$75,000 Young Investigator Grant Supports Early Career Development in Vision Research and Ophthalmology St. Louis, MO – August 16th, 2024 – Takeshi Yoshimatsu,PhD, an Assistant Professor in the John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis (WashU Medicine) has been awarded a $75,000 Young […]
We are thrilled to announce that James Walsh, MD, PhD has been awarded the prestigious Career Development Award from Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB). This award, which provides $350,000 in funding over four years, is designed to support promising junior ophthalmology faculty in their journey toward becoming independent researchers. Research Focus Dr. Walsh’s research centers […]
On July 24, 2024, the Washington University School of Medicine celebrated the installation of Steven Bassnett, PhD, as the Grace Nelson Lacy Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology. The event brought together esteemed colleagues, friends, and family to honor Dr. Bassnett’s remarkable contributions to the field of vision research. This was a wonderful honor for me personally […]
Isabella Gomes, a medical student at Washington University, recently presented at the Vision Science Journal Club. Her presentation focused on severe eye degeneration in a 68-year-old man. Presenter: Isabella Gomes WashU Medical Student – MD Candidate ’25 Email: i.gomes@wustl.edu The study Isabella Gomes presented found a new genetic change (CNV) in the RHO gene that […]
We would like to congratulate Philip Williams, PhD on receiving a grant for his groundbreaking research on the neuromodulatory potential of primary cilia. This grant, funded by The McDonnell Center for Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, recognizes the innovative nature of Dr. Williams’ work, which aims to unravel the complex signaling mechanisms within primary cilia and […]
We are thrilled to announce Science in Focus: Art Beyond the Microscope, a science as art competition! We invite all vision science researchers to participate in this unique competition, where science and art intersect to reveal the beauty within scientific research. Purpose and Goals Our goal is to celebrate the beauty of science and engage […]
Sean McCracken, a Neuroscience PhD candidate in the William’s Lab, has been selected as an award recipient for the 2024 NIH Outstanding Scholars in Neuroscience Award Program (OSNAP). This prestigious honor recognizes Sean’s exceptional research and scientific training, highlighting him as a rising star in the neuroscience community. About the OSNAP Award The Outstanding Scholars […]
We are delighted to announce that the Washington University Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences has been awarded a prestigious Unrestricted Grant from Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB). This grant, amounting to $115,000 annually, will significantly bolster the department’s ongoing eye research efforts. Recognition of Excellence The Unrestricted Grant from RPB is a testament to […]
We are thrilled to announce the winners of Washington University John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (DOVS) 2nd Annual Winston Fellow Competition. This event showcased DOVS students and postdocs presenting their cutting-edge research, competing for the esteemed Winston Fellow Awards in Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. About the Winston Fellow Awards The […]
Medical student Wilson Wang and resident physician Maggie Xing, MD, have made significant contributions to the field of ophthalmology with their recent publication in JAMA Ophthalmology “Interventions for Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy,” co-authored with renowned expert Raj Apte, MD, PhD. Their article provides a comprehensive clinical synopsis and educational review of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), a serious complication […]
We are excited to share a new article by Ying-Bo Shui, Ying Liu, Andrew J. W. Huang & Carla J. Siegfried, titled “SDPR Expression in Human Trabecular Meshwork and Its Potential Role in Racial Disparities of Glaucoma,” has been published online in the journal Scientific Reports. This significant research highlights the molecular differences in gene […]
We’re thrilled to announce that Dr. Shiming Chen has been awarded a Seed grant from the Center of Regenerative Medicine for her groundbreaking project titled “hiPSC-induced retinal organoids modeling CRX-linked retinopathies.” This pioneering research aims to establish three-dimensional retinal organoids—essentially human retinas in a dish—to model inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) linked to the cone-rod-homeobox (CRX) […]
The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) is at the forefront of advancing global research aimed at unraveling the complexities of the visual system and combatting its disorders. From May 5th to May 9th, visionaries and experts congregated in Seattle, Washington, for the ARVO 2024 Annual Meeting, a pivotal event showcasing the latest […]
Congratulations to WashU Ophthalmology Resident, Matt Elitt, MD, PhD and Case Western Reserve’s Tesar Lab colleagues, on the advancement of ION356 to a phase I human clinical trial. Dr. Elitt’s doctoral research published in Nature demonstrated a novel method to pharmacologically target the pathology of Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD), representing the first potential treatment option for patients and […]
In April, Natalia Morales, MD, our talented second-year resident, presented at the Cogan Ophthalmology Historical Society Annual Meeting held at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. Natalia’s research on the history of trachoma, a leading cause of blindness worldwide, formed the basis of her thought-provoking talk titled “The Influence of Trachoma on the Establishment of […]
We are thrilled to announce the publication of a groundbreaking study titled “LXR/CD38 Activation Drives Cholesterol-Induced Macrophage Senescence and Neurodegeneration via NAD+ Depletion“, authored by Ryo Terao, MD, PhD; Mitsukuni Yoshida, MD, PhD; Rajendra Apte, MD, PhD; and colleagues from the Apte Lab. In this study, our researchers unveil critical molecular mechanisms linking dysregulated cholesterol […]
We are thrilled to announce Charles Pfeifer as the distinguished recipient of the highly acclaimed 2024 Dr. Philip Needleman Pharmacology Award. This honor is bestowed upon a graduating student who has exhibited exceptional accomplishments in the field of Pharmacology. Founded in 1991 by Ms. Sima Needleman in tribute to her husband’s unwavering dedication to scholarship […]
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a prevalent eye disease that affects millions of individuals aged 60 and older. Understanding the pathogenesis and developing effective treatments for this condition is crucial. In honor of Dr. Roger H. Johnson, an accomplished ophthalmologist and his dedication to advancing AMD research, the Roger H. Johnson Award was established. This […]
Dr. Margaret M. Reynolds, a renowned researcher at Washington University, has recently been awarded an internal CTRFP grant titled “Phenotype After Refractive Surgery for Autism Spectrum Disorder.” This grant aims to support innovative research projects that can translate scientific discoveries into tangible improvements in human health. The grant, administered by the Institute of Clinical and […]
Graduate student Tim Lee from the Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences (DBBS), working in collaboration with the Apte Lab, has published a new paper revealing a significant discovery in the realm of photoreceptor dysfunction. The research, titled “Identification of IMPDH as a Therapeutically Modifiable Target of AMP Kinase in Rod Photoreceptors,” sheds light on […]