About the Fellowship
Then…
In July 2006 the Vannas Fellowship was launched to promote international interdisciplinary eye research. The Fellowship was established to celebrate and honour the contributions of Professor Antti Vannas to science and eye research and to recognise his great capacity to stimulate colleagues and researchers alike to seek better ways of working together to improve sight for all people.
As one of the world’s most experienced corneal surgeons, Antti’s research included myopia, refractive correction, corneal physiology and development of new vision correction methods.
Through his outstanding work and love for life he developed a network of research collaborations in Finland, Australia, USA and India. Antti played a key role in advancing corneal and refractive surgery, corneal implantation and the understanding of ocular inflammation, and inspired an enormous number of people to continue towards better and permanent solutions to myopia and to make vision accessible throughout the world.
At the launch of the fellowship in Helsinki Professor Vannas said that “I am very honored by the establishment of the Vannas Fellowship and I am pleased that it will support basic eye research. Hopefully it will provide a chance for young researchers to appreciate the immense value of collaborations such as the ones I have enjoyed so much”. Sadly, in December 2006 Antti lost his battle with cancer. He was however able to see the first recipient of the Fellowship at a moving ceremony held in his home in November.
The fellowship medal was awarded by Professor Brien Holden, of the Institute for Eye Research (IER) and CEO of the Vision CRC on behalf of fellow Trustees of the Vannas Foundation; Professor James O’Donnell, formerly of UCSF, Meri Vannas and Professor Deborah Sweeney of the Vision CRC, to Jukka Moilanen. Jukka is a scientist and Ophthalmologist at Helsinki University Eye Hospital who worked together with Antti on a number of projects focusing on the surgical correction of vision.
And now…
With the anniversary of Antti’s death on December 14, the Fellowship will now commence in earnest. Jukka will arrive this month to take up his Fellowship at the Vision Cooperative Research Centre in Sydney, continuing Antti’s work on corneal onlay and also with dynamic vision projects.
