The Houston Area Vision Training Program is a long-standing collaborative effort among 38 experienced Vision Research faculty at the University of Texas Health Science Center (UT) and the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO). The primary goal of the Program is to provide high quality training in well-equipped labs by preceptors with strong records of NEI funding, peer-reviewed publication, innovative research and previous training experience. A specific training program is outlined which provides laboratory training in either basic or clinical research with strong components of relevant course work and a rich environment of seminars and visiting scholars. The co-PIs will be Dr. Massey from UT and Dr. Frishman from UHCO. There are 19 investigators at each institution who together hold 21 R01s and 2 R21s from NEI. In addition, both UT and UHCO hold Vision Core Grants. Support is requested for 4 predoctoral positions and 2 post-doctoral positions. This includes 1 new postdoctoral position to support those clinicians with OD degrees who choose to enter the PhD program. In the last funding period, this program supported 15 Ph.D. candidates including 12 predoctoral students and 3 ODs who entered the PhD program. Of these 15 trainees, 10 completed their PhDs , 4 are close to completion and 1 obtained a MS degree. Of the 10 trainees who graduated with PhDs, 9 have research or academic positions. One had obtained an F31 during training, one was awarded an NEI R01 after training and 1 has a tenure-track position. Of the 4 postdoctoral trainees, 3 were ODs in the PhD program and one was a recent PhD. They are all research faculty and/or still in training. Two of the 3 ODs obtained K-Awards during training and the most recent postdoctoral trainee has a pending F32 Award. From a public health perspective, it is important to train the next generation of Vision Researchers. As life expectancy is prolonged, visual problems will be more frequent and will require new methods of treatment. This will require a multidisciplinary approach by researchers specifically trained in Visual Science to apply the latest technology to problems of the Visual System.

Public Health Relevance

perspective, it is important to train the next generation of Vision Researchers. As life expectancy is prolonged, visual problems will be more frequent and will require new methods of treatment. This will require a multidisciplinary approach by researchers specifically trained in Visual Science to apply the latest technology to problems of the Visual System.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Institutional National Research Service Award (T32)
Project #
5T32EY007024-32
Application #
8463184
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZEY1-VSN (05))
Program Officer
Agarwal, Neeraj
Project Start
1975-07-01
Project End
2017-04-30
Budget Start
2013-05-01
Budget End
2014-04-30
Support Year
32
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$128,537
Indirect Cost
$10,385
Name
University of Texas Health Science Center Houston
Department
Ophthalmology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
800771594
City
Houston
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77225
Chaney, Shawnta Y; Mukherjee, Shradha; Giddabasappa, Anand et al. (2016) Increased proliferation of late-born retinal progenitor cells by gestational lead exposure delays rod and bipolar cell differentiation. Mol Vis 22:1468-1489
Rueda, Elda M; Johnson Jr, Jerry E; Giddabasappa, Anand et al. (2016) The cellular and compartmental profile of mouse retinal glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and ~P transferring kinases. Mol Vis 22:847-85
Reins, Rose Y; McDermott, Alison M (2015) Vitamin D: Implications for ocular disease and therapeutic potential. Exp Eye Res 134:101-10
Moore, Keith B; O'Brien, John (2015) Connexins in neurons and glia: targets for intervention in disease and injury. Neural Regen Res 10:1013-7
Ahmedli, Novruz B; Gribanova, Yekaterina; Njoku, Collins C et al. (2013) Dynamics of the rhomboid-like protein RHBDD2 expression in mouse retina and involvement of its human ortholog in retinitis pigmentosa. J Biol Chem 288:9742-54
Redfern, Rachel L; Patel, Nimesh; Hanlon, Samuel et al. (2013) Toll-like receptor expression and activation in mice with experimental dry eye. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 54:1554-63
Wheat, Joe L; Rangaswamy, Nalini V; Harwerth, Ronald S (2012) Correlating RNFL thickness by OCT with perimetric sensitivity in glaucoma patients. J Glaucoma 21:95-101
Lozano, Diana C; Twa, Michael D (2012) Quantitative evaluation of factors influencing the repeatability of SD-OCT thickness measurements in the rat. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 53:8378-85
Perkins, Guy A; Scott, Ray; Perez, Alex et al. (2012) Bcl-xL-mediated remodeling of rod and cone synaptic mitochondria after postnatal lead exposure: electron microscopy, tomography and oxygen consumption. Mol Vis 18:3029-48
Phillips, M Joseph; Otteson, Deborah C (2011) Differential expression of neuronal genes in Muller glia in two- and three-dimensional cultures. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 52:1439-49

Showing the most recent 10 out of 59 publications