Scientists honored at GRF benefit

San Francisco

-Jeffrey B. Kindler, chief executive officer (CEO) and chairman of the board of Pfizer Inc., received the Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) Catalyst Award at the organization’s annual benefit and celebration in January.

The award recognizes outstanding accomplishments in research and education in support of those affected by glaucoma.

Also at the event, the principal investigators in the Catalyst for a Cure consortium funded by the foundation updated attendees on their latest results. The scientists are David Calkins, PhD, Vanderbilt University; Philip Horner, PhD, University of Washington; Nicholas Marsh-Armstrong, PhD, Johns Hopkins University; and Monica Vetter, PhD, University of Utah.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was the honorary California chairman and Mayor Gavin Newsom was the honorary San Francisco chairman of the event. Co-chairpersons of the event were Nobuko Saito Cleary and Gary Cleary, PharmD, PhD.

“Nationally, there continues to be a marked shortage of funding for the innovative research needed to find a cure for this leading cause of blindness,” said Thomas M. Brunner, president and CEO of the foundation. “We simply must continue to raise the funds necessary to keep up the momentum of this productive research, as well as to provide invaluable educational resources needed to help patients and raise public awareness.”