Recognized as 'next-generation researcher' from the world's most authoritative society in the vision and ophthalmology sector
Second Korean to receive this award
First Korean to win the 'Global Ophthalmology Research Award' by the European Society of Retina Specialists last year
[April 13, 2017]
YU School of Medicine Professor Lee Joon-yeop (37, Department of Ophthalmology) was selected as the 2017 'Early Career Clinician-Scientist Research Award' by the US ARVO (The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology).
ARVO is the world's most authoritative academic organization in the ophthalmology and vision sectors that was established in the United States in 1928 for the research, publication of theses, and education in the ophthalmology and vision science sectors. It is the world's largest organization of its kind with over 12,000 ophthalmology and vision science researchers from over 75 countries around the world.
The ARVO 'Early Career Clinician-Scientist Research Award' was enacted in 2006 to encourage the research of young ophthalmology doctors and medical scientists conducting research in the vision science sector. Four to five winners are selected among next-generation researchers with career experience of no more than six years taking into consideration excellence of their studies submitted to the academic conferences, and their research achievements. This year, researchers from the US, Spain and Austria were selected in addition to Professor Lee Joon-yeop.
This is the second time for a Korean to win the award since Professor Jung Hye-won at Konkuk University received the award in 2012. The award ceremony will be held at the '2017 ARVO Annual Meeting' that is scheduled to be held in Baltimore, USA from May 7 to 11.
Professor Lee investigated that the level of retinal ischemia in retinal detachment patients is a major cause and prognostic factor for vision loss, and reexamined the importance of early surgical procedures to cure retinal ischemia. He is scheduled to make a presentation in commemoration of receiving this award at the ARVO Annual Meeting on the theme of this clinical study.
Professor Lee said, "I hope that this study leads to more studies and treatment for retinal detachment patients who are in risk of losing their vision to restore their vision."
Professor Lee also made headlines by being the first Korean researcher to receive the Global Ophthalmology Award Program, Research Award by the European Society of Retina Specialists in 2016 for his basic research on macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
