Celebrating 50 Years of Bold Research
Help us ring in 50 years of bold research at our 50th Anniversary Celebration in Washington, D.C. This extraordinary gathering will spotlight exemplary scientists and advocates who are driving the most exciting research to end Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, and glaucoma.
Honoring Excellence in Research Science and Advocacy
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BrightFocus Scientific Impact Award
Gerard D. Schellenberg, PhD
University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
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Helen Keller Prize for Vision Research
Mae Gordon, PhD
Washington University in St. Louis
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Helen Keller Prize for Vision Research
Michael Kass, MD
Washington University in St. Louis
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BrightFocus Community Impact Award
Debra Tann, EdD
Reminiscent
Hear From This Year's Presenting Cocktail Scientists
Four BrightFocus grantees will share their unique approaches to finding cures for Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration, and glaucoma.
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Ganesh Babulal, MSCI, OTD, PhD
Washington University School of Medicine
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Oleg Butovsky, PhD
Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
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Thomas V. Johnson III, MD, PhD
Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University
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Daisy Shu, PhD
The Schepens Eye Research Institute
Special Musical Guest
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Musical Performance by
Megan Hilty
Megan Hilty is probably most recognizable for her portrayal of Ivy Lynn in the NBC Musical Drama “Smash.” Before that, Hilty started her career on Broadway, playing Glinda in “Wicked,” originating the role of Doralee Rhodes in “9 to 5 The Musical,” and Brooke Ashton in “Noises Off,” which earned her a Tony Award Nomination. Other stage credits include Audrey in “Little Shop of Horrors” (Kennedy Center), Annie Oakley in “Annie Get Your Gun” (Encores/NY City Center) and Lorelei Lee in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” (Encores/NY City Center). Her numerous television credits include “Sean Saves The World” with Sean Hayes, “Difficult People,” “Braindead,” “The Good Fight,” playing the iconic Patsy Cline in “Patsy and Loretta” (earning her a Critic’s Choice Award nomination for Best Actress) and Lily in NBC’s “Annie Live!” She is currently filming “The Pradeeps From Pittsburgh” which is set to air on Amazon in early 2024. Megan’s voiceover work spans from audiobooks to kids animated favorites like "TrollsTopia" on Hulu, "TOTS" on Disney Jr, "Centaurworld" on Netflix, "Tinkerbell" on Disney, "Madagascar-A Little Wild" and "It’s Pony!" on Nickelodeon - and even some shows for adults like "Family Guy," "American Dad," "Robot Chicken" and "Tuca & Bertie." Hilty continues to tour her cabaret show with her band, which has been taped for “Live from Lincoln Center” on PBS, and regularly appears with world renowned orchestras including the NY Pops, Boston Pops, and the National Symphony Orchestra.
Fund More Research Breakthroughs
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Get Inspired
For Barbara, who has both macular degeneration and glaucoma, supporting research for a cure is personal.
Latest News
We Gratefully Acknowledge Our
50th Anniversary Sponsors
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Apellis Pharmaceuticals
Stacy Pagos Haller
Glaukos
Iveric Bio
J.P. Morgan Private Bank
Nancy Lynn & James Keach
Perlman & Perlman, LLP
PhRMA
Brian Regan, PhD
REGENXBIO
Sandy Spring Bank
Patricia Stewart, CFP®
Jan Stouffer, PhD
Belgium
Stichting Alzheimer Onderzoek
France
Fondation Vaincre Alzheimer
Germany
Alzheimer Forschung Initiative e.V.
The Netherlands
Alzheimer Nederland