Emily Chew, MD, Recognized as NIH Distinguished Investigator
Emily Chew, MD, has recently been elevated to the esteemed position of NIH Distinguished Investigator in recognition of her significant contributions as a care provider and clinical trialist.
In her current role, Dr. Chew serves as the director of the Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications (DECA) at the National Eye Institute (NEI), where she oversees various aspects of eye health. As an accomplished ophthalmologist, her specialized focus lies in addressing conditions affecting the retina. Dr. Chew has been pivotal in advancing clinical studies aimed at comprehending, preventing, and treating vascular diseases of the retina, with a primary emphasis on age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR)—two prevalent causes of vision impairment in the United States.
Of noteworthy mention are Dr. Chew's integral roles in several expansive and enduring clinical trials, such as the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study, the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), the Actions to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Study, and the Age-related Eye Disease Study 2. The outcomes of these trials have ushered in significant progress in developing strategies to safeguard vision from ocular diseases.
Dr. Chew's educational background includes completing medical school and residency training in ophthalmology at the University of Toronto, followed by a fellowship in medical retina at Johns Hopkins University. Her association with the NEI commenced in 1987 when she joined as a visiting scientist. Over the years, she has assumed various roles, including deputy director of DECA, deputy clinical director, and chief of the NEI Clinical Trials Branch.
From 2002 to 2017, Dr. Chew held the position of director of NEI's medical retina fellowship program. Her impactful mentorship has guided over 70 clinical trainees, and she boasts authorship of more than 400 peer-reviewed journal articles, along with numerous editorials and book chapters.
