Mariusz Zareba, Ph.D.

Bio

Mariusz Zareba graduated from one of the oldest universities in Europe – Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. He received his Ph.D. from the same institution in 1999 while he was researching the role of neuromelanin in etiology of Parkinson’s disease. Melanins, and particularly their role in oxidative stress-related biological processes, were Mariusz’s subject of interest for many years. In the mid 2000s he joined the Department of Ophthalmology at the Medical College of Wisconsin where he started to use advanced microscopic techniques, such as live cell imaging, to study the role of melanosomes in Retinal Pigment Epithelium. His research was primarily focused on the protective role of melanosomes in the context of Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

During his years at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Mariusz studied primary cells isolated from human and animal ocular tissues, as well as various cell lines, and he developed a passion for exploring living systems with various microscopic techniques. Interest in collecting images of microscopic objects is complemented by Mariusz’s other passion- photography.

Later on, Mariusz managed several microscopes (including live cell imaging, confocal and super-resolution) in the Department of Ophthalmology and Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy. He collaborated with both clinical and basic science investigators and helped them with experimental and imaging work. He joined Dr. Eva Johannes in CMIF in October 2017.