Zoom-In on Champalimaud: Ana Beatriz Machado

On September 15th 2022, the António Champalimaud Vision Award was attributed to two physician-scientists, both of them ophthalmologists, for their pioneering work in the understanding and treatment of corneal disease. Gerrit Melles from the Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery, and Claes Dohlman, from Mass Eye & Ear and Harvard University, shared the prestigious one million euro award – the former for his innovative surgical methods of corneal transplant, the latter for his advancement of cornea research and the development of an artificial cornea, the “Boston K-Pro”.

Two editions of the European Researchers’ Night will be held at the incredible premises of the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown located in Lisbon.

To reach members of the public from underserved and underprivileged communities, the European Researchers’ Night will be supported by several pre-events and co-created by researchers and members of the public, namely students from the school programmes and artists.

Zoom-In on Champalimaud: Liad Hollender

For many years, corneal injuries or disorders have been one of the leading causes of blindness across the world. The two physician-scientists have decisively changed and accelerated the path to the treatment of these problems. A deeper understanding of the transparent outer layer of the eye, as well as the possibility of ensuring an improved and more cost-effective approach to corneal surgery and transplantation, are essential to tackle this plight.