The 15th Annual Gained in Translation Symposium was held on Nov. 2 at UW Medicine South Lake Union in Seattle. This symposium brings together clinicians and vision scientists from the University of Washington, the University of British Columbia, and Oregon Health Sciences University. The event rotates between the sites each year.
Presentations focused on bridging the gap between disease treatment and the latest translational and basic research advances. Areas of synergy are identified for future collaboration between these institutions.
Sue Brockerhoff, PhD, UW Professor of Biochemistry and Adjunct Professor of Ophthalmology, was honored with the Helen Keller Award at the event. The Lions Clubs serving Washington and British Columbia give the award annually to honor an individual at the host institution who has made significant contributions to vision science or ophthalmology care.
Dr. Brockerhoff's overall research goal is to understand the biology of the cone photoreceptor and apply this knowledge to dissect the molecular basis of human retinal disease.
Speakers on vision research from the UW Department of Ophthalmology included Ricky Wang, PhD, George and Martina Kren Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology Research; Professor of Bioengineering and Ophthalmology; Chris Fortenbach, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, and Ram Sabesan, PhD, Kren Professor of Ophthalmology.
The keynote speaker was Marco Zarbin, MD, PhD, who has been Chair of the Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science at Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School for nearly 30 years. Dr. Zarbin specializes in vitreoretinal surgery and research.
