Three ophthalmologists, based in Wales, Gloucestershire and London, are to receive a total of £73,000 in research funding from the 2024 Zakarian Award, which the College supports in partnership with Fight for Sight.
The three are Dr Francis Sanders, Hywel Dda University Health Board, for ‘Preventing diabetic retinopathy’; Dr Ushna Javed, Gloucestershire Hospital for ‘Improving eye screening attendance in people with diabetes’; and Dr Claudia Liang Peng, University College London (UCL) for ‘Understanding the genetics of myopia (short-sightedness)’.
Presented annually, the Zakarian Award promotes the value of research for all and gives clinicians the opportunity to get experience working in vision research. This helps to progress the careers of young ophthalmologists and brings the valuable perspective of those who work with patients into the research field. It is named in memory of the late Miss Zakarian.
Chair of the award committee, Denize Atan FRCOphth, said, “We are very pleased to be announcing this year’s successful Zakarian Award recipients. The three demonstrate a wide scope of research, and I look forward to exploring their findings once the projects are concluded.
“We chose the successful candidates from a strong pool of applicants. It’s encouraging to note the value that ophthalmologists place on vision research opportunities, given that research findings are so vital in providing the evidence needed to transform future eye care, innovate services and improve outcomes for our patients.
“My congratulations to all three.”
Dr Christos Iosifidis at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital received a Zakarian Award last year to study a rare condition affecting the brain and spinal cord called Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IIIC (MPSIIIC), also known as Sanfilippo syndrome.
Our next funding round for our Zakarian Awards will launch in Spring 2025. You can see more details at: Zakarian Awards from Fight for Sight