| About VSRC |
| Director Associate Director | ||||
| Steven J. Pittler, PhD Paul Gamlin, PhD | ||||
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UWIRC Center: Continuously since 1995 (http://www.uab.edu/research/administration/centerscores/pages/UWIRCHome.aspx)
VSRC Administrative Core VSRC Research Programming & Computational Analysis Core VSRC Instrumentation Core VSRC Molecular & Cellular Analysis Core VSRC Ocular Phenotyping Core Mission and Demographics
The Vision Science Research Center (VSRC) was established in 1979 to draw together vision scientists from the entire UAB campus. To be designated a University-Wide Interdisciplinary Research Center (UWIRC), the VSRC has demonstrated sponsorship from more than two UAB schools, and has been evaluated by the University's Research Advisory Group on substantive interdisciplinary faculty involvement; provision of research infrastructure; contribution to the intellectual environment so as to enhance faculty and student recruitment, development and retention; a financial base to support center and core activities; internal and external review processes to assure high quality and productivity; and leadership in the integration of research and service including community outreach or partnerships. The VSRC currently is one of 24 UAB University-Wide Interdisciplinary Research Centers. The Center currently has more than 82 appointed faculty members representing 17 departments and 5 schools at UAB and at the Birmingham VA Medical Center
The participating faculty’s research focus includes scientific topics such as molecular biology of the visual system; retinal anatomy, physiology and molecular genetics; central visual system physiology; oculomotor physiology studies of the lacrimal gland, cornea, and tear film, biomechanics of glaucoma; and visual psychophysics as related to diseases such as dry eye, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, and age-related macular degeneration. To facilitate research in these areas, the National Eye Institute/National Institutes of Health provides funding for shared facilities that support the individual members’ research activities. This in turn permits participating faculty to have more cost-effective use of personnel, better space, utilization and increased productivity and funding. These shared facilities are extensively equipped and are managed by experienced and highly trained faculty and staff. For example, the Machine Shop Core facility provides the services of a full-time tool and die engineer offering design and fabrication of electronic and mechanical devices and the repair, maintenance and calibration of electronic equipment. A programmer/systems analyst writes/modifies existing software as needed for the Research Programming & Computational Analysis Core. This core also provides access to equipment such as high-end computers, scanners, and slide makers. The VSRC has also initiated programs that integrate basic discoveries with clinical application (translational research). Because the UAB VSRC includes the largest concentration of basic and clinical vision scientists in the state, the Center serves as a major state and regional resource. Regionally, the VSRC has provided partial support of the Shared Ocular Tissue facility which works closely with the statewide Alabama Eye Bank to supply ocular tissues to UAB investigators and investigators at other institutions. Significant education and outreach is supported by the center, the School of Optometry and the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and all are very active in community outreach, information, referrals, and vision screening programs to extend vision care to all Alabamians. Clinical research efforts in the center have included projects such as the “Correction of Myopia Evaluation Trial” (COMET) initiated by Dr. Wendy Marsh-Tootle in collaboration with scientists at UAB and other institutions. This was a multi-center, multi-year clinical trial evaluating the effects of two optical interventions on myopia progression in children. Following Dr. Wendy Marsh-Tootle's retirement, Katherine K. Weise, OD has assumed leadership of the project. New treatments for myopia may result from these studies. A new Pilot Grant Program provides 1-2 pilot grants of up to $40,000 in most years to encourage investigators in other disciplines to begin vision research and to encourage vision researchers to branch out into new research areas. Another VSRC activity that serves to invigorate the intellectual environment for both faculty and students within the vision community are the VSRC Visiting Scholars Program and Loris and David Rich Lecture Series. These programs bring about 20 internationally recognized vision scientists to UAB every year. Additionally, the Vision Research at UAB seminar series features scientists and support services at UAB.
Graduate training is coordinated by the Center through its support of the Vision Science Graduate Program, which prepares students for careers in basic and clinical research. |
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The VSRC Education and Outreach Module serves to provide community outreach and education for all aspects of vision including public awareness seminars, vision clinics in the Alabama Black Belt Region, research and professional training in sensory impairments, and information and referral to research, treatment, public schools and rehabilitation facilities. |
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