Justin Courson Faculty Profile Return to College Directory

Biography

Dr. Courson’s research focuses on corneal neurobiology, microvascular pathology and translational disease mechanisms. His work applies advanced microscopy techniques – including transmission, scanning, and serial block-face scanning electron microscopy alongside intravital fluorescence imaging – to define the cellular and structural basis of neuronal and vascular dysfunction in disease.
His training spans neuroplasticity research in addiction, dry eye disease pathology, and doctoral work under Dr. Alan Burns characterizing corneal innervation and vascular inflammation at the ultrastructural level. As a National Institutes of Health T32 postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Courson extended this imaging expertise to the study of traumatic brain injury, developing intravital models of cortical microvascular response to TBI. During his time as a faculty member at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and Baylor College of Medicine, he developed and led an active research program investigating the relationships between neuroinflammation, thrombosis, and microvascular dysfunction in TBI, with the goal of identifying therapeutic targets for veterans.
At UH Optometry, Dr. Courson aims to build an independently funded research program that bridges corneal biology and neurovascular pathology, train the next generation of vision scientists, and contribute to the college's outstanding research mission.