The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)
announced today that Michael A. Dyer, PhD, has been selected to receive the Association’s 2008
Cogan Award during ARVO’s Annual Meeting in Fort Lauderdale, FL in April 2008.
The Cogan Award recognizes a researcher 40 years of age or younger (at the time of nomination)
who has made important contributions to research in ophthalmology or visual science directly
related to disorders of the human eye or visual system, and who also shows substantial promise
for future research. Dyer was selected to receive the award for his significant and innovative
contributions to the fields of developmental neurobiology, cell cycle regulation, and cancer
genetics.
Dyer is with the Department of Developmental Neurobiology at St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital in Memphis, TN and the Department of Ophthalmology in the Hamilton Eye Institute at
the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. He received his doctoral degree in molecular
and cellular biology from Harvard University in Cambridge, MA. Dyer is the recipient of
numerous honors and awards, including a National Research Service Award, National Eye
Institute (1997-2000); Research to Prevent Blindness Career Development Award (2004-2008);
and was selected as a Pew Scholar in Biomedical Sciences (2004-2008). His most recent article
in Nature was a breakthrough in identifying the second step in retinal tumor growth and
developing novel targeted therapies for this debilitating childhood cancer.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in
finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Founded by late
entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries
with scientific and medical communities around the world. No family ever pays for treatments
not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay. St. Jude is
financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. For more information, please visit
stjude
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
As the flagship statewide academic health system, the UT Health Science Center is focused on a
four-tier mission of education, research, clinical care and public service, all in support of a single
goal: to improve the health of Tennesseans.
Established in 1928, ARVO is a membership organization of more than 11,500 eye and vision researchers from over 70 countries. The
Association encourages and assists its members and others in research, training, publication, and dissemination of knowledge in vision and
ophthalmology. ARVO’s headquarters are located in Rockville, Md. For more information about ARVO, logon to the Association’s Web site,
arvo