As part of the Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (AEVR) Emerging Vision Scientists Program, Petr Baranov, MD, PhD, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass. Eye and Ear, met with Congress members and their legislators on September 14, 2016 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC to advocate for vision research.
The major topic for this year’s event was potential treatments for age-related vision disorders. With the aging population leading to significantly more people affected by age-related eye diseases, vision is a high priority for research and clinical care.
Dr. Baranov, along with Alexis G. Malkin, OD, New England College of Medicine, met with Senator Warren’s and Senator Markey’s legislative correspondents to discuss the importance of government-supported research. They also spoke with Congress members and their staff about this subject during a reception organized by AEVR/NAEVR.
Established in 2015, the AEVR Emerging Vision Scientists Program helps scientists to meet with members of Congress. Jason Comander, MD, PhD, and Leo Kim, MD, PhD, were participants in the inaugural year in 2015.