ARVO gears up for 2014

ARVO View By Katrina Norfleet

Katrina Norfleet

It is not too early for members of the vision science community to make plans for the 2014 meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).

As the year winds down, the association also recognizes updates and achievements in translational research and opens up nominations for the ARVO Achievement Awards.

Recognizing translational research

Translational Vision Science & Technology (TVST), the newest open-access, online and peer-reviewed journal published by ARVO, features articles on multidisciplinary research that bridge the gap between basic research and clinical care.

TVST has included articles in areas of low vision, genetic and ophthalmic imaging, as well as a special issue covering nanotechnology and regenerative medicine: Vision Restoration: Regenerative Medicine in Ophthalmology.

TVST covers a broad spectrum of work of interest to clinicians including:

• Applications of stem cell technology for regenerative medicine

• Nanotechnology for drug delivery

• Developments in ophthalmic surgery

• Results of phase I clinical trials 

• Reverse translational (“bedside to bench”) research

To read the articles, or submit a transcript, visit the TVST website at tvstjournal.org.

Young clinician-scientists awarded

Congratulations to the 2014 Pfizer Camras Translational Research Award recipients-early career researchers who have exhibited excellence in research and in their fundamental scientific discoveries:

• Rajendra Apte, MD, PhD (IM), Washington University School of Medicine: Dr. Apte’s findings spawned a series of translational studies, which led to an age-related macular degeneration (AMD) drug development initiative and biomarker development for dry eye disease and AMD.

• Farhad Hafezi, MD, PhD (CO), Geneva University Hospitals and University of Southern California, Los Angeles: Dr. Hafezi was one of the core team of innovators who developed and brought to market the corneal collagen crosslinking method and transitioned this method from basic/pre-clinical studies to later arresting corneal degeneration caused by keratoconus in patients.

• Hendrik P.N. Scholl, MD, MA (RE), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine: Dr. Scholl, one of the few retinal dystrophy experts in the world who is also an accomplished vitreoretinal surgeon, was recognized for his contributions to the understanding of the pathophysiology of blinding eye diseases.

To learn more about the 2014 recipients or to nominate colleagues for the 2015 award, visit arvofoundation.org.

2014 Achievement Awards

ARVO Achievement Awards are an opportunity to recognize members of the vision research community for their exceptional contributions to ophthalmology and visual science.

Achievement Awards include the Proctor Medal and the Weisenfeld, Friedenwald, and Cogan awards, as well as the Joanne G. Angle Service and Kupfer Service awards.

Consider nominating a colleague for one or more of these prestigious awards before March 1, 2014.

There is no membership or geographical restrictions for nominees or nominators. Awards will be presented during the 2014 ARVO annual meeting.

To nominate a colleague or mentor, visit arvo.org/awards.

Gearing up for the 2014 ARVO Annual Meeting

Under the banner of “Leading Eye and Vision Research,” ARVO will host its 2014 annual meeting in Orlando, May 4 to 8.

Clinicians and researches will come together to discover how eye and vision research is leading efforts in many related areas, including neuroscience, tissue imaging, preventative health and others.

Abstract submissions are now being accepted through Dec. 6.

Learn more at arvo.org/am.

Key dates for 2014 ARVO Meeting

• Now: Hotel reservations open

• Now: Registration open

• Dec. 6: Abstract submission closes

• Dec. 6: Deadline for special interest group (SIG) session submissions

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

Subscribe to Ophthalmology Times to receive the latest clinical news and updates for ophthalmologists.