UCI Secures $575K Grant from Research to Prevent Blindness

The University of California, Irvine School of Medicine announced the reception of a prestigious Unrestricted Grant from the esteemed nonprofit organization, Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB). The substantial grant, amounting to $575,000 over a five-year period, will be dedicated to supporting research initiatives within the Department of Ophthalmology.

Vladimir Kefalov, a distinguished UCI professor specializing in ophthalmology and physiology & biophysics, and vice chair for research of the Department of Ophthalmology, expressed his enthusiasm for the transformative impact this grant is poised to have. "The future of our department over the next five years looks very bright, and this grant will be instrumental in sustaining and expanding our research tools, as well as provide a funding boost for faculty small pilot research projects," remarked Professor Kefalov.

The grant is a testament to the University's commitment to pushing the boundaries of eye-related research and fostering innovation within the field of ophthalmology. UCI stands among an exclusive group of institutions, being one of only 29 across the nation to receive an RPB Unrestricted Grant.

The selection process for this accolade involved a meticulous evaluation of various criteria, including the department's research activities, the caliber of laboratory equipment, and the expertise of scientific staff.