Newswise — For his research project to determine whether therapies can be designed to modulate the immune system to prevent vision loss and blindness in glaucoma patients, Stuart J. McKinnon, MD, PhD was awarded the 2016 Shaffer Prize for Innovative Glaucoma Research.
In ceremonies at the Glaucoma 360 Annual Gala on January 28th in San Francisco, Thomas Brunner, President and CEO of the Glaucoma Research Foundation, presented the Shaffer Prize to Dr. McKinnon for his study, “Neuroinflammation: The Role of Lymphocytes in Glaucoma.”
Dr. McKinnon is an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Neurobiology at the Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina.
Funding for the research project was provided by a grant from Dr. James and Elizabeth Wise through the Glaucoma Research Foundation. Dr. Wise also received an award at the event. He was recognized with the Visionary Award for his contributions to the field of ophthalmology and laser surgery as well as his generous support of research through the Shaffer Grants.
Dr. McKinnon specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and cataract. His areas of expertise include open-angle and closed-angle glaucoma, neovascular and other secondary glaucomas, and juvenile glaucoma. His areas of research include basic mechanisms of retinal cell death in glaucoma, neuroprotective glaucoma therapies, non-invasive imaging of glaucoma damage, and relationships between glaucoma and other chronic neurodegenerations such as Alzheimer's disease.
The Shaffer Prize, selected annually by the Scientific Advisory Committee for the Glaucoma Research Foundation, recognizes a researcher whose project best exemplifies the pursuit of innovative ideas in the quest to better understand glaucoma.
The Shaffer Prize for Innovative Glaucoma Research was established in 2007 to honor the late Robert N. Shaffer, MD, a co-founder of the Glaucoma Research Foundation.
About Glaucoma Research Foundation
Founded in 1978 and headquartered in San Francisco, Glaucoma Research Foundation is America's oldest and most experienced nonprofit dedicated solely to its mission: to prevent vision loss from glaucoma by investing in innovative research, education and support with the ultimate goal of finding a cure. Glaucoma Research Foundation has invested more than $50 million into research and education to prevent vision loss from glaucoma. More information is available at www.glaucoma.org.
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