News — Rockville, Md.—The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Foundation announced today the recipients of the 2024 ARVO Foundation Collaborative Research Fellowship: Franco Benvenuto, MD; María Constanza Tripolone, PhD, and Uloma Ubani-Ukoma B. Pharm, MSc, PhD.
The Fellowship pairs early-career researchers from developing countries with collaborating scientists in well-established research laboratories with the aim to strengthen ophthalmic research capacities worldwide. The Fellows will be awarded up to $10,000 in funding, based on their submitted budget, to support a one-year project that can include additional training in specialty equipment or research methodologies.
Benvenuto [Hospital J.P. Garrahan, Argentina] is researching using Gemcitabine as a repurposing drug (i.e., using old drugs for new indications) to treat retinoblastoma — a potentially fatal tumor of the developing retina that is highly curable if patients are diagnosed in the early stages. His work may facilitate identification of new, cost-effective and accessible treatments for the most common primary pediatric eye cancer. Benvenuto says this is particularly crucial as most children with advanced retinoblastoma live in low- and middle-income countries. “This award will provide critical support for advancing my research ... enabling us to conduct essential preclinical and clinical studies. It will facilitate access to the necessary resources, including laboratory materials, collaborative networks, and specialized training.”
Benvenuto added this award is a significant recognition of the importance of advancing research in ocular oncology and is crucial to advancing and strengthening his career as a clinician-scientist. “It reinforces my commitment to pursuing innovative therapeutic strategies and motivates me to continue exploring novel approaches that could improve patient outcomes. This recognition not only validates the scientific potential of the proposed research but also highlights the pressing need for continued efforts in this field."
Tripolone [Instituto de Investigación en Luz, Ambiente y Visión - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (ILAV-CONICET), Argentina] is investigating early detection of diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma using a technique that allows selective stimulation of each type of photoreceptor by isolating its function from that of the others. “Diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma are among the leading causes of blindness worldwide," notes Tripolone. "Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can prevent the progression of these diseases and thus maintain patients' quality of life. Therefore, detecting changes in the early stages of the disease plays a crucial role in preventing significant vision loss. My research project aims to investigate the early detection of diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma using silent substitution in functional tests such as electroretinography, chromatic pupillometry, and psychophysical tests."
Tripolone says she is honored to have been awarded the ARVO Foundation Colloborative Research Fellowship. “This will allow me to conduct my research project at the Clinical Psychophysics and Electrophysiology Laboratory (University of Illinois, USA) in collaboration with Dr. Jason Mcanany. During my stay, I will be trained in retinal assessment techniques modified by selective photoreceptor stimulation, and I will also investigate the ability of these techniques for early detection of diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma,” explains Tripolone. “Carrying out this project will be a great step forward in my postdoctoral studies and will bring me closer to my long-term goal of becoming an independent researcher. It will also give me the opportunity to establish research relationships with the host lab.”
Ubani-Ukoma (University of Lagos, Nigeria) is investigating the possibility of incorporating two antimicrobial drugs as a fixed-dose combination into electrospun fibres for the treatment of eye infections. "Eye infections require instillation of antimicrobial eye drops multiples times in a day to ensure that the right amount of medication stays long enough in the eye to achieve its therapeutic effect. Unfortunately, many patients are not able to administer the drugs this many times in a day because of busy schedules and/or forgetfulness." Ubani-Ukoma's goal is for her drug formulation to sustain the release of medications and enhance drug delivery to improve drug adherence among patients. “Ultimately, patients will prefer a once daily (fixed-dose combination) drug administration to multiple drug applications in a day. Hence, the quality of life of patients will be improved and the therapeutic efficacy of the prescribed medication(s) is ascertained.”
Ubani-Ukoma says this award holds profound significance to her. “The ARVO Collaborative Research Fellowship award will provide me with the needed funds to carry out research in my area of interest. It also affords me the opportunity to be mentored by an established academic in my research area. This research award also comes with an extra advantage of attending the ARVO Annual Meeting where I can share my research findings, meet with industry leaders and academics in vision and ophthalmic research.”
For more information on the ARVO Foundation Collaborative Research Fellowship, visit ARVO’s website.
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The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) is the largest eye and vision research organization in the world. Members include approximately 10,000 eye and vision researchers from over 75 countries. ARVO advances research worldwide into understanding the visual system and preventing, treating and curing its disorders. Learn more at ARVO.org.
Established in 2001, the ARVO Foundation for Eye Research raises funds through partnerships, grants and sponsorships to support ARVO’s world-class education and career development resources for eye and vision researchers of all stages of career and education. Learn more at ARVOFoundation.org.
Media contact:
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