Dr. Demetrios G. Vavvas is the Solman and Libe Friedman Professor of Ophthalmology, at Mass General Brigham/Mass. Eye and Ear, Associate Director Retina Service MEE and Co-Director Ocular Regenerative Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School.

His laboratory has elucidated the role of LAMP2 in retina extracellular deposit formation and the redundant and complimentary role of RIPK regulated cell death in retinal degenerations and explained why apoptosis blockade alone has failed to succeed in neuroprotection. His work has shown that simultaneous inhibition of RIP kinase and caspase pathways is necessary for effective neuroprotection to be applied in neurodegeneration as well as in enhancing efficacy in gene therapy and neuroregeneration.

Clinically he has developed new approaches for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients and he was first to describe transconjuctival minimally invasive surgery for repairing cataract surgery complications and intraocular foreign body trauma; now the mainstay of surgical approach for these conditions worldwide.

He has won multiple awards, has published more than 250 peer reviewed manuscripts and several book chapters. His work has resulted in 12 patent fillings with 6 issued and 6 pending.