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BrightFocus 50th Anniversary Celebration

Bold Research for a Better Tomorrow


Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian
Washington, D.C.

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BrightFocus 50th Gala Landing Page image header.
BrightFocus President and CEO Stacy Pagos Haller with BrightFocus Scientific Affairs team, cocktail scientists, and Megan Hilty.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Time: 6:30 – 10:00 pm
Location: Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, D.C.

Honorees

We honored excellence in research science and advocacy with the presentation of three awards:

Gerard D. Schellenberg, PhD

Gerard D. Schellenberg, PhD

University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

BrightFocus Scientific Impact Award

Mae Gordon, PhD

Mae Gordon, PhD

Washington University in St. Louis

Helen Keller Prize for Vision Research

Michael Kass, MD

Michael Kass, MD

Washington University in St. Louis

Helen Keller Prize for Vision Research

Debra Tann, EdD

Debra Tann, EdD

Reminiscent

BrightFocus Community Impact Award

Presenting Cocktail Scientists

Ganesh Babulal, MSCI, OTD, PhD

Ganesh Babulal, MSCI, OTD, PhD

Washington University School of Medicine

Accelerating Screening of Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease: The DRIVES Project

a headshot of Dr. Butovsky

Oleg Butovsky, PhD

Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Opposite Effects of APOE4 in Alzheimer’s Disease and Glaucoma

Thomas Johnson, MD, PhD

Thomas V. Johnson III, MD, PhD

Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University

Regenerative Medicine Approaches to Vision Restoration for Glaucoma and Other Optic Neuropathies

Daisy Shu, PhD

Daisy Shu, PhD

The Schepens Eye Research Institute, Inc.

Deciphering the Interplay Between Inflammation and Metabolism in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Musical Performance by

Megan Hilty

Megan Hilty

Megan Hilty is probably most recognizable for her portrayal of Ivy Lynn in the NBC Musical Drama “Smash.” Before that, Hilty started her career on Broadway, playing Glinda in “Wicked,” originating the role of Doralee Rhodes in “9 to 5 The Musical,” and Brooke Ashton in “Noises Off,” which earned her a Tony Award Nomination. Other stage credits include Audrey in “Little Shop of Horrors” (Kennedy Center), Annie Oakley in “Annie Get Your Gun” (Encores/NY City Center) and Lorelei Lee in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” (Encores/NY City Center). Her numerous television credits include “Sean Saves The World” with Sean Hayes, “Difficult People,” “Braindead,” “The Good Fight,” playing the iconic Patsy Cline in “Patsy and Loretta” (earning her a Critic’s Choice Award nomination for Best Actress) and Lily in NBC’s “Annie Live!” She is currently filming “The Pradeeps From Pittsburgh” which is set to air on Amazon in early 2024. Megan’s voiceover work spans from audiobooks to kids animated favorites like “TrollsTopia” on Hulu, “TOTS” on Disney Jr, “Centaurworld” on Netflix, “Tinkerbell” on Disney, “Madagascar-A Little Wild” and “It’s Pony!” on Nickelodeon – and even some shows for adults like “Family Guy,” “American Dad,” “Robot Chicken” and “Tuca & Bertie.” Hilty continues to tour her cabaret show with her band, which has been taped for “Live from Lincoln Center” on PBS, and regularly appears with world renowned orchestras including the NY Pops, Boston Pops, and the National Symphony Orchestra.

Learn more about sponsorship opportunities for BrightFocus Foundation’s 50th Anniversary Celebration.

For questions, contact Amanda Russell at arussell@brightfocus.org or (301) 556-9368.

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