Cynthia Owsley, Ph.D., MSPH, professor and Nathan E. Miles Chair of Ophthalmology in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Ophthalmology, was named chair-elect of the Ethics and Regulations in Human Research Committee of ARVO, the Association for Research in Vision Science and Ophthalmology.“I can’t think of a more appropriate and deserving scientist to serve in this role,” said Christopher Girkin, M.D., MSPH, chair of the UAB Department of Ophthalmology. “ARVO is the most preeminent vision research organization in the world, and this appointment reflects an appreciation of Dr. Owsley’s internationally renowned experience in the design and application of clinical research, which is an invaluable asset to our department and to ARVO.”
The ARVO Ethics and Regulations in Human Research Committee reviews and recommends policies and positions regarding human biomedical research, serves as a resource for vision science researchers, and increases awareness of bioethical considerations in human research.
Owsley will take on the duties of chair-elect following the close of the 2014 ARVO annual meeting on May 8. She will assume the role of chair immediately following the 2015 annual meeting for a two-year term ending in 2017.
Owsley was named a Gold Fellow by ARVO in 2013. Her research program focuses on aging-related eye disease and vision impairment and is funded by a number of organizations, including the National Institutes of Health, Research to Prevent Blindness, the EyeSight Foundation of Alabama, Prevent Blindness, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Her research embodies many approaches, including methodologies from psychophysics, epidemiology, clinical trials and health services research.