32nd Biennial Cornea Conference

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Abstract Funds are requested to support trainee participation at the 32nd Biennial Cornea Conference to be held at Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear on October 21-22, 2022. The program for the conference was developed by the co-chairs, Dr. Ilene Gipson, PhD, Professor Emeritus at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Ula Jurkunas, MD, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Reza Dana, MD, MPH, Claes H. Dohlman Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School, and an organizing committee of eleven experts in the field of Cornea from Harvard, Tufts, and Boston University Medical Schools. The program builds on the success of the previous 31 conferences, first started in the 1960s. Despite advancements in the field, corneal disease and blindness remain common causes of vision loss and impairment worldwide and across all age groups. It is imperative to better understand the mechanisms behind corneal disease development and to develop new methods of diagnosis and treatment. The goals of this conference are to create an opportunity for discussion and for the formation of collaborations aimed at elucidating the mechanisms that underlie the development of various ocular surface and corneal diseases, and to provide trainees in the field an opportunity to present their research and meet leaders in the field. Sessions on the ocular surface, immunologic and microbiologic aspects of corneal disease, as well as discussions on the endothelium and regenerative medicine & transplantation are planned. After receiving positive feedback from the 31st Biennial, an additional panel has been added to the program. Though panelists are still being determined by the committee, panel discussions on areas of greatest unmet need in cornea, controversies in corneal pathobiology, and innovation & new technologies have been planned. A unique feature of this small conference is the ample time allowed for discussion after each speaker presentation, as well as ample time for dedicated poster sessions highlighting trainee research. We anticipate at least 70 poster presentations that will allow trainees the opportunity to present their research to all conference attendees, receive immediate feedback, and engage leading experts in cornea in conversation over their work. As is tradition, the conference honors an accomplished physician scientist and a scientist with the two named lectures. Dr. Stefano Bonini, MD, will give the Claes H. Dohlman Lecture and Dr. Arlene Sharpe MD, PhD, will give the J. Wayne Streilein Lecture. The anticipated attendance for the conference is 250 physicians, scientists, and trainees. We intend to provide travel awards to attract graduate students and fellows and will make every attempt to make the conference free of charge for all trainees.