Bausch & Lomb funds RIT professorship

May 1

- Fort Lauderdale, FL - The Bausch & Lomb Foundation has pledged $2.5 million to fund the Bausch & Lomb Endowed Chair in Microsystems Engineering, based in Rochester Institute of Technology's (RIT) Kate Gleason College of Engineering.

In addition, the company and RIT will collaborate on the development of several research programs that could involve additional funding of $2.5 million over the next 5 years. The goal of research is to develop potential therapeutic and diagnostic technology to address ocular diseases and conditions that impair vision.

"The endowment of Bausch & Lomb professorship acknowledges the outstanding assets that RIT has already assembled in the field of microsystems engineering," said Bausch & Lomb Chairman and CEO Ronald L. Zarrella. "It recognizes RIT's potential to take these capabilities and resources to national-even global-preeminence in the field of nanotechnology, particularly as it relates to the eye."

Research projects under consideration include advanced microsystems and technologies to diagnose, monitor, and treat eye disease; the development of biodegradable devices for sustained drug delivery to the eye; and accommodating IOLs to provide presbyopic vision correction for cataract surgery patients.

"I am particularly excited about the major impact this partnership will have in creating a key focus area within our PhD program in microsystems engineering," explained Harvey Palmer, engineering dean of RIT. "It will aid the development of microsystems technologies for biomedical applications to enhance the quality of life for future generations."

With the counsel of scientists and researchers from Bausch & Lomb, RIT will begin recruiting a scholar to assume the Bausch & Lomb Chair in Microsystems Engineering. This individual will lead an interdisciplinary team of RIT faculty and students to develop initiatives consistent with the company's research interests.

In other news, Bausch & Lomb recently elected three members to its Board of Directors to serve 1-year terms expiring in 2006. They were Paul A. Friedman, MD, president and CEO of Incyte Corp.; Jonathan S. Linen, vice chairman, American Express Co.; and William H. Waltrip, retired chairman of the board of Technology Solutions Co.

Previous board of directors served 3-year terms. At this latest meeting, Bausch & Lomb changed the term to 1 year. However, four directors elected in 2003 and three directors elected in 2004 will continue to serve their 3-year terms.

For more information, visit the Bausch & Lomb booth (#200, #202).