The Kimberly A. Howes Memorial Postdoctoral Fellowship in Vision Research
Kimberly Howes received her Ph.D. in Cellular and Structural Biology at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio, Texas. In her thesis project, she examined the role of tumor suppressor genes in the development of the eye cancer called retinoblastoma. She continued her retinal studies under the tutelage of Dr. Wolfgang Baehr, where she studied the molecular regulation of photorecovery pathways. She continued to work independently to study retinal aging and activating pathways which predispose individuals to developing dry form age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Her work focused on the role of advanced glycation end products and their receptors as mediators of chronic inflammatory responses in the aging retina. She also worked in collaboration with Dr. Kang Zhang on retinal neovascular disorders such as retinopathy of prematurity, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and choroidal neovascularization occurring in the wet form of AMD.
Education: Ph.D., University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio
Academic Appointments: Research Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences—University of Utah School of Medicine
Notice of Dr. Howe's passing
Our friend and colleague Kimberly Howes lost her courageous battle with cancer on January 6, 2007. Kim's generosity to all who had the pleasure in sharing her day to day life will always be remembered. Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with Kim's husband and family at this difficult time. We hope they will know that in her short life, Kim had already made important contributions to the understanding and future treatment of blinding eye diseases.
Dr. Howes was the first Research Assistant Professor appointed by the Department of Ophthalmology after completing her postdoctoral training with Wolfgang Baehr.
Moran Research Director Dr. Robert Marc, said this about Dr. Howes: "Kim was well on the way to an independent career in AMD research and her loss is a tragedy for both the Moran family and the national vision community. Kim will be remembered especially for her Texas charm, congeniality and collegiality, and willingness to share ideas. In a scientific world often beset by hostile competition, she was an island of refreshment and ease. I am personally grieved to have lost such a friend."
The Kimberly A. Howes Memorial Postdoctoral Fellowship in Vision Research
The Howes Fellowship has been established in memory of the late Kimberly Howes, Research Assistant Professor at the Moran Eye Center. Kim exemplified the best attributes of a biomedical professional: scholarship, technical excellence, passion and compassion. She had just begun a great upward curve in her research when she lost a valiant battle with cancer. In her honor, the Moran Eye Center established the Howes Fellowship to support the early professional careers of postdoctoral vision scientists. After receiving their PhD degrees, all scientists must undergo a "postdoctoral" apprenticeship where they enhance their skills and learn principles of research management and grantsmanship, while developing an individual research program. This is a vulnerable period and resources are often limited for them.
The Howes Fellowship is designed to provide 2 years of support to a selected fellow in terms of travel funds for scientific meetings, technical equipment and special supplies for the fellow's research, funds for membership in scientific organizations and access to scientific journals. These activities are powerful aids to career development, but are usually difficult to obtain. The Howes Fellowship is designed to offer the Fellow greater scientific independence. Only the Fellow will determine how the funds are expended.
The advisory board for fellow selection includes:
Dr. Charles H. Hensel, Myriad Genetics
Dr. Robert E. Marc, Director of Research, Moran Eye Center
Dr. Paul Bernstein, Assoc Director of Research, Moran Eye Center
Dr. Wolfgang Baehr, Tuck Professor of Ophthalmology, Moran Eye Center
Ex Officio
Dr. Randall J. Olson, Chair and Moran Presidential Professor, Moran Eye Center
Brent Price, CFO, Moran Eye Center
One candidate will be selected from postdoctoral fellows serving at the Moran Eye Center every two years beginning in Autumn 2007.
The annual funding will be about $5,000.
Give to the Kimberly A. Howes Memorial Postdoctoral Fellowship in Vision Research.