Laura Belen, MS
Expert in Preclinical Ophthalmology, Ocular Model Development, and Technical Training
Laura Belen, MS
Expert in Preclinical Ophthalmology, Ocular Model Development, and Technical Training
Professional Summary
Laura Belen is a preclinical ophthalmology scientist with more than 16 years of hands-on experience supporting ocular drug development from early discovery through IND-enabling programs. Her career spans study direction, ocular model development, specialized routes of administration, ophthalmic examinations and imaging, data analysis, and program management across a broad range of ocular indications and species. Laura has developed and validated models of dry eye, allergy, uveitis, glaucoma, wet AMD, and other ocular conditions, while building proficiency in technically demanding procedures such as subretinal delivery and complex ocular dissections.
Laura brings a practical, problem-solving perspective shaped by years of performing, troubleshooting, and overseeing preclinical ophthalmology studies. She works across the lifecycle of a program, helping teams determine how to approach a scientific question, establish reliable techniques and endpoints, coordinate external research partners, interpret ophthalmic findings, and translate nonclinical results into clear development documentation. Her combination of technical execution and project leadership allows her to identify challenges at both the bench and program level, particularly when a study or development program needs a clear path forward.
Core Competencies
- Ocular Model Development & Refinement: Developing and optimizing preclinical ophthalmic models and clinically relevant endpoints across indications including dry eye, allergy, uveitis, glaucoma, and both wet and dry AMD.
- Targeted Ocular Dosing & Procedural Techniques: Performing specialized ocular procedures across species, including intravitreal, subretinal, intracameral, and subconjunctival delivery, anterior chamber paracentesis, and complex ocular dissections.
- Ophthalmic Assessment, Imaging & Data Interpretation: Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting ophthalmic examination, imaging, and electrophysiology data using OCT, fundus imaging, fluorescein angiography, ERG, slit-lamp examination, indirect ophthalmoscopy, tonometry, and standardized clinical grading systems.
- Technical Training & Capability Development: Training research teams in ocular dosing, ophthalmic examinations, ERG, OCT, tonometry, clinical evaluation, and model development through hands-on instruction focused on technical proficiency and reproducibility.
- Study Design, Execution & Program Management: Supporting ocular programs through experimental design, protocol development, study direction, CRO and vendor oversight, study monitoring, and coordination of nonclinical timelines and deliverables.
- Nonclinical Data & IND Submission Support: Analyzing and translating nonclinical findings into clear development documentation, including data interpretation, study reporting, and Module 2 content supporting IND submissions.
Personal Philosophy
Laura believes strong preclinical ophthalmology combines technical proficiency with the judgment that comes from sustained hands-on experience. She is motivated by solving difficult problems and helping teams move programs from concept toward the clinic, whether through refining a technique, strengthening a study design, interpreting complex data, or translating nonclinical findings into a clear development narrative. Animal welfare is central to that approach, and she views the 3Rs as an active scientific responsibility rather than simply a compliance requirement. Through thoughtful study design and hands-on training, Laura strives to improve reproducibility, minimize unnecessary animal use, and equip research teams with the skills and confidence to build lasting ophthalmology capabilities.