Dr Daniel Urrutia-Cabrera, from the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA), has been named Retina Australia’s 2026 Emerging Scientist for his work on cellular reprogramming to produce new photoreceptors.
The AU$1,000 award recognises early-career researchers who show excellence in research, leadership and advocacy in inherited retinal disease.
Dr Urrutia-Cabrera’s said his research “uses combinations of genes to rewrite the identity of cells, which has allowed us to create a technology to produce new photoreceptors”.
“We are working closely with consumer and industry partners to take our technology into clinical trials within the next five years,” Dr Urrutia-Cabrera said.
He said he was “truly honoured” to receive the Emerging Scientist Award as the “validation gives me huge confidence in my path as an early-career researcher”.
Retina Australia Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Brookes said: “Dr Urrutia-Cabrera’s work is the kind of early-career research Retina Australia exists to back. We are proud to recognise it, and we look forward to following his progress.”
Dr Urrutia-Cabrera will present his research at a Retina Australia webinar on Wednesday 18 November 2026.
