Newswise — Rockville, Md.—Susan E. Quaggin, MD, FRCP(C) [mentor] and Naoki Kiyota, MD, PhD, are the 2025 recipients of the Dr. David L. Epstein Award, the ARVO Foundation has announced. They will be granted an $100,000 award to support a collaborative project related to glaucoma.
Quaggin and Kiyota explain that glaucoma—one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide—often occurs when the pressure inside the eye, known as intraocular pressure (IOP), becomes too high. "While IOP is important for maintaining the eye's shape, excessive pressure can damage the optic nerve, which is essential for vision," they note. "IOP is regulated by a fluid called aqueous humor, which is produced inside the eye and drained through a structure called Schlemm's canal. If Schlemm's canal does not function properly, this fluid accumulates, raising IOP and increasing the risk of glaucoma."
Quaggin and Kiyota are working on understanding how Schlemm's canal develops and functions. "Specifically, we are investigating two molecules, PIEZO1 and ITGA9, which may play crucial roles in its development and operation," they share. "PIEZO1 acts as a sensor, detecting the pressure or flow of fluid within Schlemm's canal. ITGA9, on the other hand, is a type of integrin that may help cells adjust their shape and structure, enabling the canal to maintain its function." Quaggin and Kiyota hypothesize PIEZO1 and ITGA9 work together to keep Schlemm's canal in the correct shape and size, ensuring proper fluid drainage. To test this, they are using specially designed mouse models and advanced genetic tools to study how these molecules contribute to the canal’s function. "By uncovering the mechanisms that allow Schlemm's canal to function properly, this research could lead to new treatments for glaucoma and help protect the vision of many individuals." they note.
Funded through the ARVO Foundation, the Dr. David L. Epstein Award was created by his family to further his long-standing determination and interest in solving the complex issues of glaucoma through well-conceived and executed scientific research that focuses on finding the causes and new treatments for the disease. It is given annually to a well-established senior investigator with a documented history of conducting eye and vision research in glaucoma and of mentoring clinician-scientists to independent academic and research careers.
Quaggin is the Irving S. Cutter Professor of Medicine at Northwestern University where she serves as chair of the Department of Medicine and director of the Feinberg Cardiovascular Research Institute. Kiyota joined Quaggin’s lab after working as a clinician-scientist at Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science in Japan.
Quaggin shares, "I am incredibly honored to receive the Epstein Award from ARVO [Foundation], which will help advance ongoing work to unravel the molecules needed to protect the eye from glaucoma and to help identify new treatments for patients and, most importantly, to support the additional training of Dr. Naoki Kiyota who is a talented physician-scientist committed to finding a cure for glaucoma."
Kiyota adds, "This award not only provides critical funding for my research but also opens up opportunities to present my work globally. I am tremendously excited by the prospect of future collaborations with researchers and clinicians around the world. This recognition underscores the significance of the glaucoma and Schlemm’s canal research that Dr. Quaggin and I have been pursuing. It serves as both a vital source of encouragement and a major milestone in my career. Moving forward, I will continue to share our findings internationally and strive to develop more effective treatments that can improve the quality of life for patients."
For more information about the Dr. David L. Epstein Award, visit ARVO’s website.
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The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) is the largest eye and vision research organization in the world. Members include approximately 10,000 eye and vision researchers from over 75 countries. ARVO advances research worldwide into understanding the visual system and preventing, treating and curing its disorders. Learn more at ARVO.org.
Established in 2001, the ARVO Foundation for Eye Research raises funds through partnerships, grants and sponsorships to support ARVO’s world-class education and career development resources for eye and vision researchers of all stages of career and education. Learn more at ARVOFoundation.org.
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