Our Team

Frans Vinberg, PhD, CSO

Dr. Vinberg has over 15 years of expertise in ocular research, particularly in retinal (patho)physiology, and is recognized as a scientist, innovator, and bioengineer. He has pioneered an instrument for measuring the electrical activity of retinal cells in ex vivo animal or human donor samples. His research delves into the mechanisms of photoreceptor cells enabling vision across varying light intensities, from moonless nights to bright sunny days on powdery slopes. He focuses on understanding how these mechanisms are impacted by major blinding diseases such as Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy, and Retinitis Pigmentosa. Leading a team of scientists and engineers at Eyescreen, Dr. Vinberg collaborates with both Pharma and Academia to advance the development of sight-saving and -restoring therapies.

Zia L’Ecuyer, BSc, CEO

Zia L’Ecuyer holds a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and possesses 7 years of experience in wet lab work, encompassing molecular and cell biology, as well as electrophysiology. She leads the experimental work on human eye drug screening disease models. Her academic pursuits include researching systems neuroscience and cancer biology, including developing a novel NF1 mouse model. Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in the Vinberg Laboratory, studying the mechanisms of ischemic injury.

Lee Sturgis, MSc, COO

Lee Sturgis holds a Master's degree in Cell and Molecular Biology and has over seven years of experience in cellular, molecular, behavioral, and electrophysiological techniques, spanning fly, mouse, and human models. He has previously studied the neurobiology of nociception and chronic pain, and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Vinberg Laboratory where he is investigating retinal neurodegeneration. Lee leads experimental efforts in preclinical gene therapy in human ocular tissue.

Board of Directors


  • Founder, Chair, CSO

    Scientist, inventor and engineer.


  • Co-Founder, Director.

    Strong vision science background: MPH and PhD from University of Eastern Finland; Postdoctoral Fellow at Johns Hopkins (Ophthalmology, Glaucoma). 10 years of industry experience as a founder and CEO of Experimentica Ltd., a global CRO offering preclinical ocular models for Pharma, Biotech and Academia.


  • Director.

    Founder and CEO of the Moran Eye Center.