Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology awards to recognize research

Akey role of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) in the eye and vision research community is to recognize excellence. The association is very pleased to offer several awards that expand its opportunities for doing just that.

Dr. Camras was recognized widely for developing the prostaglandin analogues for the treatment of glaucoma. He also was highly respected for his kindness, generosity, and personal interest in furthering the careers of young scientists.

The deadline for nominations is Feb. 1, 2010. Go to http://www.arvofoundation.org/pfizercamrasawards for details.

• 2011 ARVO-AFER/Merck Innovative Ophthalmology Research Award (IORA). Now in its second cycle, the ARVO-AFER/Merck IORA encourages young researchers to undertake investigative work in critical areas of ophthalmology that one day may lead to meaningful improvements to patients' lives.

Four awards in two topic categories will be presented. The awards are worth a total of $70,000 per cycle. The 2011 topics are 1) stem cell applications to eye disease and 2) immunology and insight into eye disease.

The application period for the 2011 awards-to be announced at the organization's 2011 annual meeting in Fort Lauderdale-will be Jan. 15 through Aug. 31, 2010.

Go to http://www.arvo.org/merck-iora for more information.

• 2011 ARVO annual awards. Nominations also are open for ARVO's prestigious annual awards: the Proctor Medal, the Friedenwald Award, the Weisenfeld Award, the Cogan Award, Special Recognition Award, and the Distinguished Service Awards.

Go to http://www.arvo.org/awards for details of each award, past recipients, and nomination and selection procedures.

eLearning offers CME

In other news from ARVO, the association has launched its new eLearning Center at http://www.arvo.org/elearning a portal to its educational resources. Users can view a variety of materials, including lectures and symposia from past ARVO annual meetings.

In addition, the site will offer opportunities to earn continuing medical education (CME) credits as well as a system for users to track CME.

Users can view synchronized presentations (PowerPoint) with audio and video from past meetings, including the award lectures from the 2007, 2008, and 2009 ARVO annual meetings.

Users also can access material from ARVO's clinical trials education series (CTES) and earn CME credits in the process.

The eLearning Center is open to anyone who wishes to use it. ARVO's goal is to create a one-stop shop for the educational needs of the eye and vision science community.

Users will be required to register and create a username and password that will allow them into the system at any time to update/print certificates and to keep track of ARVO activities.

ARVO has set up a system that will help professionals keep track of CME credits they have earned through the association. Certificates are available at their disposal and can be printed and updated anywhere the Internet is available.

In addition, certificates of attendance for ARVO events are available at the eLearning Center. Access to certificates and printing them are complimentary.

Users can view most materials at the eLearning Center for free. There are a few exceptions, such as the CTES. For a modest fee, a user can purchase the entire clinical trials course or a specific session of the course in which he or she is interested.

The full course covers clinical trial methodology, analysis, and management. It is tailored specifically for eye and vision researchers. Go to http://www.arvo.org/ctes for more information.

Joanne Olson is assistant director of marketing and communications for the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. Readers may contact her at 240/221-2923 or jolson@arvo.org
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