WVU Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences announces record-setting grant awards for second quarter
The National Eye Institute has awarded $9.5 million in new and continued grant funding to the WVU Eye Institute and its associated academic departments.
This growth capitalizes on an exciting time for the WVU Eye Institute, as the University and its academic medical partner, WVU Medicine, gear up for the opening of their new $233 million facility in 2027.
“We’re seeing unparalleled growth in ophthalmologic research and a renewed energy and sense of purpose and pride in our research efforts,” Thomas Mauger, MD, executive chair of the WVU Eye Institute, said.
- Tony Realini, MD, MPH, has received a five-year grant renewal of $1,953,173 from the US Department of Health and Human Services for research on Clarifying the Optimal Application of SLT Therapy.
- Ezequiel Salido, MD, PhD, has received a five-year grant renewal of $1,900,000 from the National Institutes of Health for research on Role of interphotoreceptor matrix proteoglycans in retinal homeostasis and retinitis pigmentosa.
- Michael Robichaux, PhD, and Wen Tao Deng, PhD, have received a two-year grant of $420,750 from the National Eye Institute for research on A method for combined pulse chase labeling and super-resolution microscopy in mouse rod photoreceptor neurons.
- Michael Robichaux, PhD, and Wen Tao Deng, PhD, have received a two-year grant of $420,750 from the National Institutes of Health for research on Molecular Regulators of Cone Opsin Trafficking.
- Saravanan Kolandaivelu, PhD, has received a four-year grant of $2,204,576 from the National Eye Institute for research on Mechanism Behind Nuclear-Specific Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) Synthase, Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Adenylyl Transferase-1 (NMNAT1) in Retinal Photoreceptor Biogenesis and Health.
- Joel Palko, MD, has received a five-year grant of $2,602,360 from the National Institutes of Health for research on Unraveling the interplay of hemodynamic and biomechanical determinants in glaucoma pathophysiology.
For a full listing of the WVU Eye Institute’s cross-collaborating research faculty, visit medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/eye/research/eye-institute-research-faculty.
For more information on the department’s research efforts, visit medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/eye/research.