During the College’s 26th Annual Phi Zeta Research Day, the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine presented Dr. András Komáromy, associate professor of Comparative Ophthalmology in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, with the 2016 Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence.

The nationally recognized award acknowledges researchers whose innovative studies have advanced the scientific standing of veterinary medicine. Each year, one faculty member at each veterinary school is chosen by a committee of their colleagues to receive this honor based on the work that they have done in the past three years at their institution. Dr. Komáromy was chosen for his contributions to the understanding and treatment of inherited retinal and optic nerve diseases in both animals and humans.

“Dr. Komáromy’s research has had a great impact on both animal and human health,” said Dr. Vilma Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan, associate dean for Research and Graduate Studies. “Some of the ocular gene therapy treatments he has helped develop have led to clinical trials in human patients.”

Inherited retinal diseases and glaucoma are among the leading causes of incurable vision loss in humans and dogs. Dr. Komáromy and his team study the cellular and molecular disease mechanisms in an attempt to develop new treatment strategies—including gene therapy—to restore visual function.

“It is an honor to be chosen by my colleagues for this award,” Dr. Komáromy said. “I would like to thank my team for their continued support and outstanding work. Without them, this research would not be possible.”