ARVO names four OU faculty members distinguished fellows

By Katie Land, news editor

Four Oakland University faculty members have been named to the inaugural class of distinguished fellows of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO). They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and contributions to the association.

The honorees are Robert Folberg, M.D., dean of the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine; Frank Giblin, professor of biomedical science and director of Oakland’s Eye Research Institute (ERI); Barry Winkler, professor of biomedical science at ERI; and George Williams, clinical professor at ERI. Giblin, Winkler and Williams will play roles in the biomedical sciences department of the new medical school.

Venkat Reddy, co-founder and former director of ERI also is being recognized as a fellow.

“We are very excited to offer this new prestige to our membership. We know that it will galvanize current members and inspire future ones,” said ARVO President Todd P. Margolis, M.D., Ph.D.

The fellows, selected through a rigorous point system, serve as role models and mentors in the vision and ophthalmology field. They have contributed to the advancement of basic and clinical knowledge and vision research and serve as advocates for vision science worldwide, according to ARVO.

ARVO is the largest eye and vision research organization in the world, comprised of roughly 12,500 eye and vision researchers from more than 73 countries, according to the Web site. The association encourages and assists research, training, publication and dissemination of knowledge in vision and ophthalmology.

The ARVO class of fellows will be inducted officially at the association’s annual meeting in May.