Gaining critical knowledge about the science and art
of vision and applying it to the prevention of blindness
Institute News
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COLOR POWER at the Mandelbaum & Albert Family Vision Gallery
Color is a powerful part of our visual perception. Color can draw attention, elicit emotion, and convey meaning. In this exhibit, artists use color in imaginative ways to accomplish these effects. COLOR…
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Thank you for joining us for Vision at the Arboretum!
We hope you enjoyed learning about the wonderful world of birds and their vision as much as we enjoyed hosting it. Over 220 community members attended the lectures and demonstrations, making this the…
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Our 2026 Trout AMD Update is out!
Our 2026 update on age-related macular degeneration research at the McPherson ERI, the Trout AMD Update, is now available for viewing on our website or to download as a PDF. Sponsored by the Trout…
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Alice McPherson Lecture Recording Now Available
Thank you to everyone who attended our 14th Annual Alice McPherson Lecture, as well as our guest lecturer for the event, Dr. Aaron Y. Lee (Arthur W. Stickle Distinguished Professor and Chair…
Research News
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Collaborative Study by MERI Members Published in PNAS
What are ‘ribbons’ doing in your eye?! A recent study by Sinha and Hoon labs uncovers new role(s) of these molecular components that fuel retinal visual processing. Every time we see, the retina must rapidly transform patterns of light into signals that the brain can understand. This process depends on specialized connections between nerve cells called synapses. A recent study by Schultz et al., published in PNAS, focuses on the…
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David Gamm featured on Wisconsin Public Radio
On September 15, 2026, MERI Director of Research David Gamm joined the Lee Rayburn Show on Wisconsin Public Radio to discuss ongoing MERI research and to answer questions from Wisconsin residents about ophthalmological conditions, advances in scientific research at UW, clinical trials, and the future of eye care. 🎧 Listen to the recording of the segment here to learn more about how researchers at UW–Madison are working to advance treatments…
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Discovery opens new path toward restoring vision lost to blindness
McPherson ERI researchers have identified a protein called CD166/ALCAM that allows scientists to identify and purify a critical type of retinal photoreceptor for the first time. The discovery, published in Stem Cell Research and Therapy, overcomes a major obstacle in the development of stem cell-based therapies designed to replace cells lost in retinal disease. You can read the full announcement here. Full publication available here
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MERI Member Curtis Brandt Awarded NIH R01
Congratulations to MERI Member Prof. Curtis Brandt (DOVS), who has been awarded a four-year R01 grant from the National Eye Institute to support his research in preventing herpes-related blindness. HSV-1 corneal infection can lead to loss of sensory nerve axons in the tissue, resulting in neurotrophic keratopathy. There are several negative outcomes to the nerve loss, including failure to heal corneal ulcers, which contribute to vision loss. The goal of…
Upcoming Events
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Upcoming Events
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Oct 23
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Nov 10MERI Monthly Seminar Series – November
Special Seminar: Three 15-minute research talks by our Kenzi Valentyn Award Recipients
3571 WIMR II Directions
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Nov 12Annual Daniel M. Albert Lecture
Speaker: David Huang, MD, PhD Director of Research, Casey Eye Institute; World Family Endowed Chair in Ophthalmic Imaging; Professor of Ophthalmology and Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University
HSLC 1325 Event Page
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Dec 8MERI Monthly Seminar Series – December
1360 Biotech Directions
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Feb 26Annual MERI-at-a-Glance event
DeLuca Forum, WID
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Mar 13
Award Opportunities
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Oct 23
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Nov 1
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Nov 1
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Nov 13
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Nov 20
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Nov 30
Dr. Monroe Trout
Dr. Monroe Eugene Trout, Sr. (1931-2024)
The McPherson ERI notes with sorrow the passing of Dr. Monroe Trout, an Honorary Advisory Board member, supporter, and friend of the Institute since 2013. Alongside his wife Sandra, Dr. Trout has been instrumental in helping the McPherson ERI grow over the past decade, and in giving an outstanding impetus to macular degeneration research at the Institute.
Apart from their steadfast support of vision science and commitment to curing blinding diseases, the philanthropic efforts of Dr. Trout and his wife have had an incalculable impact on people and institutions both within and outside the state of Wisconsin. Their rich legacy of aiding those in need will continue to extend far into the future.
Dr. Trout lived a full, generous, and meaningful life, and will be missed by his McPherson ERI friends and by many others.
Remembering Dr. Alice McPherson
With great sadness, the McPherson ERI notes the passing on January 16th, 2023, of our namesake and co-founder, Dr. Alice R. McPherson. Dr. McPherson’s many remarkable achievements are profiled on our website and are honored in the Spring 2023 issue of our InSights newsletter. Her effects on the McPherson Eye Research Institute and UW–Madison, on many other institutions, and on so many patients and researchers around the world are incalculable.