Designed to recognize the importance of clinician-scientists in the ophthalmic research community, the awards are given based on the quality of each recipient's research presented at the ARVO Annual Meeting. The awardees, who will receive grants of $3,000 each, are clinicians with an academic faculty or comparable appointment committed to a career with protected research time. They also work or have previously worked under the guidance of a mentor.
The recipients are: Maria Cristina Malloci, MD, University Eye Clinic, Cagliari, Italy; Rachel L. Redfern, OD, College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas; Dimitra Skondra, MD, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Mass.; Abraham Solomon, MD, Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; and Stephen H. Tsang, MD, Columbia University, Harkness Eye Institute, New York, N.Y.
The abstracts on which the awards are based are: M. Malloci, "Low Frequency of the CFH Polymorphism T1277C Contributes to a Low Prevalence of AMD in a Sardinian Genetic Isolate;" R.L. Redfern, "Toll-Like Receptors and Antimicrobial Peptide Expression at the Ocular Surface;" D. Skondra, "Characterization of Azurocidin As a Permeability Factor in the Retina: Involvement in the Leukocyte-mediated and VEGF-induced Blood Retina Barrier Breakdown;" A. Solomon, "Increased Expression of Inflammatory Cytokines and Cathepsins in the Corneal Epithelium in Keratoconus;" and S.H. Tsang, "A Possible Phosphorylation Switch for PDE6y."
Founded in 2002, the ARVO Foundation for Eye Research is a supporting organization of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO). The Foundation provides continuing education and stable support for original and innovative vision research, particularly with translational impact fostering collaboration between clinicians and basic scientists. The Foundation also supports training for new vision research scientists, including those in developing countries. For more information about the ARVO Foundation for Eye Research, logon to www.arvofoundation.org.
ARVO is a membership organization of more than 11,300 eye and vision researchers from over 70 countries. Established in 1928, the Association encourages and assists its members and others in research, training, publication, and dissemination of knowledge in vision and ophthalmology. ARVO's headquarters are located in Rockville, Md. For more information about ARVO, logon to www.arvo.org.
Alcon, Inc. is the world's leading eye care company with sales exceeding $3.9 billion in 2004. Alcon, which has been dedicated to the ophthalmic industry for over 50 years, develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals, surgical equipment and devices, contact lens solutions and other vision care products that treat diseases, disorders and other conditions of the eye. For more information on Alcon, Inc., visit the company's Web site at www.alconinc.com.