Palo Alto, CA — Stanford’s ophthalmology department now ranks #4 in National Institute of Health (NIH) funding.
Dr. Mahajan M.D, Ph.D., professor and vice chair for research, said, “Our rise can be attributed to the department’s culture of collaboration and mentorship. This has led to highly impactful research that is changing the field of ophthalmology.”
Ophthalmology faculty believe that when one researcher makes a scientific breakthrough, develops a groundbreaking clinical device, or earns a research grant, the whole group benefits. Senior faculty strive to streamline grant writing for junior faculty, ensuring that they have the best shot at getting funded.
Only a fraction of grant applications submitted to the NIH are funded. They are highly competitive because they undergo rigorous expert peer review. When new chair Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg arrived at Stanford some 10 years ago, the department ranked at #39 in NIH funding.
Mahajan said, “Jeff is an extraordinary leader. We have recruited an exceptional group of scientists, engineers, and surgeons who are committed to discovering the underlying causes of eye disease to better predict, diagnose and treat patients. NIH is the primary source of vision research funding and has already saved the sight of millions of Americans.”