# RR&D Research Career Scientist Award Application

> **NIH VA IK6** · VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION · 2020 · —

## Abstract

Dr. Pardue’s research program is centered on developing life-changing treatments for veterans with
vision loss. She has made significant contributions in three research areas: a) treatments for retinal
degeneration, b) early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy, and c) retinal mechanisms of refractive
development. Pre-clinical studies from her research program have enhanced our understanding of
mechanisms that underlie blinding diseases and advanced new treatment options. Her dual position between
the VA and Georgia Tech creates a unique situation to leverage resources and collaborations to move new
technologies into the clinic. She is a firm believer that collaborative research is essential to translate results
from bench to bedside. This is reflected in over 75% of her 89 publications stemming from collaborations with
over 46 different investigators. Moreover, her findings have formed the basis for 3 areas of translational studies
to human patients (retinal prosthetics, diabetic retinopathy, and neuroprotection therapies). Dr. Pardue’s dual
appointment and research interests create novel opportunities to draw parallels and intersections between
different systems and fields of study with the potential for ground-breaking discoveries.
 Dr. Pardue’s commitment to teaching and mentorship are illustrated by a number of roles. She has
lectured to undergraduate and graduate students on the retina and visual system for the last 18 years and
been the instructor for 7 courses. Dr. Pardue has a strong interest in professional development and has
organized and taught courses for post-docs and graduate students on this topic at the VA, Emory, and Georgia
Tech, as well as at international conferences. In addition, she actively supports women in science at the
graduate and junior faculty levels through institutional and international programs. Dr. Pardue has mentored 5
VA Career Development Awardees (CDAs). Over 80% of the students that she has mentored have continued
on in medicine or science.
 Dr. Pardue has consistently served the scientific community throughout her career. Specific to the VA,
Dr. Pardue chaired the IACUC Committee from 2004-2008 and has chaired the R&D Committee for the last ten
years (2008-date). She assisted with two successful renewal cycles of the Atlanta VA Rehab Center. As the
Associate Director of Scientific Projects, she directed the internal review process of all Rehab Center
submissions, increasing the funding rate to 20% for Merits and 42% for CDAs. She currently serves as the
interim Associate Director of the CVNR. She also serves on the Advisory Board for the Atlanta VA non-profit
foundation (AREF). On the international level, she has served on several committees for ARVO and was
awarded their prestigious Silver Fellow Award in May 2016. Dr. Pardue has served on many study sections
from NIH, VA, and various national and international private foundations. She currently serves as a regular
member of NIH Neuroscience ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9851295
- **Project number:** 5IK6RX003134-02
- **Recipient organization:** VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
- **Principal Investigator:** Machelle T. Pardue
- **Activity code:** IK6 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-01-01 → 2025-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9851295

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9851295, RR&D Research Career Scientist Award Application (5IK6RX003134-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9851295. Licensed CC0.

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