Duke Ocular Innovation Award
The Duke Eye Center Ocular Innovation Award was established to recognize a resident or medical student who has demonstrated excellence in Ocular Innovation and judgment.
A $1,000 cash award and a plaque are given annually to the resident or medical student who has been judged to have presented or published the best research during the year for an original concept, operation, instrument, or invention in ophthalmology.
Duke Eye Center Ocular Innovation Award Recipients and Projects
| 2025 | Kelly Donovan, MD, PhD | Miniaturizing the EYS gene to develop novel therapeutics for Retinitis Pigmentosa |
| 2025 | Gregory McElroy, MD, PhD | Developing a novel transgenic mouse model to study the interaction between ND11 and Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy |
| 2025 | Cason Robbins, MD | Validation of a Handheld Smartphone-Based Corneal Topographer for Keratoconus Screening |
| 2024 | Rami Gabriel, MD | Development of a High-Fidelity 3D-Printed Eye Models for Ophthalmic Surgical Training and Research |
| 2023 | Sahil Aggarwal, MD | Younger Age and Longer Case Times Associated With Emergency Department Visits After Cataract Surgery |
| 2021 | Michael Quist, MD | The Duke Baerveldt vs Ahmed ClearPath Study (DBACS) |
| 2020 | Mark Goerliz Jessen, MD | Causes and Outcomes of Intraocular Lens Exchange at a Tertiary Care Eye Center |
| 2019 | Samuel Passi, MD | Refractive Outcomes Using Intraoperative Aberrometry for Highly Myopic, Highly Hyperopic, and Post-Refractive Eyes |
| 2018 | Katy Liu, MD, PhD | Trabecular Meshwork Extracellular Matrix in the Pathogenesis of Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome and Glaucoma |
| 2017 | Nambi Nallasamy, MD | A System for Capturing In Vivo Mouse Corneal Topography: Paving the Way for Study of Mouse Models of Corneal Ectasia |
| 2016 | Sidney M. Gospe, MD, PhD | Development of A Retinal Explant Model of Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy |
| 2015 | Milica Margeta, MD, PhD | Staying Away from Optic Nerve: a formula for modifying glaucoma drainage device surgery in pedatric and other small eyes |
| 2014 | Pradeep Mettu, MD | Periocular Lacerations from Dog Bites More Commonly Affect Children |
| 2013 | Peter Nicholas, MD, PhD | Long Term Stability of Astigmatism Correction with Intraoperative Limbal Relaxing Incisions During Cataract Surgery |
| 2012 | Andrew Munro, MD | Comparison of a Prototype Eye Drop Bottle to Conventional Eye Drop Bottle |
| 2011 | Nicholas Ramey, MD | Biodesign at Duke University Eye Center, Case Studies, Models for Young Innovators, and Next Steps |
| 2010 | Char DeCross, MD | Expanded Polytertrafluoroethylene Membrane Alters Tissue Response to Implanted Ahmed Glaucoma Valve |
| 2008 | Felix Chau, MD | Osteogenesis Imperfecta and Open Angle Glaucoma: Genotypic Analysis of a New Phenotypic Association |
| 2008 | Richard Awdeh, MD | Vision-related Quality of Life in Persons with Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion Using the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) |
| 2007 | Carrie Morris, MD | The Role of Bimatoprost Eyelash Gel in Chemotherapy-induced Madarosis: An Analysis of Efficacy and Safety |
| 2006 | Adrienne W. Scott, MD | Effects of Oral Pentoxifylline on Cystoid Macular Edema Associated with Central Vein Occusion |
| 2005 | Sherman Reeves, MD | Treatment of Fungal Corneal Ulcers with Polyhexamethylene Biguanide |
Karickhoff Faculty Research Award
The Karickhoff Faculty Innovation Award recognizes and rewards full-time faculty who demonstrate outstanding innovation that advances the department’s academic missions. The award highlights creativity, impact, and fresh approaches that contribute to meaningful improvements in research, clinical care, education, or other academic domains. It will be awarded annually with a prize of $2,000, and the recipient will be invited to briefly present their innovation at a faculty meeting or other departmental gathering. All full-time faculty members not serving on the selection committee are eligible. Self-nominations and peer nominations are encouraged.
Definition of Innovation
Innovation is the creation or application of new ideas, methods, technologies, or approaches that significantly advance one or more of the department’s academic missions. Innovation is not limited to discovery; it is about creating impact through fresh approaches that add clear value to patients, students, trainees, colleagues, department, or the institution.
Innovation may occur in:
- Research: novel study designs, methodologies, technologies, or discoveries that open new avenues of inquiry or shift paradigms.
- Clinical care: new diagnostic tools, surgical or therapeutic techniques, models of care delivery, or quality and safety initiatives that improve patient outcomes or efficiency.
- Education/teaching: creative curricula, teaching methods, assessment tools, or mentorship models that measurably enhance learning and trainee development.
- Other academic missions: innovative solutions in faculty development, community engagement, or operational processes that strengthen the academic environment.
Nomination Process
All full-time faculty members not serving on the selection committee are eligible. Self-nominations and peer nominations are encouraged. A brief description of the innovation, explanation of why it is innovative, and evidence of impact (achieved or anticipated).
Deadline: August 1
Selection Process
A selection committee will be appointed annually, comprising 3-5 faculty members, each to serve one year. The committee selects one awardee per cycle. The awardee will chair the committee in the subsequent year.
Criteria:
- Originality of the idea
- Demonstrated or potential impact
- Alignment with departmental mission
- Scalability or sustainability, if applicable