RPB honors Mass. Eye and Ear ophthalmologist with Senior Scientific Investigator Award

Reza Dana, M.D., M.P.H., M.Sc. of Mass. Eye and Ear/Harvard Medical School, was awarded the Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) Senior Scientific Investigator Award in the amount of $150,000 to support research into the causes, treatment and prevention of blinding diseases.

The RPB Senior Scientific Investigator Award supports nationally recognized scientists conducting eye research at medical institutions in the United States. Since the award was established in 1987, Dr. Dana is one of 184 scientists at 59 institutions to receive this highly sought-after, flexible research grant.

"I am delighted to have received this support from RPB, which will aid us tremendously in our investigations of ocular surface inflammation in eyes deemed at high risk of corneal transplant rejection," said Dr. Dana. "With this support, we will be able to examine further how modulating inflammation and angiogenesis can promote transplant survival."

According to Joan W. Miller, M.D., FARVO, Chief and Chair of Ophthalmology at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School (HMS), "Dr. Dana leads one of the largest and most advanced corneal and ocular inflammation programs in the world, and his investigations have greatly clarified the cellular and molecular mechanisms of ocular surface biology. This award is a reflection of his extensive expertise and substantial achievements thus far and an investment in future advancements in the field of corneal immunology. We are very grateful to RPB for their continuing support of our department's research endeavors and this very significant award."

Source: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary