The Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB) has officially named Amy Laster, PhD, as the organization's new chief scientific officer (CSO)—6 months following the start of her tenure as interim CSO.
First up: FFB.
The U.S.-based accredited charity is the leading private funder of retinal disease research in the world.
Its mission: Driving research in support of preventions, treatments, and cures for blinding diseases.
By the numbers: FFB has identified +270 genes linked to retinal disease (with a specific focus on inherited retinal diseases [IRDs]) and is responsible for launching 40+ clinical trials investigating potential treatments.
Among its disease targets:
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- Retinitis pigmentosa
- Usher syndrome
- Stargardt disease
- Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA)
Alrighty, now let’s talk about Dr. Laster.
Dr. Laster is a neuroscientist with experience in research on neuroregeneration following acute injury and the causes of neurological monogenic diseases.
Prior to joining the organization, Dr. Laster served as faculty in the Department of Biology at Stevenson University in Maryland—and she currently serves on the executive committees for the:
- Health Research Alliance Board of Directors
- ClinGen Retina Ocular Clinical Domain Working Group
And you mentioned she was already the interim CSO?
Indeed we did (and yes, she was). However, she’s actually a 16-year veteran of FFB and is noted as playing a “key role in advancing science and key funding programs that have transformed ideas into potential treatments for blinding diseases.”
Since her appointment in September 2024: Dr. Laster is credited with spearheading FFB’s new 5-year scientific strategic plan.
About that plan: Focused on “community education,” this involves raising awareness (both internally and externally) of FFB’s science-based initiatives within its retinal disease-targeted research portfolio. Key to this are the following strategies:
- Educating staff and board to strengthen understanding of science initiatives
- Enhancing awareness of the scientific landscape
- Strengthening community education efforts
Gotcha. So what will she be doing moving forward?
According to FFB: Dr. Laster will head up the advancement of 100+ research projects across the globe in support of the organization's focus on identifying treatments and cures for IRDs and dry AMD.
Her thoughts on the matter: “I look forward to working alongside the executive team and board, the scientific advisory board, our research partners, industry, and our dedicated donors to drive innovation and expand our global impact in the fight against blinding diseases.”
Nice! So when is this officially effective?
It already is (March 1).
And what else has FFB been up to as of late?
Looking specifically at IRDs: The organization has been actively involved in encouraging the prioritization of vision-based research.
Most recently: FFB celebrated two decades of its VisionWalk fundraising program, a national initiative that has raised over $71 million to support advancing “pivotal research” for treatments and cures of blinding diseases.
And later this month: FFB will host a free webinar led by eyecare professionals (ECPs) and for ECPs on emerging gene therapies for IRDs—with a special focus on:
- Viral delivery systems
- Surgical techniques
- Current clinical trials and endpoints
- Inflammation management
- Future directions
The event kicks off Thursday, March 13, at 7 pm EST. Register here.