ARVO Foundation Announces Winner of
Ludwig von Sallmann Clinician-Scientist Award
Recipient recognized for retinal research and presentation at ARVO Annual Meeting
Rockville, Md.—The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) today announced the recipient of the Ludwig von Sallmann Clinician-Scientist Award. The award, which recognizes Ludwig von Sallmann, MD, honors awardees with a $1,250 honorarium, an inscribed award and invitations to several special events at the ARVO Annual Meeting. The 2021 recipient of the award is Sai Chavala, MD, of Texas Christian University (TCU) and The University of Northern Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) School of Medicine in Fort Worth, Texas.
First awarded in 2011, the Ludwig von Sallmann Clinician-Scientist Award is supported by an anonymous donor through the ARVO Foundation and honors the legacy of Dr. von Sallmann, a distinguished ophthalmologist and ophthalmic investigator known internationally for his contributions towards the basic and clinical understanding of vision and ophthalmology. Eligible candidates include invited speakers of the ARVO Annual Meeting who hold an MD, MD/PhD or equivalent and who are age 45 or younger at the time of presentation.
2021 recipient Chavala currently serves as a professor of surgery at the TCU/UNTHSC School of Medicine in Fort Worth, Texas. His research is focused on cellular reprogramming and cell therapy approaches to repair and regenerate the retina. He has led or participated in more than 75 scholarly presentations, research publications and patents, and is dedicated to several philanthropic activities.
“This prestigious award represents recognition for a major team effort, encompassing years of work, endurance, and fortitude, that will hopefully lead to a transformative therapy for those suffering from vision loss from retinal disease,” says Chavala. “Our long-term goal has been to identify cell reprogramming approaches that do not require stem cells to expedite the development of personalized retinal cell therapy. This award greatly enables my relentless pursuit to garner support and resources to translate this basic science discovery into a clinical therapy.”
To learn more about the Ludwig von Sallmann Clinician-Scientists Award, visit ARVO’s website.
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The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) is the largest eye and vision research organization in the world. Members include approximately 10,000 eye and vision researchers from over 75 countries. ARVO advances research worldwide into understanding the visual system and preventing, treating and curing its disorders. Learn more at ARVO.org.
Established in 2001, the ARVO Foundation for Eye Research raises funds through partnerships, grants and sponsorships to support ARVO’s world-class education and career development resources for eye and vision researchers of all stages of career and education. Learn more at ARVOFoundation.org.
Media contact:
Erin Hering
1.240.221.2927
media@arvo.org