ARVO 2015 Making powerful connections in vision research, online networking

Take-home message: More than 11,000 clinicians and researchers will gather in Denver to learn more about leading eye and vision research at the 2015 meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

ARVO View By Katrina Norfleet

Denver-The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) is weeks away from hosting its 2015 annual meeting in Denver-where more than 11,000 attendees from more than 75 countries are expected to gather May 3 to 7 under the theme, “Powerful Connections: Vision Research and Online Networking.”

Starting with a Sunday keynote address by Gary Shapiro, president and chief executive officer of Consumer Electronics Association, ARVO will explore how online networking is changing the way clinicians communicate, collaborate, and conduct research. Attendees will discover and discuss the increasing importance of these networks in exchanging ideas, promoting scientific discourse, sharing discoveries, building global collaborations, and advancing careers.

Need CME units?

ARVO is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Physicians can choose from more than 130 CME approved activities. The maximum amount of credit attendees can earn is 31.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. To view the complete ARVO 2015 CME program, visit arvo.org/cme.

New this year: A Saturday session

• Vision and Traumatic Brain Injury in Veterans and Athletes

Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m. to noon

This session, free and open to the public, will address the interface between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and visual function. Learn about the research that is uncovering important similarities between military blast TBI-related visual dysfunction and ocular pathology resulting from sports-related head injuries.

Following an introduction by U.S. Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO), four of the field’s most prominent researchers will discuss:

• Retinal pathology in chronic traumatic encephalopathy,

• Visual sensory impairments and progression following mild TBI,

• Afferent visual function in veterans with TBI,

• TBI and chronic traumatic encephalopathy in athletes and combat veterans, and

• Experimental models of impact and blast neurotrauma: implications for ophthalmology and vision research

Plus, attendees will hear from a panel of blinded veterans affected by TBI and visual disorders.

ARVO/Alcon Keynote Series

• Ninja Innovation – Where Technology is Taking Us

Sunday, May 3, 12 to 1:15 p.m.

Gary Shapiro-head of the nation’s largest technology trade association-will share with attendees the next trends in technology and their implications for health, lifestyle, privacy, and safety. Shapiro will also describe coming changes in display technology. Find out how these might affect your practice.

Ebola and the Eye: A Story of Discovery and Uncertainty
Thursday, May 7, 1:55 to 3:15 p.m.

Ian Crozier, MD, an infectious disease specialist, was living in Uganda where he was teaching physicians and providing care for patients with HIV/AIDS, when the Ebola outbreak began in West Africa. He signed on with the World Health Organization and arrived in Kenema, Sierra Leone to help in the fight against the outbreak in August 2014. Within a few weeks, he himself contracted the disease and was evacuated to Emory University Hospital in critical condition.

Dr. Crozier and a team of ophthalmology and infectious disease physicians from Emory University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will share their perspectives into Crozier's evacuation, treatment, recovery and subsequent vision-threatening condition, as each of them dealt with the uncertainty and long-term implications of this virus. Moderated by ARVO president William Mieler, the panel and discussion will include:

• Update and Challenges in the Management of the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa
  Tim Uyeki, MD, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta.

• Hospital Course and Infection Control in the Emory Serious Communicable Diseases Unit
  Jay B. Varkey, MD, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Atlanta.

• Ophthalmic Course and Management of Panuveitis Due to Ebola Virus Disease
  Steven Yeh, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, Emory Eye Center, Atlanta.

•  Diagnostic and Treatment Uncertainty in a Novel, Sight-Threatening Disease
  Jessica G. Shantha, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, Emory Eye Center, Atlanta.

• Perspectives on Ebola Virus Disease: Both Sides of the Curtain
  Ian Crozier, MD, Infectious Diseases Institute, Mulago Hospital Complex, Kampala, Uganda

Basic Clinical Lecture

• Neurovascular Interactions in Diseases of the Eye

Sunday, May 3, 5:15 to 7:15 p.m.

This symposium will address an NEI Audacious Goal, “Neural Connections in the Eye and Visual System.” Experts will highlight neurovascular mechanisms involving the vasculatures of the retina, hyaloid and choroid, and six associated diseases in order to expand and broaden the understanding of neurovascular interactions in the posterior eye.

• Champalimaud Vision Award Lecture

Joan Miller, MD, FARVO and Napoleone Ferrara, MD

Tuesday, May 5, 5:45 to 7 p.m.

Dr. Miller and Dr. Ferrara-two of the seven ARVO members named as the recipients of the 2014 Antonio Champalimaud Vision Award-will present on their pioneering work to treat age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Dr. Miller will present on the topic, “VEGF: From Discovery to Therapy.” Dr. Ferrara’s presentation is titled, “Discovery of VEGF-A, a Key Regulator of Intraocular Neovascularization.”

The 2014 Champalimaud recipients are:

• Napoleone Ferrara, MD
  University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center

• Joan Whitten Miller, MD, FARVO
  Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston

• Evangelos S. Gragoudas, MD, FARVO
  Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston

• Patricia A. D'Amore, PhD, MBA, FARVO
  Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

• Anthony P. Adamis, MD, FARVO 
  Genentech; also affiliated with HMS Ophthalmology and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

• George L. King, MD, FARVO
  Joslin Diabetes Center

• Lloyd Paul Aiello, MD, PhD, FARVO 
  Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston

Student/trainee events

ARVO Education Course

Strategies for Effective Grant Writing

Saturday, May 2, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Led by faculty from across the globe, including experts in grantsmanship, this full-day course will focus on grant targeting strategies, planning, writing impactful proposal, and responding to reviews. The full-day course will be highly interactive with time dedicated throughout the day to address questions from participants. The training will focus on strategies that apply to any grant making organization, including NIH, private foundations and non-U.S. funding agencies.

Pizza and Breakfast with an expert

Sunday, May 3, 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Wednesday, May 6, 7 to 8:30 a.m.

These popular sessions offer informal discussions over pizza lunch on Sunday or breakfast on Wednesday on a wide range of topics. Experienced colleagues provide personal guidance, insight, and skills to help students and trainees advance their career. Topics focus on professional development in academic clinical medicine and clinician-scientists careers.

Career Forum

Monday, May 5, 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Small-group roundtable discussions will focus on helping students, fellows and residents prepare for their next career move. Attendees should bring their lunch.

Clinician-scientist Forum: How to Become a Successful Clinician-scientist

Wednesday, May 6, 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Clinician-scientists at various stages in their career will share their experiences with attendees. Plus, an extramural representative from the National Eye Institute will be available to discuss funding mechanisms for clinician-scientists.

Get ready for ARVO 2016

It’s not too early to start planning for the ARVO 2016 annual meeting in Seattle Washington, May 1 to 5. The Washington State Convention Center is conveniently located in Seattle’s downtown center, within walking distance from hotels and only blocks away from the popular Pike Place Market. To learn more about ARVO 2016 registration, hotel, program, or social events, visit arvo.org/am.

Katrina Norfleet is assistant director of communications, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. Readers may contact Norfleet at 240/221-2924 or knorfleet@arvo.org.