CTVR Researchers Receive Prestigious Knights Templar Eye Foundation Grants Posted: 2025-04-08 Source: Center for Translational Vision Research News Type: Features & Briefs share The Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. is committed to support research that can help launch the careers of clinical and basic researchers focused on the prevention and cure of potentially blinding diseases in infants and children. Grants supported by the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. are awarded to impact the care of infants, children, and adults. Clinical and basic research on conditions that may be potentially preventable or correctable such as amblyopia, cataract, glaucoma, optic nerve hypoplasia, nystagmus, retinopathy of prematurity, and hereditary diseases that occur at birth or within early childhood, such as retinoblastoma, is encouraged. Proposals for support of basic research on eye and visual system development also are welcome. Each year the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc., invites eligible investigators to submit applications for pediatric ophthalmology research grants. Dr. Balasankara Kaipa was awarded a $90,000 grant entitled: Lipid Nanoparticle-Mediated Antisense Oligonucleotide Therapy for Juvenile Glaucoma. Dr. Rafal Holubowicz was awarded a $90,000 grant entitled: Restoration of MFRP rd6 mutation using prime editor ribonucleoprotein delivery. Dr. Aleksander Tworak was awarded a $90,000 grant entitled: Mer tyrosine kinase: functional study and therapeutic approach evaluation. Dr. Dominik Lewandowski was awarded a $90,000 grant entitled: Identifying new strategies for lowering ceramides in the retina as a potential approach in retinitis pigmentosa and juvenile macular degeneration treatment. Media Contacts Matt Miller Director, Communications and Public Relations mrmille2@uci.edu Michelle Strombeck Manager, Communications and Public Relations 312-498-8208 mstrombe@hs.uci.edu