#United States #San Francisco #Glaucoma Research Fund #Shaffer Research Grants #Innovative Research

Glaucoma Research Foundation Unveils 2025 Shaffer Grants

On March 19, 2025, the Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) proudly announced the recipients of its 2025 Shaffer Research Grants, aimed at fostering groundbreaking research in the field of glaucoma. With a total funding of $55,000 distributed among nine innovative projects, these grants reflect the GRF's commitment to advancing glaucoma research and finding new treatments to mitigate this vision-threatening disease.

Continuing the Legacy of Research Excellence

Thomas M. Brunner, President and CEO of GRF, expressed gratitude towards the community for their generous contributions, emphasizing how crucial these investments are for the ongoing exploration of glaucoma-related research areas. The Shaffer Research Grants have historically served as incubator grants, promoting fresh ideas and attracting bright minds to work on solving complex issues that affect glaucoma patients. With over 300 grants awarded to date, the initiative underscores GRF’s commitment to innovative research.

Meet the Recipients and Their Projects

Here are the nine recipients of the 2025 Shaffer Research Grants along with their respective projects:

1. The Arlene Anthony Grant for Innovative Glaucoma Research
Recipient: Joel Palko, MD
Institution: West Virginia University School of Medicine
Project Title: Impact of Low Blood Pressure on ONH Biomechanics in Glaucoma
This project investigates how low blood pressure affects the biomechanical properties of the optic nerve head in glaucoma patients.

2. The Larry Haimovitch Grant for Innovation in Ophthalmology
Recipient: Shruthi Karnam, PhD
Institution: University of California, Berkeley
Project Title: Targeting Lipoxin B4 for Reversing Astrocyte-Mediated Neuroinflammation in Glaucoma
This study focuses on targeting specific neuroinflammatory pathways via lipoxin B4 to potentially reverse damage in glaucoma.

3. The Mary Dell Hibbert Glaucoma Research Fund
Recipient: Richard Eva, PhD
Institution: King's College London
Project Title: Pro-Tect and Restore: Developing Pro-trudinPlus Gene Therapy
Exploration of gene therapy applications to protect and restore retinal cells in glaucoma sufferers.

4. The Rajen Savjani Fund for Innovative Glaucoma Research
Recipient: Vidhya Rao, PhD
Institution: Loyola University Chicago
Project Title: Role of NADPH Oxidase-4 induced mitochondrial dysfunction in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma
Investigating the impact of mitochondrial dysfunction as a contributing factor in glaucoma.

5. The Rajen Savjani Fund for Innovative Glaucoma Research
Recipient: Supraja Varadarajan, PhD
Institution: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Project Title: The Role of Postsynaptic Targets in Preserving Vision
An inquiry into how postsynaptic mechanisms can help preserve vision in glaucomatous conditions.

6. The Linda and Gary Sirak Glaucoma Research Fund
Recipient: Karl Kador, PhD
Institution: University of Missouri–Kansas City
Project Title: Reintroducing Developmentally Regulated Guidance Factors to the Optic Nerve
This project aims to evaluate the potential of developmental factors to guide optic nerve regeneration.

7. The Frank Stein and Paul S. May Grants for Innovative Glaucoma Research
Recipient: Steven Barnes, PhD
Institution: Doheny Eye Institute, UCLA
Project Title: Intrinsic Ion Channels Reduce Excitability During Energy Stress
Analysis of ion channels and their role in cellular stress responses related to glaucoma.

8. The Frank Stein and Paul S. May Grants for Innovative Glaucoma Research
Recipient: Fiona McDonnell, PhD
Institution: Moran Eye Center, University of Utah
Project Title: Extracellular Vesicle Regulation of ECM in the Lamina Cribrosa
Investigating extracellular vesicle function in regulating the optic nerve head’s extracellular matrix lost during glaucoma.

9. The Zander Family Research Fund for Glaucoma Genetics
Recipient: Balasankara Reddy Kaipa, PhD
Institution: University of California, Irvine
Project Title: The Genetics of Glaucoma: Lipid nanoparticle-mediated delivery of base editor ribonucleoprotein complex targeting the trabecular meshwork for the treatment of glaucoma
This innovative approach utilizes gene editing technologies to tackle genetic factors involved in some types of glaucoma.

The Road Ahead

The continued investment into glaucoma research is critical, and the 2025 Shaffer Research Grants represent a significant step toward understanding and treating this debilitating condition. GRF invites the community to follow the progress of each of these promising projects on their official website at www.glaucoma.org/research. In doing so, they continue to pave the way for innovative solutions that could enhance and maintain the precious gift of sight for individuals globally affected by glaucoma.