Biography

Dr. May Griffith is a Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at the Université de Montréal. MG earned her Ph.D. from the University of Toronto and completed postdoctoral research in Developmental Cell Biology at the University of Alberta and Harvard Medical School in Boston, USA. MG also has a Master's degree in Business Administration, which allows her to combine her business and science backgrounds. She has consulted on technology transfer, research and development planning, and start-up assistance with various organizations.

MG holds the Canada Research Chair in Biomaterials and Stem Cells in Ophthalmology, the Caroline Durand Foundation Research Chair in Cellular Therapy of the Eye and is Director of the Cornea and Anterior Segment Axis of the Quebec Vision Health Research Network.

MG is known for her pioneering work in translational regenerative medicine and in situ tissue regeneration. MG, Per Fagerholm and their team developed the world’s first cell-free biosynthetic corneal implants that promoted human corneal tissue and nerve regeneration in a human clinical trial in Sweden. Since then, she and Virender Sangwan completed a second clinical trial with biosynthetic corneal implants containing an inflammation-suppressing polymer network on high-risk patients. Most recently, MG and her team developed a synthetic, biocompatible and adhesive liquid hydrogel (LiQD Cornea) for repairing corneal defects and perforations. LiQD Cornea is applied as a liquid, but quickly adheres and gels within corneal tissue defects. Then, its similarity at a molecular level to a natural tissue framework promotes tissue regeneration, treating corneal perforations effectively without the need for transplantation. MG continues her bench-to-bedside work in cornea regeneration, developing biomimetic biomaterials for regenerative medicine to meet unmet medical needs.

Awards and Recognition

• Canada Research Chair Tier 1 in Biomaterials and Stem Cells in Ophthalmology (2019)

• Caroline Durand Foundation Research Chair in Cellular Therapy in the Eye – Univ. of Montreal (2016, renewed 2021)

• EU Technology Platform for Nanomedicine 2013 award for Regenerative Medicine for I-CARE ERA-net project (as coordinator)

• Ottawa Center for Research and Innovation (OCRI) Life Sciences Research Award (2007)

• The Top 40 Canadians Under 40 (2001)

• Premier's Research Excellence Award (2000)

• Young Researcher of the Year, University of Ottawa (2000)

• Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) - Faculty of Medicine Prizes (1993 - 1998)

Training

1997 - MBA - Business Administration - University of Ottawa
1993 - Postdoctoral fellowship - Biology and other related sciences, Anatomy - Harvard Medical School
1990 - Postdoctoral Training - Physiology - University of Alberta
1990 - PhD - Anatomy - University of Toronto
1985 - MSc - Biology and Other Related Sciences - University of Toronto
1984 - BSc - Biology and Other Related Sciences - University of Toronto

Publications

Full Publication List: PubMed