Ashay D. Bhatwadekar, PhD

Ashay Bhatwadekar, PhD, is an Associate Professor at Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology with a secondary appointment in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. He is an adjunct Associate Professor of the Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University. He is also a licensed pharmacist in Indiana. From his lab at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, he studies the pathogenic mechanism and develops newer treatments for the most common complications of long-term diabetes, diabetic retinopathy.

A routine eye exam put Dr. Bhatwadekar on the path toward researching diabetic retinopathy—a diabetic condition in which fluid and blood leaking from blood vessels in the eye damage the retina. When he learned from his optometrist that there was no cure, he was inspired to study the condition and its implications.

Dr. Bhatwadekar's academic journey began in India at Amravati University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in pharmacy. He then pursued his doctorate in biomedical science at Queen’s University in Belfast, gaining a diverse international perspective. His post-doctoral experience at the University of Florida further enriched his knowledge before he joined the IU School of Medicine. 

Dr. Bhatwadekar's research interests are diverse and impactful. In addition to his work on diabetic retinopathy, he also studies retinal Müller cell dysfunction and the effects of disrupted circadian rhythm on vision. His work has been recognized and supported by grants from prestigious organizations such as the NIH/NEI R01 International Retinal Research Foundation and the Showalter Research Trust. He has also contributed to the field by serving on federal and charitable trust review panels and as a reviewer for numerous journals focusing on diabetes and eye research.