November 4, 2026

Alcon, the global leader in eye care dedicated to helping people see brilliantly, today announced the 2026 recipients of the Alcon Research Institute (ARI) Senior Investigator and Early Investigator Grants. Now in its 45th year, ARI reflects Alcon’s longstanding commitment to external innovation and advancing ophthalmic research around the world.

“Since 1981, the Alcon Research Institute has supported external researchers’ innovative approaches to the study of ocular diseases,” said Franck Leveiller, Chief Scientific Officer and Senior Vice President, Head of Global Research and Development, Alcon. “This year’s cohort of grant recipients are all outstanding researchers whose creative approaches to vision research may lead to transformative technologies that shape the future of eye care.”

This year’s recognized researchers include:

• Senior Investigator: Ajay Kuriyan, MD, MS, Wills Eye Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University, to execute his proposal titled, “Targeting Myofibroblasts and Their Progenitors to Prevent Retinal Detachment Secondary to Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy.”
• Senior Investigator: Donald Miller, PhD, Indiana University School of Optometry, to execute his proposal titled, “Direct, Cellular-Level Detection of Glaucoma Progression Using Adaptive Optics OCT and Microperimetry.”
• Early Investigator: Laura Campello, PhD, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, to execute her proposal titled, “Somatic Mutations in Retinal Aging: A Systems-Level Approach to Biomarker Discovery.”
• Early Investigator: Parisa Emami, MD, MPH, University of California, Davis, to execute her proposal titled, “Dye-Free ‘Virtual Angiogram’ for Quantifying Retinal Inflammation Using Multimodal Imaging and Artificial Intelligence.”
• Early Investigator: Graham S. Erwin, PhD, Baylor College of Medicine, to execute his proposal titled, “Patient-Derived Models of Corneal Endothelial Dystrophy.”
• Early Investigator: Luciano C. Greig, MD, PhD, University of California, San Francisco, to execute his proposal titled, “Gene Regulatory Networks Controlling Retinal Ganglion Cell Development and Regeneration in Mice.”
• Early Investigator: Guanghan Meng, PhD, University of California, Berkeley, to execute her proposal titled, “Defining Early Functional Vascular Biomarkers of Glaucoma Using High Speed Two-Photon Retinal Imaging.” 
• Early Investigator: Nita G. Valikodath, MD, MS, University of Michigan, to execute her proposal titled, “A Child-Friendly, Motion-Tolerant Robotic OCT System for Pediatric Retinal Imaging.”

“At the Alcon Research Institute, we are dedicated to advancing vision science through innovative research and scientific collaboration. We congratulate this year’s grant recipients and look forward to the insights their work will bring to our understanding of ocular diseases,” said Allen C. Ho, MD, ARI Chairman, Professor of Ophthalmology at Thomas Jefferson University and Director of Retina Research at Wills Eye Hospital. “As their work begins, we also invite researchers to apply for our 2027 grant program. The Scientific Selection Committee looks forward to reviewing unique approaches to broadening vision research.”

The 2027 Alcon Research Institute Grant Award Program submission portal is now open and accepting applicants. Researchers are invited to review requirements and submit research proposals ahead of the deadline on February 15, 2027. Grant recipients are leading vision science professionals who have been selected based on their contributions to the field and potential for further breakthroughs. Winners will be announced in Summer 2027. Please visit Alcon Research Institute to learn more.

About Alcon Research Institute

Since 1981, the Alcon Research Institute has recognized exceptional individuals who make significant contributions to vision science through research grants and symposiums that are attended by leading members of the eye research community. 
 

About Alcon

Alcon helps people see brilliantly. As the global leader in eye care with a heritage spanning over 75 years, we offer the broadest portfolio of products to enhance sight and improve people’s lives. Our Surgical and Vision Care products touch the lives of more than 260 million people in over 140 countries and territories each year living with conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases and refractive errors. Our more than 25,000 associates are enhancing the quality of life through innovative products, partnerships with Eye Care Professionals and programs that advance access to quality eye care. Learn more at www.alcon.com.

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Steven Smith
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