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 

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. 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 

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

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

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

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

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

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 due to Dr. Smith's unique and seminal contributions as a clinical neuro-ophthalmologist and as the founding editor of the journal.

 AWARD

• $1,000 stipend

2023 Recipient
Merrick S. Reynolds, MS - "Sharp Edge Eye Syndrome: A Case Report and Survey of Self-Identified Individuals”

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.

2022 Recipient
Edmond J. FitzGibbon, MD

2023 Recipient
Nancy Lombardo, MLS

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

2023 Recipients
Meagan Seay, DO
Billi Wallace, MD

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.  

2023 Recipient
Grant T. Liu, MD - Pediatric Pseudotumor Cerebri Syndrome: A Journey

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).

2022 Recipient
Steven E. Feldon, MD - The Superior Colliculus: A Path to Neuro-Ophthalmology

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.