Health Services Federal Government
Resume:
Denise A. Valenti, OD, FAAO
IMMAD Quincy, MA **************@*****.***
INSTITUTION AND LOCATION
DEGREE
MM/YY
FIELD OF STUDY
Oregon State University Corvallis, OR Oregon State University Corvallis, OR
BS
Certificate
1979
1979
General Science Gerontology
Southern Calif College Optometry Fullerton, CA
OD
1984
Doctor of Optometry
University of Houston Optometry Houston, TX
Residency
1985
Low Vision
Boston University School Medicine Boston, MA
PhD courses
2003-2007
Behav Neuroscience
MGH/MIT/HMS Martinos Biomed Imaging Boston
Fellow
2006
Functional MRI
I am the founder and President of IMMAD, LLC - Impairment Measurement and Marijuana. The company provides services, consulting, and development of technology for the responsible use of cannabis. I have over three decades of experience in working with patients having sensory impairment, cognitive dysfunction, vision, and age-related changes as well as the driving experience. I have been committed to the elimination of medical inequities my entire career and was awarded the American Public Health Association’s Vision Care Outstanding Student Award for my efforts in aging. I developed rehabilitation strategies to identify and modify ocular motility deficits; primarily nystagmus, that had the retinal and neural plasticity to achieve gains in optotype acuity with intense rehabilitation. I received NIH funding to investigate the use of Optical Coherence Tomography in Alzheimer’s disease and later researched visual field technologies that at the time were novel, using temporal striped targets that have variable contrast. Work in Parkinson’s was funded through Fight For SIght and included the study of retinal response. I had unfunded work in Parkinson’s investigating cornea response, abnormal blink, lacrimal response, and olfactory dysfunction. I have provided direct clinical care with the Indian Health Services and ran a clinic for the indigent in inner city Detroit, MI. My residency was in Houston, Texas where I provided house calls/homecare in the communities suffering greatest health disparity.
Recent Research Abstracts:
Valenti DA: Marijuana, Retina and Driving: intrinsically photosensitive
retinal ganglion cells, PittCon 2025, Boston
Valenti DA, Halsor C, Carbonetti D.: Acute Cannabis Use: Retinal Function
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science July 2018, Vol.59, 5292.
Valenti, DA: Marijuana/Cannabis Impaired Driving: Retinal Dysfunction of Rods, Cones
And Ganglion Cells. International Cannabinoid Research Society Conference,
Bethesda, MD 2019
Kailher H, Koppy T and Valenti DA: Neurobiological Effects of Cannabis on the Visual System and the Relation to Schizophrenia Expression. CPDA Chemistry and Pharmacology of Drug Abuse Conference, Boston, MA 2024
Koppy T, Amado R, Calixte D, Zou X, Nankabirwa R, Kailher H and Valenti DA: Utilizing Molar Metabolites to Determine Recent Inhaled Cannabis Use. New England Association of Forensic Scientists, Groton, CT 2023
Kailher H, Koppy T and Valenti DA: Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cells: Influence on Pupil Response, New England Association of Forensic Scientists, Atlantic City, NJ 2024
EMPLOYMENT
1978Gerontology Intern - Oregon Lions Club Eye Bank
1979Gerontology Intern - Oregon Commission for the Blind
1983-1984 Intern – Alaska Native American Hospital, SCCO
1983Intern – New York Lighthouse for the Blind, SUNY College of Optometry
1984Intern - Santa Monica Center for the Partially Sighted, SCCO
1984-1985 Resident Blind Rehabilitation, University of Houston College of Optometry
1984-1985 Instructor - Home Care, University of Houston College of Optometry
1985-1987 Instructor - Low Vision Clinic Staff, Director Home Care Services, New England College of Optometry Boston, MA
1987-1991 Assistant Professor – Ferris State University College of Optometry,
Big Rapids, MI
1987-1991 Clinic Director – Detroit Optometric Center, Ferris State University College of Optometry Teaching Clinic
1991Associate Professor – Ferris State University College of Optometry, Big Rapids, MI
1988-1991 Consultant, General Motors: Adult, Elderly Issues Driving and Sensory Loss
1991-1992 Direct Clinical - Vision Care Consultation; Clinical Home Care and Blind Rehabilitation, Private Practice Boston, MA
1991-2012 Staff Optometrist part time, Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Boston
2002-2007 Research Associate, Department of Psychology, Boston University
2007-2009 Research Faculty Instructor, Department of Ophthalmology,
Boston University School of Medicine
2013-2015 Adjunct Faculty, Quincy College, Developed Inaugural Courses: General
Gerontology and Drugs and Aging.
2014-2015 Associate Professor-Transition/Temporary, MCPHS College of Optometry
Filled the position of Low Vision Department Chair as interim faculty, Developed
Inaugural Courses: Low Vision and Low Vision Lab
2016-current IMMAD; CEO/Consultant in Vision, Aging, Cannabinoids and Neuroprocessing
SELECTED PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
1992-1993 National Research Council, Transportation Research Board, Committee on Safety and Mobility of Older Drivers
2007ARVO One Day Symposium: Aging, Vision and Brain: Organizer and Moderator.
2007-2012 National Institutes of Health ZRG1 ETTN-E 12 Small Business: Visual Systems
2007-2011 National Institutes of Health ZRG1-ETTN 92 Vision Sciences and Technology
2011 National Institutes of Health ZRG1 ETTN-B 30 Shared Instrumentation: Neuro
2011 National Institutes of Health ZRG1 ETTN-B 80 Neurotechnology
2011 Journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia Reviewer
2012-2015 National Institutes of Health BNVT Bioengineering of Neuroscience, Vision, LV
PARTIAL LIST AWARDS
1979 Gerontology Trainee Award: Oregon State University
1983American Public Health Association Vision Care Section: Outstanding Student
1983-1984 Gold Key Optometric Honor Society
1984Sam Walter Low Vision Award
2005 Fight for Sight Student Research Award Parkinson’s Disease
2005 Boston University Women’s Council Academic Award
2007 Woman of Vision: Review of Optometry for Contributions to Field
2005 AARP Gerontology Scholar Award: One of Twenty Nationwide
2006 Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation Outstanding Young Investigator Award
PUBLICATIONS CONTRIBUTIONS TO SCIENCE
Valenti DA: Marijuana and Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cells. Optometric
Clinical Practice. 2025; 7(1):6. https://doi.org/10.37685/uiwlibraries.2575-7717.7.1.1033
Valenti DA: How Does Cannabis Affect Your Visual System? California Optometric Association
Magazine Jan/Feb 2016.
Valenti DA: Alzheimer's Disease, Brain Injury, American Football and IOP, California
Optometric Association Magazine California Optometry, January 2014
Valenti DA: The visual system in neurodegenerative disease, In: Visual Diagnosis and Care of
The Patient With Special Needs, 2012 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins
Valenti DA: Alzheimer's disease and glaucoma: imaging the biomarkers of neurodegenerative
disease. Int Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. 2011 Jan 5;2010:793931. PMID: 21253485 Dougherty BE, Valenti D and Vera-Diaz FA: Abandonment of Low-Vision Devices in an
Outpatient Population. Optometry and Vision Science August 2011. PMID: 21822160. Valenti DA: Alzheimer's disease: visual system review. Optometry 2010, 81: 12-21.
PMID: 2004873
Valenti DA: Neuroimaging of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer in AD Using Optical Coherence
Tomography (OCT). Neurology 2007; 69: 1060. PMID: 17785676
Valenti DA. Anterior Visual System and Circadian Function with Reference to Alzheimer ’s disease. In: Vision and Alzheimer’s Disease, Interdisciplinary Topics in Gerontology, vol 34, eds.: Cronin-Golomb A and Hof PR, 2004, Basel: Karger, 1-29.
DeSylvia (Valenti) DA and Klug CD: Drugs and Children: Taking Care of the Victims. Journal of the Optometric Association 1991; 62:106-112. PMID: 1583260
DeSylvia (Valenti) DA: Low Vision and Aging. Optometry and Vision Science 1990; 67: 319322. PMID: 2195417
DeSylvia (Valenti) DA: Social Considerations in the Management of the Pediatric Low Vision Patient. In: Problems in Optometry: Patient and Practice Management of Low Vision, eds: Cole RG and Rosenthal BP, 1992; 4:155-167.
DeSylvia (Valenti) DA and Gotta D: Effectivity of the IRAS Interferometer vs the Acuity Meter in RGP Fittings of the Partially Sighted. International Contact Lens Clinic 1990; 17:35-39.
Aston S, DeSylvia (Valenti) DA and Mancil G: Gerontological Optometry – A Resource Manual for Educators. Association for Schools and Colleges of Optometry 1989.
Mancil G, DeSylvia (Valenti) and Goodrich G: At Risk and Minority Elderly – A Resource for Educators. Association for Schools and Colleges of Optometry 1990.
Aston S, DeSylvia (Valenti) DA and Mancil G: Optometric Gerontology: State of Art In Schools and Colleges of Optometry. Journal of Optometric Education. Fall 1988.
DeSylvia (Valenti) DA and Corwin TA: The Silver Pages: Are They Easier to Read? Low Vision Principles and Applications, pp. 463-470, Springer-Verlag, New York, 1987.
PARTIAL LIST ABSTRACTS/LECTURES
Valenti, DA: Preliminary Study Olfaction and Acute Cannabis Use, Virtual Cannabis Research Conference, Pueblo, CO, 2021
Valenti, DA: Marijuana Impaired Driving Is Not Just Eye Movement: The Retina
Neuroprocessing International Chiefs of Police Conference, Chicago, IL, 2019
Valenti, DA: Marijuana/Cannabis Impaired Driving: Retinal Dysfunction of Rods, Cones
and Ganglion Cells International Cannabinoid Research Society Conference,
Bethesda, MD, 2019
Valenti, DA: Marijuana, Cannabinoids and Retina Association for Ocular
Pharmacology and Therapeutics Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, 2019
Valenti, DA: Marijuana Impairment to the Visual Sensory System Gerontological
Society of America Conference, Boston, MA 2019
Valenti, DA: Marijuana: Retina Driving Impairment, Northern California High Intensity
Drug Trafficking Conference, San Jose, CA, 2019
Valenti, DA, Halsor C, Carbonetti D: Acute Cannabis Use: Retinal Function Association
Research Vision Ophthalmology, Honolulu, Hawaii, 2018
Valenti, DA: Cannabinoids, Cannabis, Marijuana and Retinal Ganglion Cell Dysfunction
Or: What You Cannot See When High, Washington Travel Safety Conference, Kennewick, WA, 2018
Valenti, DA: Acute Use of Marijuana: Retinal Dysfunction and Implications for Driving
Chemistry and Pharmacology of Drug Abuse Conference, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 2018
Valenti, DA: Medical Marijuana and Glaucoma: The United States Experience, Research Vision
Ophthalmology, Baltimore, MD, 2017
Valenti, DA: Acute Marijuana Use: Functional Findings of Retinal Ganglion Cell Impairment,
CannMed Cannabinoid Research Conference, Harvard University, Boston, MA 2017 Valenti DA: Marijuana and Glaucoma Carolina Cannabis Conference, Philadelphia,
PA, 2016
Valenti, DA: Keynote Lecture: Alzheimer’s, Cannabis and Cannabinoids, Nutrition and the
Eye Symposium IX, University of Missouri, St. Louis, MO, 2016
Valenti, DA: Neuropathway Imaging: Retina to Occipital Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and
Cannabinoids, Imaging Conference, ARVO, Seattle, WA, 2016
Valenti, DA: Performance and Detection Visual System: Cannabis Related Neuroprocessing,
Marijuana Cannabinoids: A Neuroscience Research Summit NIH, Rockland, MD, 2016
Valenti, DA: Cannabis, Cognitive Functions and Driving: The Visual System, NIH/NIDA/NIAA Carolina Cannabinoid Conference, Rockland, MD, 2015
Valenti, DA: Neural Pathways and Optic Nerve: Dementia, Glaucoma and Injury, American
Public Health Association, Chicago, Illinois, 2015
Valenti, DA: Neuroprocessing, Visual Perception and Cognition: Cannabis, International
Cannabinoid Research Society, Halifax, NS/CA 2015
Valenti, DA: Alzheimer’s Disease: Functional Biomarkers FDT, Alzheimer’s
Association International Conference, Boston, MA, 2013
Valenti, DA: Alzheimer’s Disease Biomarkers in the Visual System, American Public Health
Association, Washington, DC 2011
Valenti, DA: Healthy Vision and Optimum Correction: Contributions to Safe Ambulation with Advancing Age, American Public Health Association, Washington, DC 2011
Valenti, DA: Neurologic Disease: Screening With Frequency Doubling Technology, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Fort Lauderdale, FL 2010
Valenti, DA: Movement Disorders: Deficits in Visual Processing as Measured by FDT,
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Fort Lauderdale, FL 2009 Valenti, DA: Clinical in Vivo Retinal Imaging of Probable Alzheimer’s Disease and Amyloid Pathology, Center for Integration of Medicine and Technology Conference, Boston, MA 2008
Valenti, DA: Neuroimaging of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer in Alzheimer’s Disease and
Parkinson’s Disease Using Optical Coherence Tomography, Alzheimer’s Association Clinical Care Conference, Atlanta, GA 2006
Valenti DA: Retinal Inhibition Secondary to Methotrexate Identified with Frequency
Doubling Technology. Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. Fort Lauderdale, FL 2006
Valenti DA: Vision Assessment in Neurodegenerative Disease. American Public Health
Association National Conference, Philadelphia, PA 2005
Valenti DA, Cronin-Golomb A, Laudate TM: Vision Screening of Alzheimer’s Disease and
Parkinson’s Disease With Frequency Doubling Technology (FDT). 57th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, Miami, FL 2005
RESEARCH SUPPORT and RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
2022-2024 Marijuana Intoxication: Roadside Tool for Law Enforcement to Measure Impaired
Peripheral Vision, National Institute of Justice grant 15PNIJ-22-GG-04417-RESS
Demonstration efficacy using off the shelf FDA approved technology.
Real car, closed road study. Development of robotic pedestrians and bicycles.
Principal Investigator.
2018-2019 Digital Marker of Marijuana Intoxication: Measure of Dysfunctional Retinal
Ganglion Cell Response NIH SBIR Phase I contract NIDA -SBIR N43DA-18-1221
2014-2015 Development Grant: Blue Hills Community Health Alliance – EVES
Empowering Veterans Enabling Success. Project to develop
educational program targeting faculty teaching veterans. Author/Lecture
2007-2009 Industry Support: Forest Laboratories – Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment Efficacy Visual System: Function and Structure. Principal Investigator
2005 Fight for Sight Fellow: Neurodegenerative Disease and Visual Function.
2004-2005 Healthy 2010: Educating African Americans with the Objective of Reducing the
Risk of Vision Loss Due to Alzheimer’s Disease, Diabetes and Glaucoma. Co
Author in collaboration with the Massachusetts Society of Optometrists
2002-2004 NIH Disability Supplement, Mentored Research/Training: Changes in Optic
Nerve Fiber Layer Secondary to Alzheimer’s Disease. Parent Grant PI: R01 1AG15361.
1999 NIH External Project Brigham Women’s Hospital Boston, MA: Identification of
Gene Defects That Cause Familial Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Christine Siedman,
MD Principal Investigator, Role-Contributing Research Participant
1994-1998 NIH Internal Project Bethesda, Maryland: Inherited Cardiac Diseases:
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Lameh Fananapazir, MD Principal Investigator, Role-Contributing Research Participant
1989 Industry Support: Mentor Ophthalmic - Effectivity of the SITE IRAS Interferometer vs PAM Potential Acuity Meter. Principal Investigator
1989 Industry Support: Mentor Ophthalmic - Contrast and Glare: Measured by Brightness Acuity Test. Principal Investigator
1987-1990 Health and Human Services Administration on Aging: Optometric Gerontology Curriculum Development and Implementation Outcome. Co-PI I
1990-1992 Health and Human Services Administration on Aging: At Risk Elderly:
Minorities and Old Old; Program and Curriculum Development. Co-PI
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