ARVO Foundation Chair Joel S. Schuman, left, and Glenn Yiu, professor of ophthalmology at UC Davis Health.
The $12,000 award is granted to investigators working in translational research that can lead to real-world results and improved human health. The intent of the award is to recognize early-career researchers who have exhibited excellence in research that has led to — or has the promise of leading to — clinical applications.
“I am humbled and honored to receive the award,” Yiu said. “Dr. Camras embodied the ideals of a clinician-scientist who can leverage his knowledge and compassion as a physician to develop novel therapies as a translational researcher. This award will inspire me to continue making greater impact on the lives of patients with retinal diseases."
New treatments and expanded access to care
Yiu specializes in treating and researching diseases of the retina, the layer of tissue at the back of the eye that receives images and sends them to the brain via the optic nerve. He leads a research program studying retinal diseases like age-related macular degeneration, also known as AMD, which is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults.
Yiu reported the first use of CRISPR-based genome editing as a treatment strategy for wet AMD. He also discovered the use of microneedles for precise gene delivery and pioneered important studies on drusen (deposits in the retina that can affect vision) in primate models.
Yiu also serves as director of a ophthalmology program at UC Davis, where he has pioneered remote eye screening for diabetic patients in California’s underserved communities.
Supported by the ARVO Foundation, this award honors Carl Camras, a highly respected glaucoma specialist and research scientist.
ARVO is the largest eye and vision research organization in the world. Members include about 10,000 eye and vision researchers from over 75 countries.
The UC Davis Eye Center The UC Davis Eye Center provides world-class eye care, pioneers collaborative vision research, and trains the next generation of specialists and investigators to become leaders in the Sacramento region and beyond. The Eye Center team aims to transform vision care and develop cures for blinding eye diseases, from cornea to cortex.
