For Immediate Release
The EBAA Targeted Research Grant supports exploring questions surrounding SARS-CoV-2 and COVID19, and how they may affect ocular tissue recovery and transplantation.
Washington, D.C., May 22, 2020 – The Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) announced two awardees for its Targeted Research Grants to fund investigations into SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 and their impact on eye banking and cornea transplantation.
The two grant recipients are:
- Shahzad Mian, MD, University of Michigan, Eversight
Analyzing effect of COVID-19 pandemic on donor pool, infiltration of SARS-CoV-2 in ocular tissues and evaluating effectiveness of Povidone Iodine to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 - Joshua Hou, MD, Lions Gift of Sight
Can SARS-CoV-2 be transmitted through donor corneal tissue? An in vitro infection study
In response to the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, EBAA and its member eye banks mobilized
quickly to answer urgent questions and concerns surrounding transmission of the virus through corneal donation and recovery.
“EBAA-member eye banks have always been the source of innovation in corneal donation and
transplantation,” said EBAA President and CEO, Kevin Corcoran. “It’s only fitting that the association act immediately to take the lead in answering essential questions about COVID-19.”
The grant supplies each project with $7,500 to support research. The findings will be publicly shared upon completion.