The VitreoRetinal Surgery Foundation (VRSF) selected five Duke Eye Center trainees for their 2024 Research Awards. The VRSF Awards fund early-stage investigators who are conducting relevant research projects in macular and retinal disease, and to encourage a career devoted to retinal disease and research.
The five Duke Ophthalmology trainees who were honored with the VRSF Research Award, which includes an award of $2,000 in support of their research projects are:
- Kelly R. Donovan, MD, PhD - Elucidating the role of EYS in the pathogenesis of retinitis pigmentosa (mentored by Vadim Y. Arshavsky, PhD)
- Lindsey A. Chew, Lindsey - Applying artificial intelligence to pediatric retinal screening based on ultra-widefield fundus imaging (mentored by Lejla Vajzovic, MD, FASRS)
- Nikhil V. Gadiraju - Implementation of ultra-wide field fundus photography for pediatric retinal screening within a primary care setting (mentored by Lejla Vajzovic, MD, FASRS)
- Jamie J. Karl - Longitudinal analysis of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography in patients with multiple sclerosis (mentored by Sharon Fekrat, MD, FACS, FASRS)
- Jinwon (Terry) Lee, MD – Predicting early hydroxychloroquine retinopathy using deep learning (mentored by Eleonora G. Lad, MD, PhD)