International Center for Ocular Physiopathology (ICOP), Fondazione Banca Degli Occhi Del Veneto, Venice, Italy.

Mr. Parekh received his Masters in Industrial and Commercial Biotechnology from Newcastle University, UK, in 2010 with a thesis on “Bioprocessing of human limbal stem cells”. He is currently pursuing a PhD from the University of Padova, Italy, with a project aiming at culturing primary corneal endothelial cells in vitro. He is also working as a research scientist at the The Veneto Eye Bank Foundation, Italy, the largest eye bank in Europe. His current projects include development of corneal preservation media, new solutions for DMEK tissue preparation and surgery, R&D of corneal biomechanics, human corneal endothelial cell culture and studying genetics of age related macular degeneration. He has published several research and review articles in peer-reviewed journals and text book chapters. He has also been a speaker at various international conferences.