Rima Khankan, PhD, received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from California State University, Bakersfield. She obtained her Master of Science in Biology and Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Biotechnology from California State University, Los Angeles. She completed her PhD in Pathobiology from Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, where she studied the regulation of extracellular matrix molecules in retinal pigment epithelial cells and their role in retinal fibrosis.
Dr. Khankan teaches Applied Medical Sciences for the Physician Assistant Program and Applied Biomedical Sciences as well as Neurophysiology for the Optometry Program. She has also teaching responsibilities in the Master of Science in Vision Science and the international Master in Clinical Optometry Programs. Her research interests include ocular disease and early detection of age-related macular degeneration. Dr. Khankan runs the Anatomage virtual cadaver technology. She is a member of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Physician Assistant Education Association and the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry Biomedical Science Educators SIG.