Nearly three decades of leadership at the National Vision Research Institute (NVRI) was represented at its 50th anniversary celebrations at the Australian College of Optometry (ACO) in November.
Former directors Professor Robert C Augusteyn (1991 – 2002), Professor Paul Martin (2002 – 2009), and current director Professor Michael Ibbotson, who together represent 29 years of leadership, were joined by past and present researchers, collaborators and supporters, to mark the NVRI’s major milestone.
Established in November 1972, the NVRI is the research arm of the ACO and has been internationally recognised for its research into a broad range of visual topics including quantitative eye charts, developmental disorders of vision, retinal development, visual impairment, lens biochemistry, comparative visual neuroscience, colour vision, understanding the visual brain, prosthetic vision devices, neurotechnology and visual perception.
For some guests attending the 50th anniversary, the NVRI has experienced substantial change since their last visit.
In addition to updates to the labs’ configuration, the institute boasts a growing collection of advanced equipment and has expanded its scope of research topics under the stewardship of Professor Ibbotson (2011 – present).
Associate Professor Lauren Ayton (ACO council member); Professor Paul Martin (former director); Dr Jason Jung (Lions NVRI Vision Fellow) and Professor Ibbotson (director) each addressed the event, highlighting the NVRI’s important position within the vision research world and exceptional offering to early-career researchers.
“Today, the NVRI continues to drive vision research and has expanded to include clinical research in partnership with the Australian College of Optometry (ACO) and industry, working together to develop novel technologies to support those with vision loss,” Ibbotson said.
“Strengthened by other collaborations and exceptional research talent, the NVRI is engaged in truly exciting work, including linking with computer science to really understand how the brain makes its computations.”
Since its inception, philanthropic support has been essential to the NVRI funding model, with notable support from Lions International and individual donors such as the Schultz family.
The NVRI said without this support, it could not achieve its vital vision research.
To support the NVRI’s work, consider becoming a NVRI member or donating at https://bit.ly/3EUSKjB.
NVRI Directors
Since 1978, the NVRI has had seven directors of high international research standing.
- Prof Don Mitchell (1978 – 1980)
- Prof Jack Pettigrew (1980 – 1983)
- Prof AA Hughes (1983 – 1991)
- Prof Robert C Augusteyn (1991 – 2002)
- Prof Paul Martin (2002 – 2009)
- Prof Sarah Hosking (2010 – 2011)
- Prof Michael Ibbotson (2011 – present)
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