# UAB Core Grant for Vision Research

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2021 · $740,565

## Abstract

UAB Center for Vision Research - Overall Core
Project Summary/Abstract
In 1979, an NEI Core grant was first awarded to UAB. Over the next 41 years, the institution's commitment to
strategic growth resulted in significant expansion of vision research. Participants have increased from 13 in 2
departments to 25 in 3 departments, with a concominant increase in extramural funding. Twenty participants
currently hold 24 eligble NEI R01 grants. One participant has submitted an R01 application and received an
exceptional score. Three participants have NEI new investigator status. They are either on or just completed K-
awards and will be submitting NEI R01 applications during this renewal period. Annually, NEI funds exceed
$12.6 million, not including internal UAB awards. Extramural funding for vision-related research at UAB has
grown to nearly $16.1 million annually. UAB vision scientists study visual neuroscience (anatomical, bio-
chemical, physiological, or psychophysical studies of the retina, glaucoma, and central visual pathways), AMD,
myopia, keratoconus, dry eye and cataractogenesis among others. Dr. Brian Samuels MD, PhD is the Director
of the P30, now named the UAB Center Cores for Vision Research (CCVR), and the Administrative Core,
and will have primary responsibility for all expenditures and proper functioning of the cores. He will coordinate
with Dr. Steve Pittler, PhD, Director of the UAB institutionally supported Vision Science Research Center
(VSRC) and co-director of the CCVR, to ensure the core resources and services align with participant needs.
This application requests funds to provide continued support participants’ research activities through four
professionally staffed cores. Each core, centrally located in Volker Hall, provides state-of-the-art facilities and
expertise specifically for each purpose. The Machine Shop Core, directed by Paul Gamiln, PhD., designs and
fabricates unique mechanical devices and repair/maintenance of current instruments. The Research
Programming & Computational Analysis Core, directed by J. Crawford Downs, PhD, provides access to
high-end analytical tools including advanced image and big-data analysis, computer programming, custom
software/hardware development and interfacing, and database development/management. The Molecular &
Cellular Analysis Core, directed by Steve Pittler, PhD., provides expertise for molecular and cellular study
designs, training and access to major instrumentation for DNA, RNA and protein studies and morphologic
analysis of tissues and cells. The Ocular Phenotyping Core, directed by Timothy Kraft, PhD, provides
resources and services to assist with structural and functional analysis of small animal models of human ocular
disease and study design and biostatistical analysis. Since 1979, vision research has received more than
$19M in institutional support and more than $1M is committed over the next 5 years funding cycle. UAB has
grown into a national leader in vision research by f...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10272810
- **Project number:** 2P30EY003039-41
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **Principal Investigator:** Brian Christopher Samuels
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $740,565
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1997-08-01 → 2026-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10272810

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10272810, UAB Core Grant for Vision Research (2P30EY003039-41). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10272810. Licensed CC0.

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