Kellogg Scientist receives Research to Prevent Blindness Award

Ann Arbor, MI - Radha Ayyagari, Ph.D., of the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center has received the Sybil B. Harrington Scholar Award in the amount of $40,000 from Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB). The funds support research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of blinding diseases. The award is part of RPB's Special Scholar program designed to support outstanding young scientists who are conducting research of unusual significance and promise. Dr. Ayyagari studies the genetics of retinal and macular degenerations.

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Chair, Dr. Paul Lichter says, "Dr. Ayyagari's work is a perfect example of the kind of research that bridges the gap between work done in the laboratory and treatment for our patients. Her work on the genetics of macular degeneration will have far reaching effects on our ability to prevent this devastating disease. Dr. Ayyagari is one of our most promising young faculty members. We will be hearing her name again."

RPB is the world's leading voluntary organization supporting eye research. Since it was founded in 1960, RPB has channeled hundreds of millions of dollars to medical institutions throughout the United States for research into all blinding eye diseases.

The U-M Kellogg Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences is a premier eye care facility that provides vision care, medical/surgical eye care, professional and public education, and performs state-of-the-art ophthalmic research. The Eye Center has single locations in Ann Arbor, Brighton, Livonia, and West Bloomfield, and two locations in Ypsilanti.

Contact: Betsy Nisbet, 734.647.5586, bsnisbet@umich.edu.