BrightFocus Foundation Expands Scientific Team

New Hires to Support Global Research Portfolio

BrightFocus Foundation, a premier source of private research funding to defeat Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration, and glaucoma, has named two noted scientists to key positions within the non-profit organization.

Preeti Subramanian, PhD, is the new Director of Scientific Programs, Vision Science, responsible for managing BrightFocus’ Macular Degeneration Research and National Glaucoma Research programs.  Dr. Subramanian comes to BrightFocus from the National Eye Institute at the National Institutes of Health. She received her PhD in biochemistry from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her work, which includes inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurotrophic activity (growth and survival of retinal neurons) in retinal diseases and cancer, has been published in a number of leading scientific journals.

Keith Whitaker, PhD, joins BrightFocus as its new Director of Scientific Programs, Neuroscience, responsible for managing the Alzheimer’s Disease Research program.  Prior to BrightFocus, Dr. Whitaker served for six years as a research biologist with the US Army Research Laboratory, where he led a collaborative, high-risk biotechnology project studying how to manipulate immune cells in the brain after an injury.  He received his PhD in neurobiology from the University of Texas at Austin.

“Drs. Subramanian and Whitaker will strengthen BrightFocus’ ability to identify and support groundbreaking science – research that spans national borders and scientific disciplines to find cures for diseases of mind and sight,” said Diane Bovenkamp, PhD, BrightFocus Vice President for Scientific Affairs, “I am excited that these two talented and dedicated scientists have joined our team.”