Vannas Foundation Launched to Promote International, Interdisciplinary Eye Research (article en anglais)

‘Interdisciplinary, international research collaboration can create a better learning world’
 
Helsinki was the location for the launch of the Vannas Fellowship to promote international interdisciplinary eye research.  The Fellowship has been established to celebrate and honour the contributions to science and eye research of Professor Antti Vannas and to recognise his great capacity to stimulate colleagues and researchers alike to seek better ways of working together to improve sight for all people.
 
Antti enjoys a network of research collaborations in Finland, Australia, America and India where his clinical and research skills have allowed him to play a seminal role in advancing corneal and refractive surgery, especially in the development of a refractive implants – a project that won for the Vision CRC the Eureka Royal Societies prize.
 
Antti is a devoted and caring family man.  In his younger days he was a nationally competitive rally driver and passionate sailor at the highest levels.  Antti still sails and is an avid supporter of Finnish sailing teams.
 
Professor Vannas  said at the launch that “I am very honored by the establishment of the Vannas Fellowship and I am pleased that it will support basic eye research. Hopefully it will provide a chance for young researchers to appreciate the immense value of collaborations such as the ones I have enjoyed so much”.
 
The Vannas Fellowship will support researchers, initially from Finland, Australia, India and America and later from other countries across the globe to contribute to advances in eye health and vision care.
 
Meri Vannas, Annti’s daughter, Secretary of the Fellowship committee, who herself worked on exchange as an IP lawyer in Australia said that “We are very proud of the Vannas Fellowship and the opportunity it will create for younger people.” 
 
The response to the Vannas Fellowship has been outstanding with friends of Antti committing over $500,000 to the perpetual trust to be run by the Institute for Eye Research.
 
Scientia Professor Brien Holden of the Institute for Eye Research and a member of the Vannas Fellowship committee chairing the launch of the Fellowship said, “The launch was a truly heartfelt occasion for all.  The generosity of spirit (and of contributions) that Antti had stimulated has been inspirational.” 
 
Professor James O’Donnell a long-time friend of Antti’s from his days as a Hearst Fellow at University of California San Francisco Ophthalmology said “Antti has shown us not only how to really love  research but perhaps even more importantly, the joy of collaboration and friendship”.
 
Professor Debbie Sweeney, CEO of the Vision CRC and the fourth member of the Vannas Fellowship committee said “Antti has been very important to all of us at the Vision CRC and he has made an immense contribution to many of our projects. Hopefully this Fellowship will provide opportunities for many researchers to experience the value of ‘overseas’ interdisciplinary eye research collaboration.”
 
Tax deductible donations can be made out to:
Institute for Eye Research Limited
Address:
PO Box 6327
UNSW  Sydney NSW 1466
Australia
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Institute for Eye Research
Clare Gillis
c.gillis@ier.org.au
www.ier.org.au
 
Source : communiqué de presse