ARVO Fellows are recognized for accomplishments, leadership and contributions to the advancement of vision research and the prevention and cure of disorders of the visual system worldwide, as well as their service as role models and mentors. Aguirre’s research focuses on identifying the genetic causes of inherited blindness, identifying the mechanisms linking mutation to disease and developing treatments.
Aguirre employs phenotype-directed candidate gene analysis, directing a selection of candidate genes that, when mutated, could be expected to result in blindness. His laboratory also analyzes canine pedigree resources to carry out genome wide scans to identify the chromosome that carry inherited blindness. He mostly recently demonstrated that a gene therapy used to restore retinal activity to the blind also restores function to the brain's visual center, a critical component of seeing.
The ARVO fellows will be officially inducted at the association’s annual meeting in May.
On the move: Water quality and antimicrobial resistance testing goes mobile
Penn researchers have developed a mobile field laboratory allowing them to test water quality and track antimicrobial resistance in and around San Cristóbal in the Galápagos.
Penn researchers Vanessa and Alexis North are studying one of the largest collections of Egyptian blue objects ever found in the ancient Near East, shedding new light on how the world’s first synthetic pigment may have traveled far beyond Egypt.
A new role for dental providers? Rethinking where vaccines are given
Vaccinations have traditionally been administered in primary care settings or pharmacies. However, for about a decade, some states have authorized dentists to administer vaccines, and many others did so during the COVID-19 pandemic. The effectiveness of this approach has led some countries and states to expand or consider expanding the role of dental providers in delivering routine vaccines, including those against COVID-19 and the human papillomavirus (HPV), and in providing vaccine education.
Penn student develops a way for computer chips to run more efficiently
Fluid Silicon, a platform from President’s Sustainability Prize winner Nhlanhla Mavuso, allows computer chips to continuously monitor their health and self-tune as their characteristics change. The technology has the potential to reduce energy usage in data centers and improve reliability in mission-critical applications.
