David Calkins

The International Retinal Research Foundation Board’s Sandra Blackwood poses with Vanderbilt’s Paul Sternberg Jr., MD, left, and David Calkins, PhD.
September 22, 2022

Major commitment bolsters Vanderbilt’s retinal vision research efforts

A $10 million gift from the International Retinal Research Foundation will establish a center dedicated to retinal vision research at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute and a directorship to support a physician-scientist leader in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.

By Nancy Humphrey
September 8, 2022

Calkins lands national award for research on blinding eye diseases

Vanderbilt’s David Calkins, PhD, has been selected by the Research to Prevent Blindness and Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology to receive the 2023 David F. Weeks Award for Outstanding Vision Research.

By Nancy Humphrey
July 20, 2020

Study points to potential new approach to treating neurodegenerative diseases like glaucoma and Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have shown for the first time that when one optic nerve in the eye is damaged, as in glaucoma, the opposite optic nerve comes to the rescue by sharing its metabolic energy.

By Bill Snyder
July 25, 2019

Eye Institute receives $10 million gift for vision research efforts

The Vanderbilt Eye Institute (VEI) has received a $10 million gift that will fund regenerative visual neuroscience research to develop transformative therapies for eye diseases.

By Jessica Pasley
June 28, 2018

Calkins lands innovation award from Research to Prevent Blindness

Jun. 28, 2018—David Calkins, PhD, vice chair and director of Research at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute, has been granted one of the preeminent awards in vision research — the Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) Stein Innovation Award.

By Jessica Pasley
eye
February 22, 2018

Glaucoma study finds brain fights to preserve vision

A team of researchers, led by David Calkins, PhD, vice chair and director of Research at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute, has made a breakthrough discovery in the field of glaucoma showing new hopes for treatments to preserve vision.

By Jessica Pasley
October 5, 2017

Vision conference brings together research groups from across the Southeast

The Vanderbilt Eye Institute (VEI) recently hosted the Southeastern Vision Conference to celebrate and share excellence in vision science.
By Jessica Pasley
August 15, 2017

A solar eclipse can hurt your eyesight without you knowing it – here’s why.

By VUMC News and Communications
September 1, 2016

‘Audacious’ grant spurs research on retina regeneration

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt University have received a $1.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support research to restore vision through regeneration of the retina.
By Jessica Pasley
June 25, 2015

VEI receives grant from Research to Prevent Blindness for research and education

The Vanderbilt Eye Institute recently received a grant for $115,000 from Research to Prevent Blindness, placing the total award amount for unrestricted grants from the organization at $860,000.
By Jessica Pasley
December 16, 2014

Retinal neuron survival in glaucoma

Understanding how the protein TRPV1 helps neurons survive after glaucoma-related stressors could lead to new therapeutic strategies for glaucoma and other neurodegenerative conditions.
By Leigh MacMillan
October 2, 2014

Regenerative visual neuroscience effort launched

Vanderbilt University has launched a regenerative visual neuroscience initiative to develop new ways of treating — and restoring sight to — people who have been blinded by glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and eye injuries.
By Bill Snyder
March 14, 2014

Protein boosts retinal neuron survival

An ion channel protein called TRIPV1 helps retinal neurons survive the elevated eye pressure associated with glaucoma.
By Leigh MacMillan
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