About SNAPS & Gemstone
Meet the undergraduate researchers studying how the retina responds to optic nerve injury.
Who We Are
SNAPS is an undergraduate research team in the Gemstone Honors Program at the University of Maryland. We study how the visual system responds to injury and what might help retinal ganglion cells survive.
Our PACAP study combines public data analysis, retinal imaging, and a mouse model of optic nerve injury.
Our Mission
To explore neural plasticity and axon regeneration in the visual system, advancing understanding of glaucoma and vision restoration while generating insights that drive innovation in neuroscience research.
Our Vision
To be a pioneering undergraduate research team uncovering the mechanisms of neural plasticity and axon regeneration in the visual system, contributing to advances in glaucoma treatment and vision restoration.
Our Values
Innovation, collaboration, and scientific rigor guide our research. We believe in open science, interdisciplinary cooperation, and the power of undergraduate research to drive meaningful discoveries.
The Gemstone Program
The Gemstone Honors Program is a unique four-year research program at the University of Maryland that brings together exceptional students from diverse disciplines to conduct team-based research on complex, multifaceted problems. Our team exemplifies the program's commitment to collaborative innovation and interdisciplinary excellence.