Department News
Dr. Mahnaz Shahidi receives a Research to Prevent Blindness Senior Scientific Investigator Award
Mahnaz Shahidi, PhD, of the University of Illinois at Chicago has been granted $75,000 Senior Scientific Investigator Award by Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB). RPB Senior Scientific Investigator Awards support nationally recognized senior scientist conducting eye research at medical institutions in the United States. Dr. Shahidi is one of 164 scientists at 55 institutions so honored since the award was established in 1987.
Dr. Shahidi’s research involves development of novel optical imaging systems for quantitative assessment of the structure and function of the retinal tissue. She has designed sophisticated optical imaging systems that provide quantitative parameters to evaluate and monitor abnormalities in the retinal tissue.
“I am honored to be the recipient of this prestigious award from RPB, which will help me continue my research aimed to benefit the clinical management of patients by expanding knowledge of disease pathogenesis and advancing early diagnosis and treatment of retinal diseases,” says Dr. Shahidi, Professor of Physics in Ophthalmology.
Application of techniques developed in Dr. Shahidi’s laboratory has advanced the tools used by clinicians to diagnose and monitor common eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma. Additionally, the use of her oxygen tension imaging system is expected to significantly improve the ability to understand the role of retinal hypoxia (reduction of oxygen supply to the retina) in vision loss. “Dr. Shahidi has an exceptionally rigorous and outstanding scientific mind, a passion for her research, and an abiding commitment to the fundamental importance of advancing basic vision science, within our department and beyond,” says Dr. Dimitri Azar, Head of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
RPB is the world’s leading voluntary organization supporting eye research. Since it was founded in 1960, RPB has channeled hundreds of millions of dollars to medical institutions for research into the causes, treatment and prevention of blinding eye diseases. For information on RPB, RPB-funded research, eye disorders and the RPB Grants Program, go to www.rpbusa.org.