Viviana Barquet, MD selected for The TGF (sponsored by Patricia Hill) / RPB Fellowship in Glaucoma
In a collaboration, The Glaucoma Foundation (TGF) and Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) have joined forces to champion diversity and innovation in the field of glaucoma research. This strategic partnership has selected Viviana Barquet, MD, as one of the recipients of a prestigious $10,000 fellowship in 2023. The TGF and RPB Fellowships in Glaucoma, generously sponsored by Patricia Hill, aim to support under-represented racial and ethnic minority researchers dedicated to advancing our understanding of glaucoma.
The TGF/RPB Fellowships in Glaucoma are one-year grants specifically designed to encourage substantive research in the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of glaucoma. The fellowship provides financial support for critical aspects of the research process, including data analysis, attendance at key scientific conferences, and publication submission costs.
Thanks to the sponsorship by Patricia Hill, The Glaucoma Foundation and Research to Prevent Blindness will provide Dr. Barquet with the necessary funds to enlist critical assistance for data analysis. This support will be facilitated through collaboration with the Washington University Institute for Informatics, Data Science, and Biostatistics.
Dr. Viviana Barquet envisions a future where she can contribute to glaucoma research while focusing on caring for medically isolated populations.
In her own words, Dr. Viviana Barquet envisions a future where she can contribute to glaucoma research while focusing on caring for medically isolated populations. Her commitment extends to studying the Puerto Rican population, a Hispanic ethnicity with a unique blend of European and African ancestry. Despite being afflicted with a disproportionate prevalence of severe glaucoma, this population has been underrepresented in research studies.
Dr. Barquet’s current project, conducted in collaboration with Dr. Siegfried, aims to identify crucial characteristics that contribute to the lack of appointment adherence among high-risk populations. By understanding these factors, the research team can proactively implement protocols to prevent poor follow-up and mitigate glaucomatous disease progression.
Future studies in Puerto Rico, concentrating on socioeconomic factors, hold the potential to reveal distinct patterns of impact. Recognizing these characteristics among patients will empower healthcare professionals to take a proactive approach to prevent the exacerbation of glaucoma within high-risk populations.
As we look to the future, it is initiatives like these that will drive progress in glaucoma research and pave the way for improved care for all individuals affected by this sight-threatening condition.