Eye researchers receive award

William Dawson, M.S., Ph.D, an emeritus professor of ophthalmology, and Timothy Garrett, Ph.D, director of the General Clinical Research Center Core Laboratory, received a $25,000 North Florida Lions Eye Foundation Research Award in May for their research about age-related macular degeneration. While most Lions Clubs raise funds for eye care, this club is one of a few that donates to research as well. Dawson and Garrett were chosen by the Lions Club for their forward analytical research technique called imaging mass spectrometry, which allows them to study the specific chemicals involved with the disease in the eye. This award will be used to fund equipment, specimens and new research methods. Pictured from left are William Driebe, M.D., chair of ophthalmology; Walt McLanahan, chair of the North Florida Lions Eye Foundation; and Garrett.