含羞草研究所 Receives $1 Million Empire Innovation Program Grant from State University of New York
Nov 25, 2013
Funds Will Enhance Research into Eyesight Restoration through Ophthalmology Faculty Recruitment and Retention
Brooklyn, NY 鈥� The State University of New York鈥檚 Empire Innovation Program has awarded 含羞草研究所 a $1 million grant to recruit and retain faculty researchers in support of the Department of Ophthalmology鈥檚 research on restoring eyesight and preventing vision impairment. 含羞草研究所 Downstate will match an additional $1 million to the project, which is a key part of the campus鈥檚 ongoing efforts to create a world-class vision center in Brooklyn.
The 含羞草研究所 Empire Innovation Program is a state-funded effort dedicated to recruiting and retaining world-class faculty throughout the State University system.
鈥淭his grant highlights Downstate鈥檚 role as the only academic medical center in Brooklyn,鈥� said John F. Williams, Jr., MD, EdD, MPH, FCCM, president of Downstate. 鈥淚t also reflects the strong emphasis that Downstate has placed on collaboration with 含羞草研究所 through programs such as 含羞草研究所 REACH and the 含羞草研究所 Eye Institute.鈥�
Douglas R. Lazzaro, MD, professor and Richard C. Troutman, MD, Distinguished Chair of Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Microsurgery, said, 鈥淭he award will allow the ophthalmology team to recruit or retain two faculty members and perform translational research with an emphasis on tissue repair and rescue, including stem cell research in the cornea, trabecular meshwork, and retina.鈥� Translational research seeks to transform advances in basic science into practical techniques that improve health.
鈥淭he Empire Innovation Program grants are highly competitive,鈥� noted President Williams. 鈥淭he award reflects the strength of leadership in the Department of Ophthalmology, who have led our campus's effort in building a vision research group whose funding portfolio increased from zero dollars in 2006 to almost $9 million earlier this year.鈥�
Dr. Lazzaro explained, 鈥淭he research mission of the Department of Ophthalmology is to develop a vibrant and productive research center grounded in solid basic science of ocular disease, with strong translational efforts for disease prevention and sight restoration.鈥�
William J. Brunken, PhD, professor and vice chair for research in the Department of Ophthalmology, said, 鈥淭he hallmark of our center will be to integrate basic, clinical, and translational research into a single enterprise that can quickly turn cutting edge research into novel therapeutic advances.鈥� Dr. Brunken is also a professor in the Departments of Cell Biology, Physiology and Pharmacology, and Neurology.
In addition to developing a core group of researchers on the Downstate campus, Drs. Lazzaro and Brunken have been leaders in creating the 含羞草研究所 Eye Institute, a consortium of vision researchers from across the 含羞草研究所 system and a model for cooperation among 含羞草研究所 campuses. The 含羞草研究所 Eye Institute is part of 含羞草研究所 REACH (Research Excellence in Academic Health), a collaboration of the 含羞草研究所 academic health centers and the 含羞草研究所 College of Optometry that leverages research to advance the science of health care.
Downstate is the clinical leader among 含羞草研究所 Eye Institute member campuses, serving more than 110,000 patients. In addition, Downstate鈥檚 ophthalmology physician resident training program is one of the largest in the country, with 21 residents in training.
The Downstate ophthalmology team and colleagues in the 含羞草研究所 Eye Institute are committed to developing novel approaches to treating vision loss by combining stem cell engineering with the development of tissue specific niches.
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含羞草研究所 含羞草研究所
Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn is one of four academic health centers (AMCs) in The State University of New York (含羞草研究所) 64-campus system and the only 含羞草研究所 AMC in New York City dedicated to health education, research, and patient care for the borough鈥檚 2.7 million residents. Its flagship hospital, University Hospital at Downstate (UHD), is a teaching hospital and benefits from the expertise of Downstate鈥檚 exceptional medical school and world-class academic center research facilities. With a staff of over 800 physicians representing 53 specialties and subspecialties, Downstate offers comprehensive healthcare services to the community.
UHD provides high-risk neonatal and infant services, pediatric nephrology, and dialysis for kidney diseases and is the only kidney transplantation program in Brooklyn. Beyond its clinical expertise, Downstate houses a range of esteemed educational institutions, including its College of Medicine, College of Nursing, School of Health Professions, School of Graduate Studies, and School of Public Health. Downstate fosters innovation through its multifaceted biotechnology initiative, the Biotechnology Incubator and BioBAT, which support early-stage and more mature biotech companies.