2006 Helen Keller Foundation and
Pfizer Ophthalmics Research Award Winners
This program, offered as a result of a generous, unrestricted grant from Pfizer Ophthalmics, recognizes our award recipients for their demonstrated excellence in research and fundamental scientific discoveries in the fields of both macular degeneration and glaucoma.
Macular Degeneration Award Winner:
Lawrence S. Morse, M.D., Ph.D.
Professior of Ophthalmology, Director of Retina Services
Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science
University of California-Davis
Sacramento, California
View the Press Release
Glaucoma Award Winner:
Xuyang Liu, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Scientist
Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
View the Press Release
This award program is provided by an unrestricted grant from Pfizer Ophthalmics.
Drs. Lawrence Morse and Xuyang Liu are the recipients of the inaugural Helen Keller Foundation/Pfizer Ophthalmics Research Awards. Each award of $40,000 recognizes excellence in research and fundamental scientific discoveries and will go towards helping Drs. Liu and Morse complete their research.
Lawrence Morse, M.D., Ph.D., recognized for his work in the field of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of Retina Services at UC Davis, proposed a project entitled, “Can Cholesterol Lowering Agents Reduce Apoptosis and Tissue Specific Cholesterol Deposits Induced in Mice Fed Atherosclerotic Diets?”
The selection committee reviewed 9 applications for the inaugural award in the field of AMD. The award was presented during the main session of the annual Macula Society meeting in Carlsbad, California on February 23, 2006.
Xuyang Liu, M.D., Ph.D., recognized for his work in the field of glaucoma, is a scientist in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Wisconsin, proposed a project titled, “Modulation of Aqueous Outflow by Gene Therapy Targeting Actin.”
The selection committee reviewed 29 applications for the inaugural award in the field of glaucoma. The award was presented at a luncheon coinciding with the American Glaucoma Society meeting on March 3, 2006 in Charleston, South Carolina.
“We work through partnerships with organizations interested in saving sight. Pfizer Ophthalmics is renowned for its recent sight saving research contributions, and the company is a worthy partner for Helen Keller’s legacy,” stated Dr. Robert Morris, President of the Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education.
“The Helen Keller Foundation is pleased to team up with Pfizer Ophthalmics to provide this valuable award to a leader in the eye research field,” said Laura Beckwith, Executive Director of the Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education.
Dr. Liu's award was recently featured in an article published by OSN (Ocular Surgery News) SuperSite. Registration (free of charge) is required.
