David C Musch PhD, MPH

Dr. Musch’s educational background includes a foundation in biology and chemistry from his undergraduate studies (B.S., Calvin College, 1976), a sound and well-rounded public health master’s degree program with an epidemiology focus (M.P.H., University of Michigan, 1978), and doctoral studies that led to a dissertation on inter-observer variation in interpretation of medical images (Ph.D. in Epidemiologic Science, University of Michigan, 1981). Upon graduating, he joined the University of Michigan’s faculty where he now holds the title of Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, and also Professor in the Department of Epidemiology.

Dr. Musch’s research program has a strong emphasis on clinical research in visually disabling disorders. This focus led to his involvement in a number of important clinical trials in ophthalmology, including the pivotal trial that led to approval of the ganciclovir implant for treatment of AIDS patients suffering from cytomegalovirus retinitis, as well as a leadership role in one of the important NIH-supported clinical trials of glaucoma treatment, the Collaborative Initial Glaucoma Treatment Study (CIGTS), in which he directed the Coordinating Center over its 1993-2004 course, and then directed a series of NIH data analysis grants from 2005 to the present.

As the Department’s sole methodologist for many years, and now its senior methodologist, he has had the opportunity to contribute to the ophthalmic literature with his colleagues on studies of the major causes of eye disease, with authorship of over 200 peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Musch is currently Project Director for a major Kellogg Foundation grant that addresses disparities in the identification and care of vision disorders among children in the State of Michigan. He also serves on multiple advisory boards and monitoring boards for NIH- and industry-supported clinical trials of ophthalmic disorders.