Latest news with #StacyPagosHaller
National Post
13-05-2025
- Health
- National Post
BrightFocus Foundation Awards Nearly $13M to 50 Scientists for Alzheimer's, Macular Degeneration, and Glaucoma Research
Article content New grant funding supports cutting-edge scientific ideas across risk reduction, earlier detection, and new treatments for diseases of mind and sight. Article content Article content CLARKSBURG, Md. — Private research nonprofit BrightFocus Foundation today announced nearly $13 million in grants to support early investigative research into Alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. This includes $7.3 million to its Alzheimer's Disease Research program, $3.8 million to its Macular Degeneration Research program, and $1.8 million to its National Glaucoma Research program. Article content 'With recent major cuts to federal research funding, private foundations like BrightFocus are more essential than ever—stepping up to keep promising research alive, nurture early-career scientists, and accelerate breakthroughs.' Guided by scientific advisory committees of world-renowned researchers in the field, BrightFocus invests in highly innovative, experimental research and creative ideas with the most promise to foster a better understanding of disease onset, improve early detection and diagnosis, develop new treatments, and—ultimately—lead to cures. This year's grants were awarded to scientists in 10 countries including the U.S. Article content 'This year's grant awards represent some of the boldest, most cutting-edge ideas in vision and brain health research,' said BrightFocus President and CEO Stacy Pagos Haller. 'With recent major cuts to federal research funding, private foundations like BrightFocus are more essential than ever—stepping up to keep promising research alive, nurture early-career scientists, and accelerate breakthroughs.' Article content BrightFocus Foundation's research programs are supported entirely by private donor contributions from the public and corporate and foundation grants; BrightFocus receives no government funding. Learn more about how to support our work. Article content A complete list of the new research projects will be available this summer on BrightFocus' website, with additional details forthcoming upon the completion of individual agreements with the partnering institutions and scientists. Article content Over 7 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's disease, a progressive, terminal brain disorder that has no known cause or cure. Unless scientists can unlock the secrets of this disease, the number of cases is expected to triple by the year 2050. Grant recipients are studying a range of approaches spanning different areas of the brain and body to better understand the disease's onset and progression. Article content Alzheimer's Disease Research grant recipients: Article content Katerina Akassoglou, PhD The J. David Gladstone Institutes Article content Federica Anastasi, PhD Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (Spain) Article content Isabelle Aubert, PhD Sunnybrook Research Institute (Canada) Article content Daniel Bos, MD, PhD Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam (Netherlands) Article content Todd J. Cohen, PhD University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Article content Joshua Emmerson, PhD Washington University in St. Louis Article content Ghazaleh Eskandari-Sedighi, PhD University of California, Irvine Article content Anllely Fernandez, PhD Indiana University Article content Hongjun Fu, PhD The Ohio State University Article content Laura Fumagalli, PhD Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (Belgium) Article content John Hardy, PhD, FRS University College London (U.K.) Article content Joseph Herdy, PhD The Salk Institute for Biological Studies Article content Sarah Elise Heuer, PhD Brigham and Women's Hospital Article content Jack Humphrey, PhD Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Article content Ksenia Kastanenka, PhD Massachusetts General Hospital Article content Jr-Jiun Liou, PhD University of Pittsburgh Article content Jae-eun Miller, PhD Columbia University Article content Miguel Moutinho, PharmD, PhD Indiana University Article content Carolina Ochoa-Rosales, PhD Adolfo Ibáñez University (Chile) Article content Omar Peña-Ramos, PhD Baylor College of Medicine Article content Cyril Pottier, PhD Washington University in St. Louis Article content Marcos Schaan Profes, PhD Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Article content Nader Saffari, PhD, MSc, BSc University College London (U.K.) Article content Monica Santisteban, PhD Vanderbilt University Medical Center Article content Feng Tian, PhD Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Article content Rebecca Wallings, DPhil Indiana University Article content Justyna Dobrowolska Zakaria, PhD Northwestern University – Chicago Campus Article content Damian Zuloaga, PhD University at Albany Article content Macular Degeneration Research Article content Twenty million U.S. adults have macular degeneration—the leading cause of vision loss in Americans aged 65 and older. Early detection and treatment are crucial to slowing the disease progression and preventing permanent vision loss. Grant recipients are exploring a wide range of innovative scientific approaches, from exploring ways to regenerate damaged cells to determining the influence of early-life events and lifestyle factors on disease risk. Article content Macular Degeneration Research grant recipients: Article content Mohajeet Balveer Bhuckory, PhD Stanford University School of Medicine Article content Ana J. Chucair-Elliott, PhD University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Article content Charles DeBoer, MD, PhD Stanford University School of Medicine Article content Ashley Farre, PhD University of Idaho Article content Valencia Fernandes, PhD University of California, San Francisco Article content Masayuki Hata, MD, PhD Kyoto University (Japan) Article content Ruchi Sharma, PhD National Eye Institute, NIH Article content Nobuhiko Shiraki, PhD Duke University School of Medicine Article content Daisy Yao Shu, PhD University of New South Wales (Australia) Article content Jerzy Szablowski, PhD William Marsh Rice University Article content Amir Mani Varnoosfaderani, PhD University of Chicago Article content Joëlle Elise Vergroesen, PhD Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam (Netherlands) Article content National Glaucoma Research Article content Around 4 million U.S. adults have glaucoma—a leading cause of blindness in the U.S. caused by damage to the optic nerve. Because there are often no early symptoms, as many as half of those affected may not even know they have it until irreversible vision loss has occurred. Although there is no cure, early detection and treatments can help slow the disease's progression. Article content Grant recipients are investigating a wide range of scientific approaches, including novel treatments, early detection methods, and efforts to protect and regenerate retinal ganglion cells that could preserve or restore vision. Article content National Glaucoma Research grant recipients: Article content Brad Fortune, OD, PhD Legacy Research Institute Article content Tatjana Jakobs, MD Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass. Eye and Ear Article content Colleen McDowell, PhD University of Wisconsin-Madison Article content Rob Nickells, PhD University of Wisconsin-Madison Article content Gavin Roddy, MD, PhD Mayo Clinic, Rochester Article content Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk, PhD University of California, Irvine Article content Dan Stamer, PhD Duke University Article content Karl Wahlin, PhD University of California, San Diego – Health Sciences Article content Pete Williams, PhD Karolinska Institute (Sweden) Article content Benjamin Xu, MD, PhD University of Southern California Article content BrightFocus encourages researchers with groundbreaking ideas to apply for a 2026 grant. Application information is available at Article content BrightFocus Foundation is a premier global nonprofit funder of research to defeat Alzheimer's, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Through its flagship research programs — Alzheimer's Disease Research, Macular Degeneration Research, and National Glaucoma Research— the Foundation has awarded over $300 million in groundbreaking research funding since its inception in 1973 and shares the latest research findings, expert information, and resources to empower the millions impacted by these devastating diseases. Learn more at Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
Business Wire
13-05-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
BrightFocus Foundation Awards Nearly $13M to 50 Scientists for Alzheimer's, Macular Degeneration, and Glaucoma Research
CLARKSBURG, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Private research nonprofit BrightFocus Foundation today announced nearly $13 million in grants to support early investigative research into Alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. This includes $7.3 million to its Alzheimer's Disease Research program, $3.8 million to its Macular Degeneration Research program, and $1.8 million to its National Glaucoma Research program. 'With recent major cuts to federal research funding, private foundations like BrightFocus are more essential than ever—stepping up to keep promising research alive, nurture early-career scientists, and accelerate breakthroughs.' Share Guided by scientific advisory committees of world-renowned researchers in the field, BrightFocus invests in highly innovative, experimental research and creative ideas with the most promise to foster a better understanding of disease onset, improve early detection and diagnosis, develop new treatments, and—ultimately—lead to cures. This year's grants were awarded to scientists in 10 countries including the U.S. 'This year's grant awards represent some of the boldest, most cutting-edge ideas in vision and brain health research,' said BrightFocus President and CEO Stacy Pagos Haller. 'With recent major cuts to federal research funding, private foundations like BrightFocus are more essential than ever—stepping up to keep promising research alive, nurture early-career scientists, and accelerate breakthroughs.' BrightFocus Foundation's research programs are supported entirely by private donor contributions from the public and corporate and foundation grants; BrightFocus receives no government funding. Learn more about how to support our work. A complete list of the new research projects will be available this summer on BrightFocus' website, with additional details forthcoming upon the completion of individual agreements with the partnering institutions and scientists. Alzheimer's Disease Research Over 7 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's disease, a progressive, terminal brain disorder that has no known cause or cure. Unless scientists can unlock the secrets of this disease, the number of cases is expected to triple by the year 2050. Grant recipients are studying a range of approaches spanning different areas of the brain and body to better understand the disease's onset and progression. Alzheimer's Disease Research grant recipients: Katerina Akassoglou, PhD The J. David Gladstone Institutes Federica Anastasi, PhD Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (Spain) Isabelle Aubert, PhD Sunnybrook Research Institute (Canada) Daniel Bos, MD, PhD Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam (Netherlands) Todd J. Cohen, PhD University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Joshua Emmerson, PhD Washington University in St. Louis Ghazaleh Eskandari-Sedighi, PhD University of California, Irvine Anllely Fernandez, PhD Indiana University Hongjun Fu, PhD The Ohio State University Laura Fumagalli, PhD Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (Belgium) John Hardy, PhD, FRS University College London (U.K.) Joseph Herdy, PhD The Salk Institute for Biological Studies Sarah Elise Heuer, PhD Brigham and Women's Hospital Jack Humphrey, PhD Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Ksenia Kastanenka, PhD Massachusetts General Hospital Jr-Jiun Liou, PhD University of Pittsburgh Jae-eun Miller, PhD Columbia University Miguel Moutinho, PharmD, PhD Indiana University Carolina Ochoa-Rosales, PhD Adolfo Ibáñez University (Chile) Omar Peña-Ramos, PhD Baylor College of Medicine Cyril Pottier, PhD Washington University in St. Louis Marcos Schaan Profes, PhD Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Nader Saffari, PhD, MSc, BSc University College London (U.K.) Monica Santisteban, PhD Vanderbilt University Medical Center Feng Tian, PhD Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Rebecca Wallings, DPhil Indiana University Justyna Dobrowolska Zakaria, PhD Northwestern University - Chicago Campus Damian Zuloaga, PhD University at Albany Macular Degeneration Research Twenty million U.S. adults have macular degeneration—the leading cause of vision loss in Americans aged 65 and older. Early detection and treatment are crucial to slowing the disease progression and preventing permanent vision loss. Grant recipients are exploring a wide range of innovative scientific approaches, from exploring ways to regenerate damaged cells to determining the influence of early-life events and lifestyle factors on disease risk. Macular Degeneration Research grant recipients: Mohajeet Balveer Bhuckory, PhD Stanford University School of Medicine Ana J. Chucair-Elliott, PhD University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Charles DeBoer, MD, PhD Stanford University School of Medicine Ashley Farre, PhD University of Idaho Valencia Fernandes, PhD University of California, San Francisco Masayuki Hata, MD, PhD Kyoto University (Japan) Ruchi Sharma, PhD National Eye Institute, NIH Nobuhiko Shiraki, PhD Duke University School of Medicine Daisy Yao Shu, PhD University of New South Wales (Australia) Jerzy Szablowski, PhD William Marsh Rice University Amir Mani Varnoosfaderani, PhD University of Chicago Joëlle Elise Vergroesen, PhD Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam (Netherlands) National Glaucoma Research Around 4 million U.S. adults have glaucoma—a leading cause of blindness in the U.S. caused by damage to the optic nerve. Because there are often no early symptoms, as many as half of those affected may not even know they have it until irreversible vision loss has occurred. Although there is no cure, early detection and treatments can help slow the disease's progression. Grant recipients are investigating a wide range of scientific approaches, including novel treatments, early detection methods, and efforts to protect and regenerate retinal ganglion cells that could preserve or restore vision. National Glaucoma Research grant recipients: Brad Fortune, OD, PhD Legacy Research Institute Tatjana Jakobs, MD Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass. Eye and Ear Colleen McDowell, PhD University of Wisconsin-Madison Rob Nickells, PhD University of Wisconsin-Madison Gavin Roddy, MD, PhD Mayo Clinic, Rochester Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk, PhD University of California, Irvine Dan Stamer, PhD Duke University Karl Wahlin, PhD University of California, San Diego – Health Sciences Pete Williams, PhD Karolinska Institute (Sweden) Benjamin Xu, MD, PhD University of Southern California BrightFocus encourages researchers with groundbreaking ideas to apply for a 2026 grant. Application information is available at About BrightFocus Foundation BrightFocus Foundation is a premier global nonprofit funder of research to defeat Alzheimer's, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Through its flagship research programs — Alzheimer's Disease Research, Macular Degeneration Research, and National Glaucoma Research— the Foundation has awarded over $300 million in groundbreaking research funding since its inception in 1973 and shares the latest research findings, expert information, and resources to empower the millions impacted by these devastating diseases. Learn more at
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
BrightFocus Foundation Awards Nearly $13M to 50 Scientists for Alzheimer's, Macular Degeneration, and Glaucoma Research
New grant funding supports cutting-edge scientific ideas across risk reduction, earlier detection, and new treatments for diseases of mind and sight. CLARKSBURG, Md., May 13, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Private research nonprofit BrightFocus Foundation today announced nearly $13 million in grants to support early investigative research into Alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. This includes $7.3 million to its Alzheimer's Disease Research program, $3.8 million to its Macular Degeneration Research program, and $1.8 million to its National Glaucoma Research program. Guided by scientific advisory committees of world-renowned researchers in the field, BrightFocus invests in highly innovative, experimental research and creative ideas with the most promise to foster a better understanding of disease onset, improve early detection and diagnosis, develop new treatments, and—ultimately—lead to cures. This year's grants were awarded to scientists in 10 countries including the U.S. "This year's grant awards represent some of the boldest, most cutting-edge ideas in vision and brain health research," said BrightFocus President and CEO Stacy Pagos Haller. "With recent major cuts to federal research funding, private foundations like BrightFocus are more essential than ever—stepping up to keep promising research alive, nurture early-career scientists, and accelerate breakthroughs." BrightFocus Foundation's research programs are supported entirely by private donor contributions from the public and corporate and foundation grants; BrightFocus receives no government funding. Learn more about how to support our work. A complete list of the new research projects will be available this summer on BrightFocus' website, with additional details forthcoming upon the completion of individual agreements with the partnering institutions and scientists. Alzheimer's Disease Research Over 7 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's disease, a progressive, terminal brain disorder that has no known cause or cure. Unless scientists can unlock the secrets of this disease, the number of cases is expected to triple by the year 2050. Grant recipients are studying a range of approaches spanning different areas of the brain and body to better understand the disease's onset and progression. Alzheimer's Disease Research grant recipients: Katerina Akassoglou, PhDThe J. David Gladstone Institutes Federica Anastasi, PhDBarcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (Spain) Isabelle Aubert, PhDSunnybrook Research Institute (Canada) Daniel Bos, MD, PhDErasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam (Netherlands) Todd J. Cohen, PhDUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Joshua Emmerson, PhDWashington University in St. Louis Ghazaleh Eskandari-Sedighi, PhDUniversity of California, Irvine Anllely Fernandez, PhDIndiana University Hongjun Fu, PhDThe Ohio State University Laura Fumagalli, PhDFlanders Institute for Biotechnology (Belgium) John Hardy, PhD, FRSUniversity College London (U.K.) Joseph Herdy, PhDThe Salk Institute for Biological Studies Sarah Elise Heuer, PhDBrigham and Women's Hospital Jack Humphrey, PhDIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Ksenia Kastanenka, PhDMassachusetts General Hospital Jr-Jiun Liou, PhDUniversity of Pittsburgh Jae-eun Miller, PhDColumbia University Miguel Moutinho, PharmD, PhDIndiana University Carolina Ochoa-Rosales, PhDAdolfo Ibáñez University (Chile) Omar Peña-Ramos, PhDBaylor College of Medicine Cyril Pottier, PhDWashington University in St. Louis Marcos Schaan Profes, PhDIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Nader Saffari, PhD, MSc, BScUniversity College London (U.K.) Monica Santisteban, PhDVanderbilt University Medical Center Feng Tian, PhDBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Rebecca Wallings, DPhilIndiana University Justyna Dobrowolska Zakaria, PhDNorthwestern University - Chicago Campus Damian Zuloaga, PhDUniversity at Albany Macular Degeneration Research Twenty million U.S. adults have macular degeneration—the leading cause of vision loss in Americans aged 65 and older. Early detection and treatment are crucial to slowing the disease progression and preventing permanent vision loss. Grant recipients are exploring a wide range of innovative scientific approaches, from exploring ways to regenerate damaged cells to determining the influence of early-life events and lifestyle factors on disease risk. Macular Degeneration Research grant recipients: Mohajeet Balveer Bhuckory, PhDStanford University School of Medicine Ana J. Chucair-Elliott, PhDUniversity of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Charles DeBoer, MD, PhDStanford University School of Medicine Ashley Farre, PhDUniversity of Idaho Valencia Fernandes, PhDUniversity of California, San Francisco Masayuki Hata, MD, PhDKyoto University (Japan) Ruchi Sharma, PhDNational Eye Institute, NIH Nobuhiko Shiraki, PhDDuke University School of Medicine Daisy Yao Shu, PhDUniversity of New South Wales (Australia) Jerzy Szablowski, PhDWilliam Marsh Rice University Amir Mani Varnoosfaderani, PhDUniversity of Chicago Joëlle Elise Vergroesen, PhDErasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam (Netherlands) National Glaucoma Research Around 4 million U.S. adults have glaucoma—a leading cause of blindness in the U.S. caused by damage to the optic nerve. Because there are often no early symptoms, as many as half of those affected may not even know they have it until irreversible vision loss has occurred. Although there is no cure, early detection and treatments can help slow the disease's progression. Grant recipients are investigating a wide range of scientific approaches, including novel treatments, early detection methods, and efforts to protect and regenerate retinal ganglion cells that could preserve or restore vision. National Glaucoma Research grant recipients: Brad Fortune, OD, PhDLegacy Research Institute Tatjana Jakobs, MDSchepens Eye Research Institute of Mass. Eye and Ear Colleen McDowell, PhDUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison Rob Nickells, PhDUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison Gavin Roddy, MD, PhDMayo Clinic, Rochester Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk, PhDUniversity of California, Irvine Dan Stamer, PhDDuke University Karl Wahlin, PhDUniversity of California, San Diego – Health Sciences Pete Williams, PhDKarolinska Institute (Sweden) Benjamin Xu, MD, PhDUniversity of Southern California BrightFocus encourages researchers with groundbreaking ideas to apply for a 2026 grant. Application information is available at About BrightFocus Foundation BrightFocus Foundation is a premier global nonprofit funder of research to defeat Alzheimer's, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Through its flagship research programs — Alzheimer's Disease Research, Macular Degeneration Research, and National Glaucoma Research— the Foundation has awarded over $300 million in groundbreaking research funding since its inception in 1973 and shares the latest research findings, expert information, and resources to empower the millions impacted by these devastating diseases. Learn more at View source version on Contacts Julia S. RothSr. Director, Integrated Marketing and Communications, BrightFocus Foundation(301) 556-9382jroth@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
