Graduate Thesis

For my thesis project, I decided on making a 3D animation introducing the current research surrounding the retina’s involvement in schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder with symptoms typically including delusions, hallucinations and disordered thinking. Additionally, 60% of patients report visual distortions such as impaired perceptions of brightness, color and depth. While these symptoms are typically attributed to abnormalities within the brain, findings show that they could be correlated with changes in the retina. For example, thinning of the macula and the retinal nerve fiber layer, thinning of the retinal vasculature, and abnormal ERG results have all been observed in patients of schizophrenia. While it is still unclear if these changes directly contribute to the visual symptoms, this project aims to shine a light on this under researched field.

The retina is a neural layer located at the posterior segment of the eye responsible for light detection and signal transmission to the brain. In patients with schizophrenia, four significant retinal abnormalities have been identified: thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer, thinning of the macula, reduced microvasculature, and an abnormal electroretinogram. For the scientific research component of this project, I collaborated with Dr. Steven Silverstein at the University of Rochester’s Clinical Research in Affective and Brain Disorders (CRAB) Lab, which specializes in my thesis topic and routinely performs these assessments. To deepen my practical understanding, I visited the lab in person and underwent a retinal examination myself.

For the animation planning phase, I first developed an audiovisual (AV) script that aligned each line of narration with the corresponding on-screen action. Following approval of the script, I produced a storyboard and recorded the narration in the soundproof narration room at RIT. The 3D models and animation were created using Maya, ZBrush, and Substance Painter.