MSCHE Self Study April 2021

Clinical Vision Research Center The College established the Clinical Vision Research Center (CVRC) in response to the decision to increase clinical research called for in the 2008 ‐ 12 strategic plan. The CVRC continues as a priority in the Strategic Plan 2018 – 2023 as well. The CVRC is led by a director and assistant director, overseeing three clinical trial coordinators, and approximately 2.6 FTE of clinical faculty time as sub ‐ investigators. The CVRC successfully advanced clinical research at the institution and attracted industry ‐ sponsored and federally funded clinical studies since its creation. In 2018 ‐ 19, the CVRC generated $784,440 in clinical research expenditures and in 2019 ‐ 20 it generated $1,168,008. Notably, the CVRC has provided the College with new opportunities for achieving its mission through the education and scholarly development of clinical faculty; strengthening the research partnership between the College research programs and the University Eye Center; and improving patient care though evidence ‐ based practice. In 2018, the CVRC received a Performance and Quality Award from the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG) for having the highest patient volume and an outstanding quality index. PEDIG is a collaborative network dedicated to facilitating multicenter clinical research in strabismus, amblyopia and other eye disorders that affect children. The network is funded by the National Eye Institute and has more than 100 participating sites with 300+ participating pediatric ophthalmologists and pediatric optometrists in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Translational Research Center In response to public demand for clinical applications of clinical research, the College applied for and received a $750,000 Empire Innovation Grant in 2018 to develop a Center for Translational Research. Identified as a priority in the Strategic Plan 2013 – 2018 , the Center broke ground with remodeling of its cell biology and tissue culture facilities in 2018 ‐ 19 and the strategic hiring of an established molecular genetic vision research faculty member. The Center will be developed by integrating the College’s current research programs with new construction and strategic hiring of established leaders in translational molecular genetic vision research. It will be housed in existing and newly available research space, with an expected completion by 2023 that includes shared core facilities for collaborative projects. The College received a second Empire Innovation Grant in 2019 for $400,000 to recruit a new faculty member performing optics research.

38