The Department of Ophthalmology takes immense pride in announcing that three of our faculty members have been honored with the prestigious Helen Keller Prize for Vision Research. This accolade, bestowed by the Helen Keller Foundation in collaboration with the BrightFocus Foundation, recognizes individuals whose research has significantly advanced the field of vision science—embodying Helen Keller's lifelong mission to eliminate preventable blindness.
The late Samuel G. Jacobson, MD, PhD; Jean Bennett, MD, PhD; and Albert M. Maguire, MD—all from the Department of Ophthalmology—have been named the 2023 Helen Keller Laureates alongside Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD, from Penn’s School of Veterinary Medicine, and T. Michael Redmond, PhD, from the National Institute of Health. Their incredible scientific contributions were celebrated at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology in New Orleans, marking a historic moment for Penn and the broader vision science community.
The late Dr. Jacobson, remembered as the William C. Frayer Professor Emeritus of Ophthalmology and the founding director of Penn’s Center for Hereditary Retinal Degenerations, left a profound mark on the field. His pioneering work in developing gene and RNA therapies for various forms of retinitis pigmentosa and other retinal diseases has paved the way for future breakthroughs. Jacobson's legacy continues to inspire our department and the vision research community at large.
Jean Bennett, MD, PhD, the F.M. Kirby Emeritus Professor of Ophthalmology and Cell and Developmental Biology, is celebrated for her groundbreaking advancements in gene therapy aimed at restoring sight in the blind. Bennett's work, including the development of Luxturna—the first FDA-approved in vivo gene therapy for Leber congenital amaurosis—highlights the Department's commitment to transforming lives through science and gene therapy.
Albert M. Maguire, the F.M. Kirby Professor of Molecular Ophthalmology, was instrumental in the surgical management of the gene therapy trials, contributing to the development of Luxturna.
To learn more about the contributions of our faculty and their impact on vision science, please visit the Helen Keller Foundation and BrightFocus Foundation websites.
by Maressa Park