August 29, 2003

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Clyde Guidry, Ph.D., associate professor of ophthalmology at UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham), is one of seven scientists in the United States to receive a Special Scholar Award from Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB), the world’s leading voluntary organization supporting eye research. The awards, which range from $50,000 to $70,000, recognize and reward promising young scientists of exceptional merit.

Guidry’s primary research focus is in the cell biology of diabetic retinopathy and the role of growth factors in the progression of the disease. The development of diabetic retinopathy, one of the leading causes of vision loss in adults, is poorly understood and Guidry hopes his efforts will lead to a better understanding of the mechanics of the disease.

Guidry completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Texas, Arlington in 1981 and graduate studies in cell biology at the University of Texas Health Science Center, Dallas in 1986. After postdoctoral studies in biochemistry at UAB, he joined the ophthalmology faculty in 1992.

Besides Guidry, scientists from the University of California at Los Angles, St. Louis University, University of Louisville, University of Utah, Washington University and the University of Southern California received the Special Scholar Award.

RPB has conveyed 147 Special Scholar Awards to scientists at 43 institutions. Since it was founded in 1960, RPB has channeled hundreds of millions of dollars to medical institutions throughout the United States. As a result, RPB has played a role in nearly every major breakthrough in eye research in that time, including the development of laser surgery now used to treat diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, macular degeneration, myopia retinal detachment and astigmatism.