BrightFocus Foundation Presents Annual Vision Research Awards
May 3, 2022 (DENVER)—BrightFocus Foundation, an international nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration and glaucoma research, presented its named vision awards for 2022 yesterday to leading vision researchers at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).
“Progress to cure macular degeneration and glaucoma is urgently needed,” said BrightFocus President and CEO Stacy Pagos Haller. “This year’s awards embody our commitment to bold, innovative scientific research and provide hope for the nearly 300 million people living with these debilitating diseases worldwide.”
BrightFocus’ annual vision research awards recognize the new fiscal year’s top-ranking grant proposals as determined by its scientific review committees leading advisors in the field. The awards aim to propel innovative macular degeneration and glaucoma research forward and prevent, treat and cure the diseases.
BrightFocus 2022 Named Vision Research Awards
MACULAR DEGENERATION RESEARCH
The Elizabeth Anderson Award for Macular Degeneration Research
Recipient: Lucia Celkova, PhD, Trinity College Dublin
New award for 2022
The Helen Juanita Reed Award for Macular Degeneration Research
Recipient: Leah VandenBosch, PhD, Seattle Children’s Research Institute
New award for 2022
The Dr. Joe G. Hollyfield New Investigator Award for Macular Degeneration Research
Recipient: Lev Prasov, MD, PhD, University of Michigan
NATIONAL GLAUCOMA RESEARCH
The Dr. Douglas H. Johnson Award
Recipient: Thomas V. Johnson III, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
The Thomas R. Lee Award
Recipient: Emmanuelle Souzeau, PhD, Flinders University, Australia
ARVO, the largest conference for eye and vision research in the world, brings together more than 11,000 scientists annually. Nearly 100 research projects presented at this year’s conference were funded by BrightFocus through its Macular Degeneration Research and National Glaucoma Research programs. Information about next year’s international research grant applications for BrightFocus is available online.
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About the Awards
The Douglas H. Johnson Award for Glaucoma Research
This award is presented annually to the top-rated proposal in the National Glaucoma Research Standard Award program in recognition of exceptionally promising and forward-thinking ideas in the field of glaucoma. Beyond his exemplary record of contributions to the glaucoma field, Johnson served as a longtime chair of the Scientific Review Committee for BrightFocus’ National Glaucoma Research program.
The Thomas R. Lee Award for Glaucoma Research
Thomas R. Lee was a farmer, businessman, investor, real estate developer and philanthropist. Motivated by his battle with glaucoma, Lee bequeathed a significant gift to ensure continuous funding for research. This award is presented annually to the top-rated Fellowship proposal in National Glaucoma Research that make significant contributions to his vision for a world without glaucoma.
The Dr. Joe G. Hollyfield New Investigator Award for Macular Degeneration Research
This award honors the contributions of Joe G. Hollyfield, PhD, to the field of age-related macular degeneration research and for his leadership at BrightFocus as chair of the Macular Degeneration Research Scientific Review Committee. Hollyfield served in this capacity for two decades and carefully guided BrightFocus on expanding its support for early-career investigators, helping to grow and shape the future of vision research around the globe. This award is presented annually to the top-rated New Investigator Grant recipient in recognition of exceptionally promising and forward-thinking ideas in the field of age-related macular degeneration.
The Helen Juanita Reed Award for Macular Degeneration Research
Helen Reed, known as Nita to her friends, was an incredibly generous philanthropist, leader, volunteer and loving friend throughout her life. Reed, who had macular degeneration, is remembered for her incredible commitment to BrightFocus’ mission. This award is offered in her memory, honoring her desire to accelerate research and unravel the mysteries of age-related macular degeneration and is presented annually to the top-rated Fellowship proposal in Macular Degeneration Research.
The Elizabeth Anderson Award for Macular Degeneration Research
This award is presented annually in honor of Elizabeth Anderson, the wife of Dr. Robert (Gene) Anderson, a longstanding member of the BrightFocus Scientific Review Committee for Macular Degeneration Research. Anderson was dedicated to the vision research community and took particular interest in young scientists who she shepherded through the difficulties of their early careers.
About BrightFocus Foundation
BrightFocus Foundation has awarded $65 million in Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration, and glaucoma research grants internationally over the past three years, supporting more than 275 ongoing projects worldwide, and providing expert information and resources about these diseases. For more information, visit brightfocus.org.
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Kaci Baez
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(301) 556-9370
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