BrightFocus Foundation Honored by World’s Largest Eye and Vision Research Community
Clarksburg, MD-BrightFocus Foundation was honored on April 22, 2023, by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) at the world’s largest eye and vision research conference in New Orleans. BrightFocus was honored in recognition of its philanthropic support of ARVO’s Travel Grant program, the EyeFind Research Grant, and the Women in Eye and Vision Research (WEAVR) initiative, executed in partnership with ARVO to cultivate vision research growth for the past few decades.
Honorees were selected by the ARVO Foundation Board of Governors in recognition of their commitment to ARVO and the ARVO Foundation, either through generous financial support, exemplary leadership of an initiative, or dedication to endeavors that represent the mission of the ARVO Foundation. BrightFocus was the only nonprofit to be honored.
BrightFocus Foundation has been funding breakthroughs in vision research for nearly 50 years. ARVO advances research worldwide into understanding the visual system and preventing, treating, and curing its disorders and brings together more than 11,000 scientists annually.
More than 115 research projects presented at this year’s conference were funded by BrightFocus through its Macular Degeneration Research and National Glaucoma Research programs. BrightFocus has funded 82 ARVO travel grants since 2018.
Joel S. Schuman, MD, FARVO, ARVO Foundation Chair said, “The ARVO Foundation is pleased to recognize the BrightFocus Foundation as a 2023 honoree. We look forward to our continued collaboration in support of advancing eye and vision research worldwide.”
W. Daniel Stamer, PhD, FARVO, past ARVO President and long-serving BrightFocus scientific advisor, will also be recognized for his efforts to develop the EyeFind Research Grant and his philanthropic support of ARVO.
Preeti Subramanian, PhD, Director of Scientific Programs, Vision, at BrightFocus also was selected to serve on the Diversity Initiatives Committee and is a member of the Women in Eye and Vision Research initiative.
“We are honored to be recognized by such a prestigious industry leader at this year’s conference,” said Diane Bovenkamp, PhD, Vice President, Scientific Programs, BrightFocus Foundation. “We cherish our fruitful, long-term partnership with ARVO to move innovative science forward around the world and develop the brightest stars in vision research.”
“We’re nearing our 50th-anniversary celebratory year starting this May,” said Stacy Haller, President and CEO of BrightFocus. “We are so grateful for the opportunity to look toward the next 50 years of progress and to collaborate with such an incredible group that shares our mission to provide hope to the millions affected by vision diseases.”
Information about BrightFocus’ next batch of international neurodegenerative disease research grant applications in glaucoma, macular degeneration, Alzheimer’s, and related dementias is available online.
About BrightFocus Foundation
BrightFocus Foundation is a premier nonprofit funder of research to defeat Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Through its flagship research programs—Alzheimer’s Disease Research, National Glaucoma Research, and Macular Degeneration Research—the Foundation is currently supporting a $75 million portfolio of 287 scientific projects worldwide. BrightFocus has awarded nearly $300 million in groundbreaking research funding over the past 50 years and shares the latest research findings, expert information, and English/Spanish disease resources to empower the millions impacted by these devastating diseases. Learn more at Brightfocus.org.
Contact
Julia Roth
BrightFocus Foundation
jroth@brightfocus.org
301-556-9382
Kaci Baez
BrightFocus Foundation
kbaez@brightfocus.org
301-556-9370