06/14/13
Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness seed grants awarded to six IEEI researchers
Critical research grants support the fight against blindness
Dr. Varma is pleased to congratulate the recipients of the ISPB awards. “This is a wonderful recognition of their work. I am sure this award motivates them to continue to excel in their research. I am very grateful to the ISPB selection committee for supporting the work of these early stage scientists.”
Vinay Aakalu, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Oculoplastic & Reconstructive Surgery Service
Director, Lacrimal Cell Biology Laboratory
Project Title: Accessory lacrimal tissue precursor cell biology

Joseph Bogaard, Medical Student
Retina Chemical Genomics Laboratory
Project Title: CYP2C9 mediated neuroprotection in retinal degenerative disease

Joshua Hou, MD
Graduating Ophthalmology Resident
and 2013-2014 Cornea Fellow
Project Title: Characterization of melt-associated retroprosthetic membranes in patients with the Boston Keratoprosthesis using immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization

Heather Moss, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Director, Neuro-Ophthalmology Service
Project Title: Ganglion cell function in papilledema

Rajni Parthasarathy
Graduate Student
Photoreceptor Research Laboratory
Project Title: Detection and quantification of amyloid-beta protein in eye tissues

Joy Sarkar, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Corneal Neurobiology Laboratory
Project Title: Extracellular DNA in tear fluid: innate mechanism of ocular surface inflammation
