Chelsey McKenna successfully completed her PhD with the dissertation titled ” The role of Semaphorin3A/Neuropilin1 and  Semaphorin3F/Neuropilin2 in the development of innervation and vascularization of the cornea”,under the supervision of Prof. P Lwigale.

Chelsey’s PhD focuses on identifying the developmental regulators that establish avascularity and innervation of the cornea. Her work has also identified molecular regulators that help to control the development of corneal innervation and vascularization in both the avian and mammalian system. Semaphorin3A (Sema3A) is a known axon repellent and inhibitor of endothelial cell migration. This protein is known to affect avian cornea development, but it is unknown if this molecule affects mammalian cornea development or avascularity. Through the use of immunostaining, in situ hybridization, qRT-PCR, genetic and pharmacological inhibition of Sema3A, and implantation of recombinant Sema3A she has discovered that Sema3A plays a key role in the timing of innervation into the mammalian cornea, and the development of an avascular cornea in both the avaian and mammalian systems. This is the first time Sema3A has shown to be essential in both the mammalian cornea development and in establishing an avascular cornea. This information could be used as a springboard for further investigation into potential therapeutic drugs for diseases in cornea innervation or neovascularization.