The Funds Distribution Committee (FDC) has announced that four new projects have been granted funding. These include:
- Melanie Schmitt, MD: $1,498 to publish “Impact of Amblyopia,” an abstract
- Donna Neumann, PhD, and Colleen McDowell, PhD: $18,450 for their study, “HSV-1 Reactivation and Glaucomatous Trabecular Meshwork”
- Stuart Tompson, PhD: $22,131 in support of his project, “Towards Spatial Transcriptome Profiling Aqueous Outflow Tissue Development”
- Nader Sheibani, PhD: $60,575 to purchase a SMZ25 motorized stereomicroscope.
In 2020, the FDC awarded more than $317,000 to support academic pursuits, research and equipment purchases.
About the FDC
The FDC provides recommendations to the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Chair regarding distribution of awarded and garnered funds from the UW Foundation, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, UW School of Medicine and Public Health, and outside donations provided to the department. Since its inception in 2016, FDC has awarded more than $844,000, including $300,000 in support from the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin. Funds support medical student and resident research projects, international training opportunities, and faculty research and equipment. There are also designated funds for research in age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cornea research.