Our professionals
Dr. Alfredo García
Director of the Department of Ophthalmology
Preferred focus on the study and treatment of vitreoretinal diseases, macular disorders such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and high myopia, as well as cataract surgery.
Works at:
Navarre headquarters
Madrid headquarters
Be part of:
Clínica Universidad de Navarra
Professional career
Medical Degree, Universidad de Navarra (1987). PhD in Medicine, Universidad de Valladolid (1993). Family Medicine physician certification, Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs (1994), and Ophthalmology qualification, Universidad de Valladolid (1993).
He completed specialization and advanced training stays in macular, vitreous, and retinal diseases at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (Boston) (trauma and tumors), Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston (macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy), NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital at Columbia University (Vitreoretinal Surgery), Mount Sinai Hospital (posterior uveitis), and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York) (intraocular tumors).
RESEARCH AREAS
- Principal Investigator of 22 competitively funded research projects (14 national public competitive projects and 1 European FP7 project, Target-AMD, a global pioneer in gene therapy for age-related macular degeneration using transposons) and 56 clinical trials.
- One patent under commercial exploitation (Method for predicting the risk of developing Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the Spanish population).
- Founder of the Experimental Ophthalmology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Navarra, in 2004. Currently the Clinical Director of this laboratory, having built a multidisciplinary team of 9 people (4 postdoctoral researchers, 3 graduates, and 2 laboratory technicians) fully self-funded through competitive research projects (public and private) and research contracts.
- Consistent research line in retinal diseases, with special attention to Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).
AREAS OF INTEREST
- Vitreoretinal diseases and macular disorders such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and high myopia.
- He has performed vitreoretinal surgeries for more than 20 years, including retinal detachments, epiretinal membranes, and macular holes.
- He also treats ocular tumors such as melanomas and posterior uveitis.
Activity
In teaching
- Professor (Chair) of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Navarra, 01/01/2021. Chair of Ophthalmology accredited by AQU (Agency for the Quality of the University System of Catalonia), 02/12/2019.
- Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Universidad de Navarra (2007–2019).
- Five six-year research periods (“sexenios”) recognized by the CNEAI (1992–1998 / 1999–2004 / 2005–2010 / 2011–2016 / 2017–2022).
- Supervisor of 17 doctoral theses (five of which received national awards for best doctoral thesis). Member of 30 doctoral thesis committees at 8 different national universities. Author/Co-author of 13 books and 38 book chapters, including six original teaching materials.
In research
- Author of more than 166 scientific publications. He has delivered more than 436 conference communications, invited national and international lectures, and presentations in courses and seminars.
- Principal Investigator of the project “Inflammation and immunopathology of organs and systems” (RD21/0002/0010), funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientadas a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), 2021 call under the Strategic Action in Health 2017–2020.
- Reviewer for Archivos de la Sociedad Española de Oftalmología since January 1997. Reviewer for the international journals Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science and Ophthalmology. Reviewer for the National Agency for Evaluation and Foresight of the Ministry of Education and Culture.
- Member of the Scientific Committee of Revista de Medicina de la Universidad de Navarra since January 1998.
- Director of the “Retina Course” from 2002 to 2019, organized by the Department of Ophthalmology of Clínica Universidad de Navarra, in Pamplona.
Scientific Institutions
- President of the Spanish Retina and Vitreous Society (SERV) since March 2023, having previously held the positions of: Vice-President (2019-2023), Secretary General (2015-2018) and Treasurer (2011-2014).
- Secretary of the RETINA-PLUS Foundation (since 2015); having previously held the position of Treasurer (2011-2014).
- Member of the Research Committee of the Clínica Universidad de Navarra.
Acknowledgement
- Collaborating researcher within the Thematic Network of Cooperative Research (RETICS) in ophthalmology.
- RETICS OFTARED (RD12/0034) "Prevention, early detection and treatment of prevalent degenerative and chronic ocular pathology" Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid (Spain).