Dr Jessica Mountford is a research leader at the Lions Eye Institute and Head of the Functional Molecular Vision Group, with Adjunct Research Fellow appointments held at La Trobe University in Melbourne, and the University of Western Australia. Her primary health focus is on early‑onset childhood myopia, identifying genetic risk factors through population‑based genetic screening of primary school‑aged children in Western Australia, alongside in vivo ocular disease modelling using zebrafish (Danio rerio). This work aims to enable earlier identification of at‑risk children and inform preventative strategies to reduce lifelong vision impairment. Dr Mountford has led the development of innovative research infrastructure, including the establishment of Western Australia’s first and only zebrafish ocular screening platform, and has a strong track record of competitive grant success and effective collaboration. Her research has been funded by Western Australian Near-miss Awards, Telethon 7, Australian Vision Research, Perpetual Philanthropy Program, Perth Eye Foundation, Stan Perron, Raine Foundation, The Lions Save Sight Foundation W.A and the Lions Eye Institute. Through these initiatives, her research delivers impactful outcomes that advance childhood ocular health and contribute directly to improving eye health outcomes for Western Australian communities. Other interests include evolutionary genetics, visual and non-visual opsin and light detection and platelet biology.

• Research Officer, Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences, Monash University (May 2012- December 2013).
• Post-doctoral Researcher, Neuroecology Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia (Jan 2013-July 2017). 

• Primary Honours supervisor for UWA School of Biomedical Sciences (2022). 
• Practical Class Demonstrator, Molecular Microbiology, Monash University (3rd year BMS) (2009).
• Practical Class Demonstrator, Human Pathology, Monash University (3rd year BMS) (2008-2009).
• Practical Class Demonstrator, Immunology, Monash University (3rd year BMS) (2007).

Investigating the genetic and environmental causes of early-onset myopia (short-sightedness) in zebrafish models of refractive error.