Sightings - Schepens Eye Research InstituteDry eye disease is a chronic, progressive disease that...

Sightings

Sum

mer

2007

The Next Generation of Leaders—A Gift for the Future

Schepens Eye Research Institute 2

From the Chairman

Making an investment in vision research is a smartmove. We hear this message loud and clear from someunexpected sources these days. State governments andbig business are making the unambiguous statementthat biomedical research needs to be on the fasttrack. What is our role in responding to their call toaddress critical health care needs?

Following in the footsteps of states like California,New York and New Jersey, Massachusetts GovernorDeval Patrick recently announced an ambitious planto invest $1 billion of state funds in the life sciencesindustry and to create the largest stem cell bank inthe world. In states with so many other competingconcerns – from education reform to gun control –why are such significant resources being directedto research? They have recognized that the down-turn in federal research funding could have thedoubly negative impact of driving the rising starsof life sciences research to other more welcomingcountries as well as delaying the development ofcures, each having serious implications for the healthand vitality of our communities and economy.

State governments are not the only ones who arespeaking out about the urgent need for advances inhealthcare. Safeway CEO Steve Burd and otherbusiness leaders from Fortune 500 companieslaunched a major healthcare reform initiative thisspring, bringing attention to a looming crisis and itsexpected impact on big business. As our workforceages and turns to employers to cover the costs ofcare for chronic conditions, business leaders see thewriting on the wall. Many blinding diseases and eyedisorders are diseases of aging that affect tens ofmillions of Americans, and that play a major role inthe growing costs of care. Vision research becomesincreasingly important in addressing the problemthat Burd and others face.

At Schepens Eye Research Institute, we are leadingthe global response to the urgent need for preventions,therapies, and even cures for blindness. We have

responded to the shrinking of the National Institutesof Health budget by finding innovative ways to col-laborate with those who share our goals. Our robustCorporate Alliances Program and our partnershipwith the Department of Defense have been essentialin helping us move significant ideas forward. Privatephilanthropists have also played a major role inadvancing cutting-edge research, like that of ourregenerative medicine program, in the face of outdatedlegislation and limited federal support. We areworking hard to facilitate collaborations between ourresearchers and their colleagues at other organizations.Through partnerships with other research and clinicalorganizations, we encourage the cross-pollinationof ideas to step up the pace of discovery.

From the lives of everyday people to the health ofthe nation’s economy, the impact of finding effectivetherapies and cures for blindness cannot be overstated.As we recognize this, we bring about an unprece-dented alignment of public and private forces forone purpose – to give big ideas wings.

Sincerely,

Kennett F. BurnesChairman of the BoardSchepens Eye Research InstitutePresident and Chief Executive Officer, Cabot Corporation

3Sightings · Summer 2007

From the President

Scientists trace their lineages, drawing lines of connection from mentor to trainee. These lines,when seen together, tell a story. A mentor’s passionfor discovery infects the next generation, creatingthe conditions necessary for major breakthroughs.Count the many eminent scientists and clinicianswho trace their scientific lineage to Schepens EyeResearch Institute, and one sees the connectionsbetween discoveries that before may have seemedcompletely unrelated; we are at the epicenter ofinnovation in vision research, a home to global leaderswho have shaped the conversation about new treat-ments, therapies and cures for more than 50 years.

Internationally, Schepens Eye Research Institute’sfaculty and trainees play a leading role in drivingprogress. One current example is the Dry EyeWorkShop (DEWS), an international group of morethan 60 scientists, clinicians and industry specialists,two-thirds of whom are Institute scientists or alumni.Over a period of three years, this group has workedto evaluate and update the definition, classificationand diagnosis of dry eye and related ocular surfacediseases, which they have presented at several con-ferences and meetings. Dry eye disease is a chronic,progressive disease that afflicts approximately 40-60million people in the US and 100 million worldwide.According to the 2003 Morgan Stanley Dry EyeReport, diagnosis rates in the US are estimated tobe less than 20% of the dry eye patient population.The DEWS effort will be critical to extendingtreatment to all who need it.

Institute scientists and alumni are prominent onthe global stage, and their impact gets attention.The Association for Research in Vision andOphthalmology (ARVO), with 12,000 members inmore than 70 countries around the world, hasoften recognized the Institute’s leadership in visionresearch. This year, Dr. Ilene Gipson receivedARVO’s highest research honor, the FriedenwaldAward, for her seminal contributions to basic andclinical understanding of wound healing, epithelialanchorage and mucin biology in the areas of ocularsurface and cornea research. Moreover, Dr. Eli Peliwas the recipient of Lighthouse International’s

2006 Pisart Vision Award. This prestigious awardannually honors someone who has made an extra-ordinary contribution to the prevention, cure ortreatment of severe vision impairment or blindness.An electrical engineer and an optometrist by training,Dr. Peli has devoted his career to creating andevaluating new technologies to help low visionpatients regain their ability to conduct everydaytasks such as reading, walking and driving.

Our network of innovation has never been stronger,and major advances in eye health are within our grasp.I am proud that our members continue SchepensEye Research Institute’s tradition of defining thefuture of vision research and treatment—throughtheir own groundbreaking work, and by shapingnew generations of scientific and medical leaders.

Sincerely,

Michael S. Gilmore, PhDPresident, CEO and DeWalt and Marie Ankeny Director of Research


The Next Generation of Leaders—A Gift for the Future

Joan Stein-Streilein, Ph.D.

Photos courtesy of Peter Mallen and Graham Ramsay


“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other." —John F. Kennedy

continued: next page

While the award directly commended Dr. D’Amore,it also acknowledged the Institute and its facultyfor their longstanding commitment to the specialrole of the “mentor.” Mentoring is the most personal, intense and lasting aspect of the trainingthat goes on at Schepens Eye Research Institute.Each post- or pre-doctoral student at the Instituteworks with a mentor. Mentors—usually the headsof laboratories—meet regularly with trainees, and,over time, help to shape and support the interests,scientific creativity and technical and leadershipskills of their “apprentices”.

“My relationship with Pat D’Amore has been, andcontinues to be, one of the primary professionalrelationships of my career,” says Dr. Diane Darland,now Assistant Professor of Biology at the Universityof North Dakota in Grand Forks, who was a post-doctoral fellow in Dr. D’Amore’s laboratory from1998 to 2003. “Among the many things I learnedfrom Pat is how important it is to study the basicbiological questions that most intrigue me, since thatis what will help to keep creativity and enthusiasmflowing,” she says, adding that she sees “mentoring”as an essential ingredient for the growth of a scientist.

“Watching someone change and mature as a scien-tist and a person is a very gratifying part of my job,and it is also a way for me to give back for thementoring that I received,” says Dr. D’Amore.“Good mentoring can make or break people. Youcan turn them on to science in a big way or turnthem off forever,” she says.

Dr. D’Amore believes that research is collabora-tive, not hierarchical. “We are all working togeth-er. I see myself as a coach or a guide, not a boss. Iam also always a learner myself. I try to create anatmosphere where people can have fun and knowthat I have their best interests at heart.”

As we look ahead into the next century, leaderswill be those who empower others,” says BillGates, who founded a software empire, yet spendsmuch of his money and time reaching out to supportthe talent and growth of others. This sentimentand the mission it implies is one that Schepens EyeResearch Institute embraced at its founding morethan five decades ago and one which is alive, well,and growing today.

“Empowering young vision scientists to take theknowledge and inspiration we offer and carry itthroughout the world is a major focus for all of us at theInstitute,” says President Dr. Michael Gilmore. “It isas vital an endeavor as our daily exploration and majordiscoveries,” he adds. “Fostering scientific leadersfor tomorrow ensures the continuity of our missionto restore the gift of sight to millions worldwide.”

Each year, more than 60 post-doctoral and pre-doctoral scientists benefit from the guidance offeredby the Schepens Eye Research Institute’s faculty,and over the years, at least 50 full professors havespent their formative years under the tutelage ofour world-class scientists. Many more who “grewup” here have advanced around the globe, throughindustry and academia, continuing the Institute’straditions of scientific excellence and inspiringhope. Shaping the next generation of scientists is a multi-faceted endeavor.

The Mentor—A Wise and Trusted GuideOn June 20, 2007, Senior Scientist Dr. PatriciaD'Amore received the 2006 A. Clifford BargerExcellence in Mentoring Award, given each year byHarvard Medical School (HMS) to faculty nominatedfor the prize by their trainees. Dr. D’Amore, aProfessor of Ophthalmology and Pathology atHMS, was chosen because she exemplifies thefinest qualities of a teacher and mentor, guidingyoung scientists to take their place in the scientificcommunity as researchers and leaders.


Adds Dr. Darland, “I think mentoring plays a sig-nificant role in vision research, as in any researchdiscipline. While there are certainly individuals whostand out, it is in essence an integrative communityworking to solve basic research and clinical questions.Mentoring is an integral part of that process.”

Senior Scientist Dr. Reza Dana agrees: “I wouldsay that the two most enriching aspects of what Ido on the research side are education and discovery,and they really go hand in hand. The actual workof research is done by our trainees; they are mak-ing the discoveries. As mentors, we can guide themas they need our perspective and expertise," he says.

“And, by being mentors, we also keep learning. It isthe working and learning together that makes ourscience better. This is not only the checks and balancesof our academic mission; this is also what reallydifferentiates us from many other places where sci-entific discovery is underway, but where teaching andmentoring are not principal goals, such as in industry.”

Says Dr. Pedram Hamrah, a clinical fellow inCornea & Refractive Surgery at the MassachusettsEye & Ear Infirmary (MEEI), who worked with

Dr. Dana for two years at the Institute and is con-tinuing to train with him at MEEI today, “Theexperience I had in Dr. Dana's laboratory has beenthe most rewarding experience of my career. I cantruly say that without this experience, I would nothave chosen to stay in vision research.”

Scientific mentoring goes both ways, according toDr. Joan Stein-Streilein, a senior scientist at theInstitute. “I try to give my trainees tools that helpthem to organize their thoughts and enrich theircreativity. Many of the mentoring strategies in science are similar to those used to teach an artstudent to find his or her creativity. As always,when you develop a mentoring relationship with abright creative student of science, both the studentand the mentor learn,” she says. “Science cannotbe done in a vacuum, and this basic relationshipbetween a mentor and a student allows for a secure environment to begin to talk about testingprimitive ideas. These discussions of primitiveideas yield to the development of hypotheses andmethods to test the postulates.”

Dr. Douglas Faunce, a former post-doctoral fellowof Dr. Stein-Streilein says: “The role of the mentoris critical if the trainee is to become a successful,independently funded researcher. A mentor has tobe more than just a good scientist and teacher himor herself. Mentors have to be able to recognize,

foster, and maintain interest, creativity, and enthu-siasm among their trainees. Joan was all this for me.”Dr. Faunce is now an Assistant Professor in theDepartments of Surgery and Immunology/Microbiology at Loyola University Stritch Schoolof Medicine in Illinois.

Mentoring often goes beyond the fellowship orformal training period, according to Dr. Stein-Streilein. “I still discuss ideas with my PhD mentor,and I am always pleased to hear from those whom I have mentored. The mentor in this world of science is very special. It really doesn’t exist quite

“ The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” —Ralph Nader

Patr

icia

D’Am

or

e, Ph.D.

RezaDana, M.D., M.Sc., M.P.H.


this program is to provide expertise in molecularapproaches to ophthalmology and vision research,and includes a course especially designed for theProgram in which experts lecture on molecularaspects of various ocular pathologies. Five trainees,with specific interest in this area of investigation,receive financial support from the grant for theirfirst year, and then are expected to write their owngrants to sustain their research for the remainingyears of their training.

Dr. Dana heads yet another training program, the Harvard-Vision Clinical Scientist DevelopmentProgram, which offers a customized and structuredlearning and research experience to a select groupof qualified clinician scientists looking for additionalmentored learning to hone their skills as independentscientists as they perform in their roles as juniorfaculty members at Harvard. They complete corecourses and a summer immersion program andmeet regularly with Dr. Dana.

A third special training program—in this case, forpre-doctoral students—is available through theNIH-funded, Harvard-wide Program in OcularImmunology. Dr. Joan Stein-Streilein is the principalinvestigator for this grant, which exposes youngscientists to the field of ocular immunology.

The Future Is Bright“We believe that the combination of structuredtraining and intense mentoring helps us inspire scientistswho can take the mission of this organization, runwith it, and at the same time continue to collaboratewith us on the most important eye research mysteriesand discoveries,” says Dr. Gilmore. “Excellenttraining creates powerful leaders, and those leaderswill advance our shared mission to preserve visionand cure blindness.”

in the same way in many other professions. Studentscientists must pursue their own interests, focustheir own research, create their own goals, and we, as mentors, must give them tools to help them succeed.”

Training Programs—The Support of a Collaborative CommunityAlthough the mentor relationship is the most intimateand intense educational experience at the Institute,trainees also receive a number of additional structuredopportunities to expand their investigative, writing,team and leadership skills.

The Institute Post-Doctoral Training Program forVision Scientists and the Training Program in theMolecular Bases of Eye Diseases are headed by Dr.D’Amore. Through the Training Program for VisionScientists, each post-doctoral fellow receives a mentor as well as a designated, additional advisorwho is available for consultation and is committedto the student’s success. The program also consistsof weekly seminars, where each student presents atleast once. Training in ethics and responsibleresearch conduct are also part of the curriculum.

“Our goal is to make sure that post-docs leave hereequipped to run their own labs, should they choose.We want them to know how to give seminars, writeand review manuscripts, utilize statistics appropriately,create graphics and images, write animal protocols,assemble and give poster presentations for majorconferences, and write grants,” says D’Amore.

The Training Program in the Molecular Bases of EyeDiseases, funded by a grant from the National EyeInstitute, is available to students of faculty mem-bers in the Department of Ophthalmology at HMSand includes students from HMS, Mass Eye & Ear,the Institute and other HMS affiliates. The goal of

" The growth and development of people

is the highest calling of leadership."

—Harvey S. Firestone

" The final test of a leader is that he leaves

behind in others the conviction and will to

carry on." —Walter Lippman


Your Eye Health • Debra A. Schaumberg, Sc.D., O.D., M.P.H.

Question: What is the relationship between

nutrition and good vision, and what should I

do to keep my eyes healthy?

Answer: The old saying “you are what you

eat” is as true for your eyes as for any

other part of your body. Just as eating right

keeps your heart healthy, so, too, it keeps

your eyes functioning well as long as possible,

even if you have a genetic predisposition

toward eye disorders.

In fact, if you follow a heart-healthy lifestyle, you will most likely be taking good care of youreyes, too. Plan a diet rich in a variety of fruits andvegetables, limiting the amount and kinds of fatyou consume and eating more of what are consid-ered “good” fats. It also means exercising daily and throwing away your cigarettes.

While these are general guidelines for an overallhealthy lifestyle, there is scientific evidence to supportsuch a regime specifically for your eyes. Althoughwe have not discovered everything about the effectof food on vision, we do know three things.

First, we know that obesity, which has beenincreasing over the past two decades and is nowepidemic in the U.S., is also one of the most com-mon and dangerous issues for preserving goodvision into older ages. Studies have found a directrelationship between obesity and the onset andprogression of cataracts and age-related maculardegeneration. Obesity is also a major risk factor for diabetes with its link to diabetic retinopathy,one of the primary causes of adult blindness.

Second, recent studies have shown that eatingfoods rich in omega-3 fatty acids—the “good” fatfound in fish, some nuts and vegetables such asavocados—can prevent or lessen the symptoms ofdry eye syndrome, which can be extremely debili-tating. Five million people in the U.S. suffer fromdry eye syndrome, and post-menopausal womenare especially at risk.

Our laboratory recently published a large epidemi-ological study that pointed to a connection betweenthe ratio of omega-3 fatty acids and the omega-6variety (found in meats and dairy products) and dry eye disease. Most of us consume much moreomega-6 than omega-3. But people in the studywith a better balance were less likely to have dry eye syndrome.


It is also becoming evident that balancing omega-3and omega-6 fatty acids can protect against age-related macular degeneration, and a large nationalclinical trial is underway to determine the effectivelevels of omega-3 supplements for those at risk.

Third, research has shown that micronutrients(vitamins and trace minerals) may slow the pro-gression of macular degeneration and cataracts. A large study sponsored by the National EyeInstitute indicated that a supplement containingvitamins C and E, beta-carotene and zinc couldslow the progression in those at risk for severeAMD and help save their vision. Although not as clear-cut, micronutrients may also slow thedevelopment of cataracts, but only after years of daily consumption.

All three of these issues—obesity, the balance ofgood and bad fats and daily intake of vitamins andtrace minerals (in fruits and vegetables) are alsoimportant to the prevention of heart disease andother age-related problems.

The bottom line and the unified public healthtake-home message is that the same well balanceddiet rich in a variety of fruits, vegetables, andomega-3 fatty acids will help not only your heartbut will also save your sight. For those at risk forsevere AMD, a supplement containing vitamins Cand E, zinc, and beta-carotene (those who smokecigarettes should check with their doctor beforetaking beta-carotene) helps delay vision loss.

Debra A. Schaumberg, Sc.D., O.D., M.P.H., an AdjunctScientist at Schepens Eye Research Institute, is also anAssociate Professor of Medicine and Ophthalmologyat Harvard Medical School and Brigham & Women’sHospital. An epidemiologist who specializes in identi-fying risk factors for age-related eye disease, she haspublished studies on the causes of dry eye syndrome,cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD)and diabetic retinopathy, as well as the importanceof omega-3 fatty acids in the diet.


Ask the Expert • Peter Bex, Ph.D.

Question: I have macular degeneration. Can you give me an example of the research you do to help people like me?

Answer: People who are losing their vision from diseases such as macular degeneration automatically create ways to compensate fortheir vision loss. Sometimes those unconscious adjustments are veryuseful, while other times they can make processing visual informationfrom the environment even more difficult. We aim to understand theadjustments people make, and suggest behavioral or environmentalchanges if the adjustments are not helpful.

with normal vision. They areconstantly looking at the walls,the corners and the floor as they make their way to the end ofthe corridor. Normally sightedpeople, on the other hand, makea direct line to the hallway’s endwith only an occasional extraneousglance. We believe that this con-stant shifting eye movementmay significantly slow a persondown and actually prevent himor her from processing wellenough to see objects that couldmake them trip or fall.

This kind of information mayhelp us suggest new behaviorsthat could help a person withlow vision compensate. Forinstance, we might encouragelonger, slower scanning of thehallway before and during atrek. While counterintuitive, it might increase visual compre-hension of the entire space andincrease walking speed.

One of our post-doctoral studentshas come to just such a conclu-sion in one study of reading and

We begin by comparing thevisual behavior of people withnormal vision and those withlow vision in real-life situations,observing differences in behaviorundertaking similar tasks. Fromthose observations we can makerecommendations that translateinto new devices, adaptive train-ing programs or modificationsin work or living environments.

For instance, we are trying tounderstand why people withmacular degeneration walk moreslowly and trip and fall morefrequently when walking down a hallway than normally sightedpeople. By attaching a small specialized camera, known as amobile eye tracker, under theeyes of normal subjects andthose of subjects with maculardegeneration, we are able to follow eye movements as theywalk down a hallway. We havefound that people with maculardegeneration make many timesmore eye movements than those

Dr. Peter Bex is an AssociateScientist at Schepens Eye ResearchInstitute and Associate Professorof Ophthalmology at HarvardMedical School. His research usesbehavioral assessment of visualfunction to increase understandingof visual processing in people withvision loss from diseases such asmacular degeneration, glaucomaand amblyopia. The ultimate goalis to help people maximize thevision they still have..

macular degeneration. He foundthat if people with maculardegeneration read each wordand scan text lines slowly, theyactually increase reading effi-ciency and speed because moreinformation is obtained fromeach eye fixation.

Simply put, our purpose is tomaximize a person’s remainingvision to give him or her thefullest possible life.


It is true that it takes a village to raise a child, especially when that child has severely limitedvision. Born with congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV),Kyle Rock has been legally blind since birth. Whenthe Rocks moved to the Boston area in 1998, theyquickly developed a network of valuable resourcesthat included friends and local vision organizations,especially the Perkins School for the Blind, Inter-Actions Camp for children who are visuallyimpaired, the Carroll Center for the Blind, and the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind.

The Rocks relied on this network when Kyle wantedto join the carpentry program at Tri-County Voca-tional High School. The school had concerns abouta legally blind student using power tools, but Edand Jill Rock supported Kyle’s goal and reachedout to the Carroll Center to help educate schooladministrators and make a case for his ability tooperate the equipment safely. Kyle was extremely

Champions of Vision Researchsuccessful in the program and crafted a beautifulgrandfather clock for his senior project that is now lovingly displayed in his family home.

Continuing the search for ways to aid his condition,Kyle’s mother discovered a source of hope in theform of Schepens Eye Research Institute, whosegroundbreaking research is looking to use stemcells to treat retinal disease. The family made thedecision to support the Institute financially, basedon their desire to direct their personal resources toa place that was meaningful to them and their son.The Institute also proved to be the best place tofind the technologies that could help him live hislife to the fullest today.

Now 19 years old, Kyle has completed his freshmanyear at Green Mountain College in Vermont. He is a motivated student and has adapted to campusliving by using techniques to maximize his remaining

continued on page 13

“When you have a child with visual

impairments and experience the stages of

acceptance, you ask yourself how you can

solve the problem. The answer is finding

a place that offers you hope.”

Ed Rock, father of Kyle.

Kyle Rock in his freshman year at

Green Mountain College in Vermont.


Profiles in Philanthropy • William Wolff Society

As a primary care physician andformer Dean for Faculty Affairsat Harvard Medical School,Eleanor has a unique under-standing of the critical role thatbasic and clinical research playin developing treatments for eyedisease. In fact, Eleanor believesthat “the discoveries made atSchepens Eye Research Institutewill help preserve eyesight allover the world.”

Although Eleanor and her familyhave not been afflicted with eyedisease, she feels strongly

Eleanor G. Shore, M.D.

Trustee Supports Institutewith a Tax-Wise Gift

Schepens Eye Research Institute’s affiliation with

Harvard Medical School has yielded many benefits to both

organizations. One of the great byproducts of this relation-

ship for the Institute has been the distinguished service

of Dr. Eleanor G. Shore as Trustee for the last 14 years.

enough about the work at theInstitute that in addition to herstewardship as Trustee, she hasalso chosen to support theInstitute financially. As Eleanorrecently remarked, “Individualgifts are essential complements tofederal and foundation supportif the talents of our researchersare to be fully realized.”

In 2006 Eleanor was able to takeadvantage of the recently enactedPension Protection Act (PPA) tomake a gift with funds distributeddirectly from her IRA. In thepast, one would have to with-draw money from his or herIRA and pay income taxes onthe withdrawal before making acharitable gift. Under the PPA,

individuals aged 70 1/2 or oldercan transfer funds directly fromtheir IRA to charitable organiza-tions, without having to declarethe distribution as taxableincome. However, like mostfavorable tax laws there is acatch: these gifts can only bemade in 2006 and 2007. By mak-ing a tax-wise gift last year,Eleanor was able to enhance hercontribution to Schepens EyeResearch Institute, and she andher husband, Miles, plan to dothe same again in 2007.

Dr. Eleanor Shore with her

husband, Dr. Miles Shore.

Champions of Vision Research—continued from page 11

vision. Although Kyle will not be able to drive acar, he maintains his independence with tools like a “Zoom Text” enhancer for his computer, a textreader to read his lecture notes, books on tape, a hand-held monocular, and a hand lens. Kyle’sparents are very proud of his persistence; typicaltasks can take twice as long for him, but his dedication to his goals never wavers.

“We want more families to know that by con-tributing to the Institute, they are supportingpotential advancements that can help them or afamily member,” stated Ed Rock. The Rocks areworking with the Institute to pursue an on-line

community for families like theirs to connect andlearn what opportunities, technologies and newdiscoveries are currently available or on the horizon.They hope to launch this new resource later thissummer. “With the right support, there is so much possibility,” says Jill.

For more information on how to make a contribution to benefit vision research, contact Melanie Saunders at 617.912.2564 or by e-mail at [email protected]. You can also make an on-line donation by visiting our secure site atwww.schepens.harvard.edu.


Left to right: Dr. Darlene Dartt, Dr. Alice Adler,

Dr. Eleanor Shore, Dr. Lu Chen, Dr. Reza Dana.

Upon her retirement two yearsago, Eleanor decided to cut backon many of her activities so thatshe could spend more time withher four grandchildren, theyoungest of whom (born in late2006) is named after her.However, she has continuedwith those causes that are par-ticularly close to her heart. Inaddition to her Trusteeship atthe Institute, she is also active in fundraising for the Shore

our research. The impact of theInstitute’s research may yieldbenefits to her grandchildren’sgeneration—sparing many ofthem from the devastatingeffects of eye disease.

To learn more about making a tax-wise gift to support our research,please call the Development Office at877.724.3736 or send an e-mail to:[email protected].

fellowships, which supportjunior faculty at HarvardMedical School and its affiliateswho might otherwise getderailed from their focus onresearch. One such fellowship,the Alice Adler Fellowship, supports the activities of juniorresearchers at Schepens EyeResearch Institute.

The time that Eleanor has been able to spend with hergrandchildren has also given her a greater appreciation for

Dr. Eleanor Shore

with Reid/ Shore Fellow

Dr. Evelyn Stewart.


FRIENDS of schepens eye research institute

Collaborating for CuresThaddeus P. Dryja, M.D., Head, TranslationalMedicine in Ophthalmology and Molecular Genetics at Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research inCambridge, MA, and Trustee, Schepens Eye ResearchInstitute, answers questions about the advantages inherent in our Corporate Alliances Program.

Question: From your perspective as a professional inthe pharmaceutical industry and as a trustee at theInstitute, why is it important for an organization like Schepens Eye Research Institute to establishalliances with industry?Answer: The primary motivation for a career in scienceis to learn about the world around us: what is theearth made of, how it functions, how it is organized, howwe arrived here, and what is our future. Biomedicalscientists have a much more specific goal, and that isto provide information that ultimately may help us tounderstand diseases that afflict humans. Specialrewards come whenever a scientist makes a discoverythat will have a foreseeable impact on human suffering.

During the course of their work, scientists atthe Institute may obtain insights into new ways totreat blinding diseases. They may recognize a newbiochemical pathway that is fundamental to the causeof a disease, or their work may show how augmentingor interrupting some cellular process changes a disease in an animal model in a beneficial way. The“eureka moments” do not, however, lead directly to a drug. Rather, they allow one to speculate about apossible therapy. To test the speculation requiresenormous teams, and these teams are the core oflarge pharmaceutical firms like Novartis.

The flow of ideas and technologies can alsotravel from industry to academia. There are large basicscience research laboratories at pharmaceutical andbiotechnology companies. In addition, these companiesobtain a wealth of information from clinical trials of newdrugs. The results from these studies can stimulate theconception of or aid in the design of new experimentsat academic laboratories like those at the Institute tofurther refine our understanding of human disease.

Question: What does the Institute gain from a collaboration?Answer: Part of the reason for the existence of bothSchepens Eye Research Institute and biotechnologycompanies is to innovate, and innovation requiresintelligence, information, and communication. Both the Institute and Novartis are staffed with superblyqualified and brilliant scientists. The communicationbetween such groups can provide the final ingredientfor producing big breakthroughs. Novartis generatesideas for new therapeutic approaches internally, and itwelcomes the opportunity to explore these ideas withacademic researchers. A close relationship betweenSchepens Eye Research Institute and a large pharma-ceutical corporation like Novartis can provide benefitsfor both institutions, and more importantly, it can provide benefits for patients.

Question: How does it benefit corporations? Answer: It is generally not feasible for a single scientistor small laboratory in an academic setting to assembleand finance the work necessary to create drugs or to test novel approaches to therapy. A major missionof a company like Novartis is to conduct these drug-discovery programs. This work is motivated by theconfidence that an occasional insight from a scientist,either from Schepens Eye Research Institute or fromwithin a pharmaceutical company like Novartis, willoccasionally result in a new drug that will provide amagnificent benefit to humans for the rest of time.The quality of research at the Institute makes it rankhigh on the list of academic laboratories to pay attention to and to collaborate with.

Thaddeus Dryja, M.D.


Question: What role do you (or someone in your position) play? Answer: I have multiple duties at Novartis. My prima-ry duty is to design and conduct the early clinical tri-als of new drugs to see if they are safe and likely tohave the desired effect on a disease. In the course ofthis work, I interact with basic scientists in Novartisand in academia to identify biochemical targets thatmight be the topic of a drug discovery effort. A closerelationship with the scientists at the Institute helps

Who: Grand Honorary Chair Herme de Wyman MiroHonorary Chairs Judith Murat Grubman

Kathryn VecellioChairs Colleen Bain

Sandy KrakoffKay LyonsMichele MillardAnne MoranMonika PrestonNancy RaquetLaurie SilversAndrea Stark

What: Vision of Beauty LuncheonWhere: Mar-A-Lago Club Palm Beach, FloridaWhen: November 29, 2007Why: Season Kick-off Event for

Schepens Eye Research Institute

Contact: Ann Marie Ware, 617.912.2573

me to come up with those ideas and in turn allowsthose scientists to learn of projects and new ideas atNovartis that might be ripe for collaboration. Ofcourse, all of the interactions have to be conductedwith the appropriate respect for and protectionsregarding intellectual property on both sides. I wouldconsider it a major achievement of my lifetime if Iwas able to facilitate a new therapy that resulted froma collaboration between Novartis and Schepens EyeResearch Institute.•

Judith Murat

Grubman and

Kathryn Vecellio,

Honorary Chairs

Upcoming Vision of Beauty luncheon chairs.

Front row: Andrea Stark; Laurie Silvers; Herme de Wyman Miro,

Grand Honorary Chair; Michele Millard. Standing back: Colleen Bain;

Kay Lyons; Monika Preston; Anne Moran and Nancy Raquet.

Not pictured: Sandy Krakoff.

Herme de Wyman Miro,

Grand Honorary Chair

Vision of Beauty

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Schepens Eye Research Institute’s Annual Meeting, October 19, 2007 Starr Center for Scientific Communications, Charles River Plaza, Boston, MA

Join us to learn about the latest advances in vision research.

Schepens trustees, corporators, friends,faculty and staff will hear a “State of theScience” address from Institute President Dr. Michael Gilmore, as well as from keynotespeakers who will share their views on theopportunities and challenges facing biomedical research.

Reserve your seat today!

For more information, contact Nina Collins at 617.912.2527 or [email protected].

Sightings - Schepens Eye Research InstituteDry eye disease is a chronic, progressive disease that...

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