ARVO Foundation Announces 2025 Collaborative Research Fellowship Recipients
The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Foundation has named the recipients of the 2025 Collaborative Research Fellowship, underscoring the organization’s commitment to advancing vision science through collaborative, cross-institutional research. This year’s cohort brings together researchers from diverse backgrounds to tackle key questions in eye health, from retinal disease to innovative therapeutic approaches.
What the Fellowship Supports
The ARVO Foundation Collaborative Research Fellowship is designed to foster partnerships that combine complementary expertise, resources, and perspectives. Fellows receive support for collaborative projects that push the boundaries of basic and translational vision research. The program emphasizes:
- Interdisciplinary collaboration between clinicians, scientists, and engineers.
- Projects with clear potential for clinical impact and improved patient outcomes.
- Defined milestones and outcomes, including publication, data sharing, and potential for subsequent funding applications.
Meet the 2025 Recipients
Among the 2025 awardees are notable researchers including Amithavikram R. Hathibelagal, PhD, and Saumya Jakati, MD. These researchers were selected for their track record of impactful work and for proposing collaborative projects that bridge laboratory discoveries with clinical application. The full list of recipients spans multiple institutions and specialties within ophthalmology and vision science, reflecting the program’s emphasis on wide-reaching collaboration.
Why these projects matter
The projects supported by the 2025 cohort address some of the most pressing challenges in eye health today. From advancing imaging technologies that detect disease at its earliest stages to developing therapeutic strategies that preserve vision, the fellowship aims to accelerate translational pathways. By enabling teams to work across disciplines, the program fosters innovative approaches that may translate into improved screening, diagnosis, and treatment options for patients worldwide.
What Recipients Can Expect
Selected researchers will receive funding, mentorship, and access to ARVO’s extensive network of clinical and basic science experts. This support is intended to streamline collaboration, enhance data sharing, and help teams achieve tangible milestones within a defined timeframe. Recipients are also encouraged to disseminate findings through ARVO’s channels, contributing to the broader vision science community.
The program reinforces ARVO’s mission to support scientists at various career stages, promoting mentorship and collaboration as engines for scientific progress.
Impact on the Vision Community
Collaborative research programs like this fellowship have a twofold impact. They accelerate the pace of discovery by combining diverse expertise and resources, and they strengthen the translational pipeline—moving ideas from the bench to the bedside. As recipients publish results and establish new collaborations, the broader ophthalmology field benefits from shared knowledge, standardized practices, and innovative approaches to patient care.
Looking Ahead
ARVO continues to monitor the progress of its 2025 Collaborative Research Fellowship recipients and will highlight milestones at conferences and in ARVO publications. The Foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting collaborative science ensures that groundbreaking research gains momentum, ultimately contributing to better vision and quality of life for people around the world.
