# 32nd Biennial Cornea Conference

> **NIH NIH R13** · SCHEPENS EYE RESEARCH INSTITUTE · 2022 · $25,000

## Abstract

Abstract
Funds are requested to support trainee participation at the 32nd Biennial Cornea Conference to be held at
Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear on October 21-22, 2022. The program for the
conference was developed by the co-chairs, Dr. Ilene Gipson, PhD, Professor Emeritus at Harvard Medical
School, Dr. Ula Jurkunas, MD, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Reza
Dana, MD, MPH, Claes H. Dohlman Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School, and an
organizing committee of eleven experts in the field of Cornea from Harvard, Tufts, and Boston University
Medical Schools. The program builds on the success of the previous 31 conferences, first started in the 1960s.
Despite advancements in the field, corneal disease and blindness remain common causes of vision loss and
impairment worldwide and across all age groups. It is imperative to better understand the mechanisms behind
corneal disease development and to develop new methods of diagnosis and treatment. The goals of this
conference are to create an opportunity for discussion and for the formation of collaborations aimed at
elucidating the mechanisms that underlie the development of various ocular surface and corneal diseases, and
to provide trainees in the field an opportunity to present their research and meet leaders in the field. Sessions
on the ocular surface, immunologic and microbiologic aspects of corneal disease, as well as discussions on
the endothelium and regenerative medicine & transplantation are planned. After receiving positive feedback
from the 31st Biennial, an additional panel has been added to the program. Though panelists are still being
determined by the committee, panel discussions on areas of greatest unmet need in cornea, controversies in
corneal pathobiology, and innovation & new technologies have been planned. A unique feature of this small
conference is the ample time allowed for discussion after each speaker presentation, as well as ample time for
dedicated poster sessions highlighting trainee research. We anticipate at least 70 poster presentations that will
allow trainees the opportunity to present their research to all conference attendees, receive immediate
feedback, and engage leading experts in cornea in conversation over their work. As is tradition, the conference
honors an accomplished physician scientist and a scientist with the two named lectures. Dr. Stefano Bonini,
MD, will give the Claes H. Dohlman Lecture and Dr. Arlene Sharpe MD, PhD, will give the J. Wayne Streilein
Lecture. The anticipated attendance for the conference is 250 physicians, scientists, and trainees. We intend to
provide travel awards to attract graduate students and fellows and will make every attempt to make the
conference free of charge for all trainees.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10539749
- **Project number:** 1R13EY034377-01
- **Recipient organization:** SCHEPENS EYE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** ILENE K. GIPSON
- **Activity code:** R13 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $25,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10539749

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10539749, 32nd Biennial Cornea Conference (1R13EY034377-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10539749. Licensed CC0.

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