Dr. Tess McCann

Meet your Researchers: Dr. Tess McCann – Research Ireland Enterprise Postdoctoral Fellowship (UCD)

Dr. Tess McCann

Project: Proteomic Profiling of Retinal Regeneration in Zebrafish to Uncover Therapeutic Targets for Vision Restoration

Start date: January 2026

Award amount: Fighting Blindness is contributing €52,369 towards the project.

Image Description: Photograph of Dr Tess McCann smiling in a park setting with trees & autumn foliage. She is in a navy blazer holding a blue case containing a medal.

Short Bio: I graduated from Trinity College Dublin with a B.A. (Mod.) degree in Neuroscience before moving to the University of Edinburgh to complete my PhD in spinal cord regeneration. During my PhD, I discovered the zebrafish, a small freshwater fish with remarkable regenerative abilities. Seeing first-hand how powerful this model can be for biomedical research inspired me to continue working with zebrafish throughout my career.

After joining the Kennedy Lab at the UCD Conway Institute, I became involved in vision research. I quickly developed a fascination with the eye and was also struck by the strong engagement and support from patients and advocacy groups. That experience motivated me to continue working in this field.

This year marked an important step towards research independence when I secured my own Research Ireland Enterprise Postdoctoral Fellowship, supported by Fighting Blindness and the Retina UK Short Innovation Award. This funding has allowed me to pursue my own research ideas and lead independent projects based at the UCD Conway Institute.

  1. What are the overall aims of the project you are working on, including how it could have an impact on those affected by sight loss?

Millions of people lose their sight each year because the retina, the eye’s light-detecting structure becomes damaged. In humans, once this structure breaks, it cannot be rebuilt. In contrast zebrafish, a small fish commonly used for medical research, have an incredible ability: when their retina is injured, they call in a biological “construction crew” that repairs the damage and restores vision. My project aims to understand how zebrafish achieve this remarkable feat, with the hope of one day applying similar principles to help people with sight loss.

I will study the molecular “building materials” and “signals” that guide this repair process in zebrafish. These signals tell cells when to arrive at the “construction site,” what materials to use, and how to rebuild the damaged wiring of the retina. By identifying the most important signals, we can then ask whether the human eye lacks these tools or simply leaves them unused. Finally, I will test whether turning on these signals in models of human retinal disease can spark repair and restore function.

 Ultimately, this research could provide a blueprint for new therapies that encourage the human retina to repair itself, offering hope for people affected by blindness and sight loss.

  • Why did you get into research and what do you most enjoy about it?

I got into research because I realised it is one of the few careers where you can ask questions about how the body works and then actively go out and find the answers. I was fascinated by the opportunity to better understand disease and contribute, even in a small way, to the development of future treatments.

Research can be challenging and sometimes frustrating, but what I enjoy most is the excitement of discovery. Even when a small experiment works or reveals something unexpected, you have the chance to learn something that nobody has known before. Being part of advancing knowledge, even a little bit at a time, is incredibly rewarding.

  • Within the next five years, where do you expect great advances to be made in vision research?

It is an incredibly exciting time for vision research. The pace of progress has been remarkable, and many therapies that seemed theoretical just a few years ago are now being tested in patients or moving closer to clinical use. Personally, I am particularly excited about cell-based therapies. These approaches have the potential to overcome some of the limitations of current treatments, such as only working at specific stages of disease or targeting a single genetic cause. Cell-based therapies may offer broader treatment options for a wider range of patients.

However, there are still important challenges to overcome, including understanding how to help transplanted or regenerated cells integrate properly and restore vision effectively. I see projects like mine as an important part of addressing these challenges. By learning from animals such as zebrafish, which can naturally repair their retinas, we may uncover new ways to improve regenerative therapies and help realise the enormous potential of this field for people living with sight loss.

  • What are your other interests?

I am a keen sailor and try to get out on the water whenever I can. I also love travelling and have been fortunate enough to visit many different parts of the world. One of the great benefits of a career in science is the opportunity to work with and learn from amazing people from many different countries and backgrounds. 

Without funding, there is no research. A legacy gift of €50,000 will support an early-career researcher and fund pioneering vision research.

To donate please click here.