Dr. Stuart Brown, Professor and Chair of the UCSD Department of Ophthalmology since 1983 and Head of the Shiley Eye Center, is world-renown for his contributions to basic and clinical research of the cornea. Throughout his career he has been the leading innovator in many of these activities. He was the first to initiate studies into the surface characteristics of the component of the pre-corneal tear film. He was the first to implicate that collagenase was responsible for corneal ulcers after alkali burn. He was one of the first to develop a collagen research laboratory for the eye and to initiate biochemical and cell biological studies on the structural macromolecules of the cornea. He was also the first to show that severely alkali-burned cornea can be successfully transplanted. This has enabled, what was previously considered a hopeless condition, to have a reasonable chance for success, thereby allowing many people all over the world to regain their sight. He was also the first to initiate and organize a clinical and basic clinical research center for the study and treatment of immunological diseases of the cornea. This center led to the development of many research concepts in the study of the immunological diseases of the cornea and to new approaches to understanding old diseases and was responsible for providing a now accepted treatment for what was previously considered to be the devastating, so-called Mooren's ulcer. He was the first to successfully transplant the congenitally opaque infant cornea. Dr. Brown's reputation is international.

His research has led to some 200 publications, and he is constantly invited to lecture around the world. In addition, he has been very active in community affairs and was named medical headliner of the year by the San Diego Press Club. Dr. Stuart Brown stands among the greats in ophthalmology. He has been and continues to be an innovator in his field. His efforts are making the UCSD Department of Ophthalmology with its Shiley Eye Center into one of the finest ophthalmic centers in the United States. Even more importantly, the quality of life of countless individuals has been improved, often dramatically, through his innovative research and patient care.