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Professor Ron Douglas

Professor Emeritus

School of Health & Medical Sciences Department of Optometry and Visual Science

Contact details

About

Overview

Ron is a biologist specialising in diverse aspects of the visual system of animals. He graduated with a BSc in Biological Sciences from the University of Sussex in 1977 and obtained a PhD on 'Spectral sensitivity and visual adaptation in the rainbow trout' from the University of Stirling in 1980. This was followed by a 2 year Royal Society post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Ulm (Germany) and a 15 month SERC funded fellowship at the University of Sussex, before joining City, University of London in January 1984.

Qualifications

  • PhD, University of Stirling, United Kingdom, August 1977 - July 1980
  • BSc (Biology), University of Sussex, United Kingdom, October 1973 - June 1977

Postgraduate training

  • SERC Fellowship, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom, August 1982 - December 1983
  • Royal Society European Fellow, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany, August 1980 - July 1984

Employment

  • Honorary Professor, University College London, United Kingdom, August 2012 - present
  • Reader, City, University of London, United Kingdom, 1992 - 1999
  • Senior Lecturer, City, University of London, United Kingdom, 1989 - 1992
  • Professor of Visual Science, City University London, United Kingdom, January 1984 - present
  • Lecturer, City, University of London, United Kingdom, 1984 - 1989

Administrative role

  • Coordinator optometry research ethics

Fellowships

  • Teaching Fellowship, Colour Group of Great Britain, September 2008 - September 2011
  • Fellowship, Linnean Society, London

Awards

  • AOP (2013). Lecturer of the Year Runner-Up
  • City, University of London (2003). City University Teaching Prize

Languages

Germanic languages (can read, write, speak, understand spoken, peer review)

Teaching

Undergradate Modules:

- OV1113 Introductory Biological Sciences (module leader)
- OV1015 Neural Biology and General Pathology
- OV2020 Visual Science

Research

Research overview

Ron's research covers 2 broad areas: Mammalian pupillometry and ocular adaptations in lower vertebrates.

Since 2001 he has used the pupil response of mice to monitor visual function in transgenic animals. Using this technique he has, in collaboration with colleagues in Oxford, Cardiff and Manchester, helped characterise a novel photoreceptor class in the mammalian retina, elucidated visual function in retinal mitochondrial disease and been involved with developing the use of retinal rod precursor cells to reverse retinal degeneration. Although not mammals, he has also examined the pupil responses of fish, cephalopods and frogs.

At school Ron's only talent was as a swimmer. By diverse routes this indirectly led to an interest in the way the eyes of various vertebrates, especially fish, have adapted to suit their environments. A particular interest has been the eyes of deep-sea animals living in the depths of the oceans, which has resulted in his participation in numerous research expeditions throughout the world's oceans. His interests cover; colour vision (especially in the ultraviolet), depth perception, circadian rhythms, lens pigmentation, visual pigments and ocular anatomy. Findings include; the use of chlorophyll to enhance longwave sensitivity in dragonfish, eyes that focus light using mirrors, and a relationship between latitude and the reliance on circadian clocks.

Grants

- Antarctic Funding Initiative (grant no. CGS6/12) - Visual ecology of Antarctic Myctophid fish (2004)
- Royal Society - 'The visual pigments of members of the family Myctophidae' (2007)
- Nuffield Foundation  - The visual pigments of the African clawed toad, Xenopus laevis' (2010)
- Royal Society - Aspects of the visual systems of mesopelagic deep-sea fish (ocular structure, visual pigments and optics) and possible light sensitivity of their lateral lines (2010)

Research centres

- Centre for Applied Vision Research

Principal collaborators

- Prof HJ Wagner (University of Tubingen)
- Prof NJ Marshall (University of Queensland)
- Prof JC Partridge (University of Western Australia)
- Prof G. Jeffery (UCL)
- Dr D Gower (Natural History Museum)

Publications

Featured publications

  1. MacLaren, R.E., Pearson, R.A., MacNeil, A., Douglas, R.H., Salt, T.E., Akimoto, M.... Ali, R.R. (2006). Retinal repair by transplantation of photoreceptor precursors. NATURE, 444(7116), pp. 203-207. doi:10.1038/nature05161

    [publisher’s website]

  2. Hattar, S., Lucas, R.J., Mrosovsky, N., Thompson, S., Douglas, R.H., Hankins, M.W.... Yau, K.W. (2003). Melanopsin and rod-cone photoreceptive systems account for all major accessory visual functions in mice. NATURE, 424(6944), pp. 76-81. doi:10.1038/nature01761

    [publisher’s website]

  3. Lucas, R.J., Douglas, R.H. and Foster, R.G. (2001). Characterization of an ocular photopigment capable of driving pupillary constriction in mice. NATURE NEUROSCIENCE, 4(6), pp. 621-626. doi:10.1038/88443

    [publisher’s website]

  4. Douglas, R.H., Partridge, J.C., Dulai, K., Hunt, D., Mullineaux, C.W., Tauber, A.Y.... Hynninen, P.H. (1998). Dragon fish see using chlorophyll. NATURE, 393(6684), pp. 423-424. doi:10.1038/30871

    [publisher’s website]

  5. PARTRIDGE, J.C. and DOUGLAS, R.H. (1995). FAR-RED SENSITIVITY OF DRAGON FISH. NATURE, 375(6526), pp. 21-22. doi:10.1038/375021a0

    [publisher’s website]

Publications by category

Books (5)

  • Marshall, J., Cronin, T., Johnsen, S., Douglas, R., Hurlbert, A., Boddy, J.... Cortesi, F. (2024). Color in Nature. Princeton University Press. ISBN 9780691258614.
  • Douglas, R.H., Moan, J. and Ronto, G. (1991). Light in Biology and Medicine 2. Douglas, R.H. and Moan, J. (Eds.), Plenum Press.
  • Valenzeno, D., Pottier, R., Mathis, P. and Douglas, R.H. (1991). Photobiological Techniques. Valenzeno, D., Pottier, R., Mathis, P. and Douglas, R.H. (Eds.), Plenum Press.
  • Douglas, R.H. and Djamgoz, M.B.A. (1990). The Visual System of Fish. Douglas, R.H. and Djamgoz, M.B.A. (Eds.), Chapman and Hall.
  • Douglas, R.H., Moan, J. and Dall'Acqua, (1988). Light in Biology and Medicine 1. Douglas, R.H., Moan, J. and Dall'Acqua, (Eds.), Plenum Press.

Chapters (17)

  • Douglas, R. (2020). Vision. In Currie, S. and Evans, D.H. (Eds.), The physiology of fishes (pp. 173-190). Boca Raton: CRC Press. ISBN 9780367477554.
  • Douglas, R.H. and Cronin, T.W. (2016). Visual Matched Filtering in Vertebrates. The Ecology of Animal Senses (pp. 169-203). Springer International Publishing. ISBN 9783319254906.
  • Douglas, R.H. and Partridge, J.C. (2011). Visual adaptat ions to the deep sea. In Farrell, A.P. (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Fish Physiology Academic Press. ISBN 9780123745453.
  • Douglas, R.H. and Partridge, J.C. (2011). VISION. Encyclopedia of Fish Physiology from Genome to Environment Volume 1 3 (pp. 166-182).
  • Douglas, R.H. (2010). Vision: Vertebrates. In Breed, M.D. and Moore, J. (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior Academic Pr. ISBN 9780080453330.
  • Lawrenson, J.G. and Douglas, R.H. (2008). The orbit and accessory visual apparatus. In Gray, H. and Hinkler Books Pty, L. (Eds.), Gray's Anatomy (pp. 665-674). ISBN 9781741827064.
  • Douglas, R.H. and Lawrenson, J.G. (2008). The eye. In Gray, H. and Hinkler Books Pty, L. (Eds.), Gray's Anatomy ISBN 9781741827064.
  • Douglas, R.H., Bowmaker, J.K. and Hunt, D.M. (2003). Spectral sensitivity tuning in the deep-sea. In Collin, S.P. (Ed.), Sensory Processing in the Aquatic Environment (pp. 323-342). Springer verlag.
  • Douglas, R.H., Bowmaker, J.K. and Mullineaux, C.W. (2002). A possible retinal longwave detecting system in a myctophid fish without far-red bioluminescence; evidence for a sensory arms race in the deep-sea. In Stanley, P.E. and Kricka, L.J. (Eds.), Bioluminescence and chemiluminescence; progress and current applications (pp. 391-394). New Jersey: World Scientific.
  • Douglas, R.H. (2001). Fish vision. In FRS, S.T. (Ed.), Encyclopedia of ocean sciences ISBN 9780122274329.
  • Douglas, R.H. (2001). The ecology of teleost visual pigments: a good example of sensory adaptation to the environment? In Barth, F.G. and Schmid, A. (Eds.), Ecology of sensing Springer Verlag. ISBN 9783540669012.
  • Douglas, R.H. and MarshaLL, N.J. (1999). A review of vertebrate and invertebrate ocular filters. In Archer, S.N., Djamgoz, M.B.A., Loew, E.R. and Partridge, J.C. (Eds.), Adaptive mechanisms in the ecology of vision Springer. ISBN 9780792353195.
  • Wagner, H.J., Kirsch, M. and Douglas, R.H. (1992). Light dependent and endogenous circadian control of adaptation in teleost retinae. In Ali, M.A. and Division, N.A.T.O.S.A. (Eds.), Rhythms in fishes Springer. ISBN 9780306443183.
  • Douglas, R.H. (1991). The aquatic environment as a natural laboratory for vision research: fish as a model system. In Covacci, R., Djamgoz, M.B.A. and Vallerga, S. (Eds.), Aspects of marine biology with an amphasis on the Mediterranean IMC Publications.
  • Douglas, R.H. (1991). Measurement of retinal function using the electroretinogram: effect of light/dark adaptation on frog spectral sensitivity. In Valenzeno, D., Pottier, R. and Mathis, P. (Eds.), Photobiological techniques Plenum Press.
  • Douglas, R.H. and Hawryshyn, C.W. (1990). Behavioural studies of fish vision: an analysis of their capabilities. In Douglas, R.H. and Djamgoz, M. (Eds.), The Visual system of fish Chapman & Hall. ISBN 9780412330506.
  • Douglas, R.H., Bowmaker, J.K. and Kunz, Y.W. (1989). Ultraviolet vision in fish. In Kulikowski, J.J., Dickinson, C.M. and Murray, I.J. (Eds.), Seeing contour and colour Pergamon.

Conference papers and proceedings (18)

  • Thomas, K.N., Gower, D.J., Streicher, J.W., Bell, R.C., Fujita, M.K., Schott, R.K.... Douglas, R.H. Ocular transmission across frog and toad diversity. .
  • Douglas, R. A review of the nature & role of pre‐receptoral, wavelength‐selective, ocular filters in vertebrates. .doi:10.1111/j.1755-3768.2017.02161
  • Davies, J.R., Douglas, R.H., Davies, V.J. and Quantock, A. Pupillary and visual dysfunction in OPA3 p.L122P mutation mouse model. .
  • Hasegawa, E., Toyama, M. and Douglas, R.H. Behavioural pattern and visual characteristics of myctophid fish. .
  • Hasegawa, E.I., Uchikawa, K., Sawada, K., Toyama, M. and Douglas, R.H. Behavioural pattern and visual characteristics of myctophid fish. .
  • Douglas, R.H., Bowmaker, J.K. and Mullineaux, C.W. A possible retinal longwave detecting system in a myctophid fish without far red bioluminescence; evidence for a sensory arms race in the deep-sea. .
  • Douglas, R.H., Mullineaux, C.W. and Partridge, J.C. Long-wave sensitivity in deep-sea stomiid dragonfish with far-red bioluminescence:: evidence for a dietary origin of the chlorophyll-derived retinal photosensitizer of Malacosteus niger. .doi:10.1098/rstb.2000.0681
  • Behrens, U.D., Douglas, R.H., Sugden, D. and Wagner, H.J. The effect of melatonergic drugs in horizontal cell spinule dynamics. .
  • Douglas, R.H. and Harper, R.D. The pupil response of a teleost fish, Porichthys notatus. .
  • Douglas, R.H. and Thorpe, A. Short-wave absorbing compounds in the ocular lenses of fish. .
  • Douglas, R.H. and Thorpe, A. Absorption of short-wave radiation by the vertebrate ocular media. .
  • Thorpe, A. and Douglas, R.H. Thje effect of age on ultraviolet absorbing pigments in the fish lens. .
  • Douglas, R.H., Then, E.M., Swainson, M. and Thorpe, A. Goldfish use visual angle to determine the distance of a food source from a familiar 'landmark'. .
  • Kirsch, M., Wagner, H.J. and Douglas, R.H. Different cone types are functionally coupled during retinomotor responses to monochromatic light stimuli. .
  • Douglas, R.H. Spectral sensitivity of a teleost fish, the roach. .
  • Douglas, R.H., Collett, T.S. and Finch, D.J. Accommodation in anuran amphibia. .
  • Douglas, R.H. and Wagner, H.J. Endogenous patterns of photomechanical movements in teleosts. .
  • Wagner, H.J. and Douglas, R.H. Morphological changes in teleost primary and secondary retinal cells following brief exposure to light. .

Journal articles (82)

Practitioners (7)

  • (2015). The eye: organ of space and time. Optician, pp. 24-30
  • (2009). Systematic diseases of old age. Optometry Today, pp. 28-36
  • (2002). Acoustic neuroma and its ocular implications. Optmetry Today, pp. 29-33
  • (1999). The ocular effects of drugs for parkinsonism. Optician, pp. 22-25
  • (1995). The retina; part 1. Optician, pp. 20-25
  • (1995). The retina; part 2. Optician, pp. 22-27
  • (1994). Melanin lenses. Optician, pp. 12-13

Scholarly editions (2)

  • Douglas, R.H. and Cronin, T.W. (2014). Seeing and doing: how vision shapes animal behaviour.
  • Douglas, R.H. (2007). Vision in fish.

Other

  • Douglas, R.(2010). Off-centre.

Professional activities

Editorial activity (4)

  • Editorial Board of Visual Neuroscience (2003-2015).
  • Guest editor of special issue of Visual Neuroscience on the Fish Visual System in 2006.
  • Guest editor (with TW Cronin) for Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society London B for a volume entitled 'Seeing and doing; how vision shapes animal behaviour' in 2013.
  • Editorial board of Scientific Reports since 2014.

Radio programmes (21)

  • BBC WM (Birmingham) (2014).
  • ORF (Austrian Radio) (2014).
  • Science in Action. BBC World Service (2009).
  • Science in Action. BBC World Service (2009).
  • The Naked Scientist. BBC Radio Cambridgeshire (2009).
  • The Material World. BBC Radio 4 (2009).
  • Quirks & Quarks. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (2009).
  • BBC Radio Pembrokeshire (2008).
  • Life in the Trenches. BBC Radio 4 (2007).
  • The Naked Scientist. BBC Radio Cambridgeshire (2007).
  • BBC Radio Shropshire (2007).
  • The Naked Scientist. BBC Radio Cambridgeshire (2006).
  • The Naked Scientist. BBC Radio Cambridgeshire (2006).
  • Nature. (2005).
  • Questions, Questions. BBC Radio 4 (2005).
  • Questions, Questions. BBC Radio 4 (2005).
  • Eye of nature, 3 programmes. BBC Radio 4 (2001).
  • BBC World Service (1997).
  • Natural History Programme. BBC radio 4 (1994).
  • SO4. BBC Radio 4 (1987).
  • BBC World Service (1983).

Television programmes (5)

  • In search of colour. BBC4 (2015). Contirbutor explaining the use of U V by bees, raptors and birds
  • Super senses. BBC2 (2014). credited adviser for programme on animal senses
  • Private lives of cats. ITV (2014). credited adviser on programme on cat behaviour
  • cats. CBC (2014). contributor to programme on the lives of cats
  • One strange rock. National Geographic advisor on UV vision and fluorescence

Other (3)

  • Scientific advisor to 3 exhibitions; The Deep, Colour and Vision, Life in the Dark , Natural History Museum, London ( 2010 - 2019).
  • Public Understanding of Science , 84 lectures to various organisations (e.g. schools, science festivals, WIs, Pint of Science, Cafe Scientifique, Guerilla Science etc.) .
  • Academic lectures to publicise research , 119 lectures at international conferences and universities. Most recently; Ernst Abbe Hochschule (Jena) and the British Association of Veterinary Ophthalmologists. .