Ophthalmology Academic Lead at Flinders University, Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor Jamie Craig, and Dr Owen Siggs, a Practitioner Fellow at Flinders University, are the recipients of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2021 Dr David L Epstein Award.
Professor Craig, a practicing glaucoma specialist at Flinders Medical Centre, and his Flinders mentee, FMC ophthalmology resident Dr Siggs, will receive $100,000 award funded through the ARVO Foundation to continue their world-leading glaucoma research.
Since 2016, the Dr David L Epstein Award has been given annually to a well-established, senior investigator with a documented history of conducting eye and vision research in glaucoma and mentoring clinician-scientists to independent academic and research careers.
The award aims to further Dr Epstein’s long-standing determination and interest in solving the complex issues of glaucoma through well-conceived and executed scientific research focused on finding the causes and new treatments for the disease.
Professor Craig’s research group focuses on the use of genetics to better understand glaucoma. They plan to use the Award to expand the test and apply it to the larger, general population.
As part of a large, international collaboration, the Flinders research has led to the development of a basic genetic test using blood or saliva that helps identify individuals at high risk of glaucoma.
“This award helps bring years of basic research in glaucoma genetics one step closer to the clinic,” Dr Siggs says. “[The award] is much more than a collaborative project grant: it recognises the value of established and emerging clinician-scientists, and the compounding impact of high-quality mentorship.”
Last year Dr Siggs (MD ’17) received the inaugural 2020 Snow Fellow – one of three researchers who will each receive $8 million ($1 million each year, for 8 years) to support their world-leading research. His work at the Garvan Institute for Medical Research commenced this year.
ARVO is the largest eye and vision research organisation in the world. Members include approximately 10,000 eye and vision researchers from over 75 countries. ARVO advances research worldwide into understanding the visual system and preventing, treating and curing its disorders.
Established in 2001, the ARVO Foundation for Eye Research raises funds through partnerships, grants and sponsorships to support ARVO’s world-class education and career development resources for eye and vision researchers of all stages of career and education.