Pilot Research Grant Program

NANOS recognizes the need to stimulate investigator-initiated research programs in Neuro-Ophthalmology. The NANOS Pilot Research Grant Program provides a one-year, non-renewable source of funding to help principal investigators generate preliminary data that will lead to additional funding from other national agencies or foundations. Priority is given towards research that will provide preliminary data for future substantial grant applications. In this spirit, new or innovative projects will be supported but should have a sound medical/scientific justification. A scientific panel will review the applications, and the final award will be subject to approval by the NANOS Board.

AWARD

• $25,000 non-renewable grant 

2024 Recipients
Nitza Goldenberg-Cohen - Non-Invasive Identification of Alzheimer's Disease Through Ocular Analysis Utilizing Raman Spectroscopy

2023 Recipients
Melinda Chang, MD - Assessing lateral cortical inhibition in children with cortical visual impairment using visual evoked potentials

Sidney Gospe III, MD, PhD - Reducing neuro-inflammation in a mouse model of mitochondrial optic neuropathy

Click here to view past Pilot Research Grant Recipients

Dr. Ivy Dreizin Leadership Development Grant

NANOS recognizes the need to stimulate leadership development in diverse members of its community. The Dr. Ivy Dreizin Leadership Development Grant provides a one-time, non-renewable source of funding to support leadership development for a NANOS member. Candidates at all stages of their careers are encouraged to apply. We particularly welcome applications from those in their mid-careers, to accelerate career advancement. Priority will be given to those who have been actively involved in the Women in Neuro-Ophthalmology Committee and NANOS. Nominees and alternates will be proposed by the Women in Neuro-Ophthalmology Steering Committee, subject to approval by the NANOS Board of Directors. Click here for specific award details.

AWARD

• $3,000 non-renewable grant 

2024 Recipient
Nurhan Torun, MD, FRCS(C)

2023 Recipient
Amanda Henderson, MD

Click here to view past Dr. Ivy Dreizin Leadership Development Grant Recipients

The Thomas and Susan Carlow Young Investigator Award

This award was established to encourage and recognize basic or clinical research in neuro-ophthalmology by a NANOS candidate or active member. The originality, scientific merit and neuro-ophthalmic interest of a developing investigator’s total body of work combined with a representative new research manuscript will be considered as criteria to determine the award recipient. The award is selected by the Research Committee during the Annual Meeting and need not be given annually. It is not open to NANOS Fellows.

AWARD

• $1,000 stipend and NANOS meeting registration

2024 Recipient
Benson Chen, MBChB, MSc, FRACP - "Vision-Related Quality of Life in LHON Patients Treated with Lenadogene Nolparvovec Gene Therapy: Analysis of the VFQ-25 using Rasch Measurement Theory"

2021 Recipient
Eric Gaier, MD, PhD - “Digital Therapeutic Improves Visual Acuity and Encourages High Adherence in Amblyopic Children”

Click here to view past The Thomas and Susan Carlow Young Investigator Award Recipients

James A. Sharpe Best Abstract Award by a Fellow

This award recognizes the best poster or platform presentation by a fellow. The awardee receives a certificate and a stipend. In 2004 this program was expanded to recognize medical students, residents and fellows with separate awards.

AWARD

• $1,000 stipend and a certificate

2024 Recipient
Maximilian Friedrich, MD - Curiouser and Curiouser: A Distributed Brain Network Underlying Alice in Wonderland Syndrome

2023 Recipient
Jenny Hepschke, BSc(Med), MBBS, DM - Resting state functional connectivity analysis using Magnetoencephalography (MEG) differs between Visual Snow patients and controls

Click here to view past Best Abstract Award Recipients

Best Abstract by a Resident Award

This award recognizes the best poster or platform presentation by a resident. The awardee receives a certificate and a stipend. 

AWARD

• $1,000 stipend and a certificate

2024 Recipient
Amy (Mung Yan) Lin - Emergency Department (ED) Non-Mydriatic Fundus Photography Expediates Care for Patients Referred For “Papilledema"

2023 Recipient
Kevin Zhang, BS, MS, MD, PhD - Elevated Intracranial Pressures And Papilledema In A Mouse Model Of Glucocorticoid Induced Adrenal Insufficiency

Click here to view past Best Abstract Award Recipients

Best Abstract by a Medical Student 

This award recognizes the best poster or platform presentation by a resident. The awardee receives a certificate and a stipend. 

AWARD

• $750 stipend and a certificate

2024 Recipient
Olivia Grech - Raised Intracranial Pressure Alters Cranial Nociception Which Can Be Rescued by Glucagon Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonism and CGRP Antagonism In Vivo

2023 Recipient
Timothy Kim, JD, BA - In Vivo Application of Electric Fields Collaborate with rRHEB to Direct Optic Nerve Regeneration

Click here to view past Best Abstract Award Recipients

Best Frank B. Walsh Session Paper Presentation by a Fellow Award

This award recognizes the best Walsh Session Paper Presentation by a fellow. 

AWARD

• $1,000 stipend and a certificate

2024 Recipient
Amalie Chen, MD - Headache and Visual Deficits: Ironing Out the Details

2023 Recipient
Carolyne Riehle, DO - NMO or NOT NMO, that is the question

Click here to view past Best Frank B. Walsh Session Paper Presentation by a Fellow Recipients

J. Lawton Smith Award

This award is named in honor of Dr. Smith’s unique and seminal contributions as a clinical neuro-ophthalmologist and as the founding editor of the journal. All original contributions published in the JNO from the calendar year preceding the NANOS Annual Meeting are automatically considered.

 AWARD

• $1,000 stipend

2024 Recipient
Francisco Sanchez, M.D. - "Transient Bilateral Central Scotoma on Awakening: A distinct phenomenon”

Click here to view past J. Lawton Smith Award Recipients

Thomas Carlow Distinguished Service Award

This award is NANOS's highest honor. The award is given at the discretion of the Executive Board to those who have provided a sustained and substantial service to the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society. It is named after, and honors, the NANOS Founder, Thomas Carlow, who contributed an immeasurable amount of his time and energy founding and then nurturing NANOS.

2023 Recipient
Nancy Lombardo, MLS

2022 Recipient
Edmond J. FitzGibbon, MD

Click here to view past Thomas Carlow Distinguished Service Award Recipients

Merit Award

The NANOS Merit Award recognizes NANOS members who have made extraordinary contributions of time, energy, and resources to NANOS for the betterment of the organization.

NOMINATE A VOLUNTEER

2024 Recipients
Steven R. Hamilton, M.D.
Devin D. Mackay, M.D.
Clare L. Fraser, M.D.
Courtney E. Francis, M.D.

Click here to view past NANOS Merit Award Recipients

Daniel M. Jacobson Memorial Lecture Award

The Jacobson Lecture honors the memory and legacy of our colleague Daniel M. Jacobson, MD (1956-2003).  Dan was an outstanding teacher and brilliant clinician with an inquiring mind.  

2024 Recipient
Valerie Purvin, MD - Moving from Not Knowing to Knowing

Click here to view past Daniel M. Jacobson Memorial Lecture Award Recipients

William F. Hoyt Lecture at the AAO Annual Meeting

Launched in 2001, the William F. Hoyt Lecture, the only named lecture in neuro-ophthalmology at the AAO Annual Meeting, takes place during the symposia co-sponsored by the North American Neuro-Ophthalmological Society (NANOS) at the Academy's Annual Meeting (AAO).

2024 Recipient
Randy H. Kardon, MD, PHD - Ophthalmology in the Blink of an Eye

2023 Recipient
Steven Galetta, MD - Optic Neuritis and MS: Friend or Foe?

Click here to view past William F. Hoyt Lecture at the AAO Annual Meeting Recipients

AAO reference link

NEW! Neuro-Ophthalmology Champion Award

The Neuro-Ophthalmology Champion Award recognizes non-Neuro-Ophthalmologists who have contributed to the mission of NANOS and go above and beyond to advance the field of Neuro-Ophthalmology via research, clinical, patient advocacy or other work that have benefited NANOS and its members.

2022 Recipient
Lissa Poincenot, MBA

Click here to view all Neuro-Ophthalmology Champion Award recipients.