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SEI celebrates 25 years of breakthroughs by Cindy Abole Public Relations The afternoon of Sept. 10, 1976, was a time of excitement and celebration. A crowd of MUSC personnel, community supporters and the public gathered for the dedication of the Albert Florens Storm Eye Institute (SEI) as the state’s new eye facility for patients needing specialized vision care.  A quarter century later, that level of dedicated leadership, support from faculty and MUSC administration and the tricounty community has led SEI to progressive strides in eye research.   Today, SEI is recognized as one of the nation’s leading eye care facilities. Vision research at MUSC ranks within the top quartile in NIH funding for medical schools in the U.S., with the entire basic research faculty at SEI funded through the National Eye Institute. The SEI also receives substantial funding from corporate and foundation enterprises.  But the growth in research goes beyond just increases in funding dollars. It salutes the efforts that recognize the balance of teamwork reaching beyond the talents of scientists and clinicians. It includes support from SEI's administrative staff, a sustained network of organizations and corporate friends, and a shared mission for excellence in vision research and quality patient care. This ranking is especially pleasing to Craig Crosson, Ph.D., and his SEI colleagues. In Crosson’ s dual role as director of Ophthalmology Research and director of the Ola B. Williams Therapeutic Development Center for Glaucoma Research established in 1998, he has helped to guide South Carolina’s vision research to newer levels.  Crosson credits these accomplishments to increased departmental support for research, faculty recruitment and the successful efforts of campus collaborations with colleagues and other departments.  “With so many opportunities that exist today, it is a great time for research in ophthalmology,” said Crosson.  New faculty members like Baerbel Rohrer, Ph.D., and Masahiro Kono, Ph.D., successfully obtained first-time NIH funding in their respective study areas of neuroscience and retinal research. Their efforts, combined with a balanced mix of seasoned faculty and top post-doctoral fellows provide a special opportunity for successful collaboration by biochemists, molecular biologists, physiologists and other specialists.  With its wide potential for vision research, SEI has chosen to focus on three specific areas—retina, cataract/lens and glaucoma research.  “Our research growth has been phenomenal,” said Ed Wilson, M.D., SEI chairman and the Pierre G. Jenkins professor of ophthalmology. “I have to give credit to Dr. Craig Crosson and his team for attaining the current level of success through creative mentoring with junior and senior researchers and striving to open doors for productive collaboration.”  As the SEI faculty continues to grow in these areas, so have opportunities for improved productivity, additional grant support, and the chance to expand into new areas of study. For the past three years, SEI has tried to identify individuals who will complement their programs and specific areas of our research.  “We realized that we could not cover every aspect of ophthalmology research, but we knew we had a chance to be well-known and funded in focused research areas,” Crosson said. “Having this team approach has increased our chances for success. As the numbers show, our formula has worked so far.” Beyond their research core SEI is now looking to expand into other study areas like corneal research and proteomics—the study of basic protein structure using tools like mass spectrometry and crystallography.   “The questions in vision research have become so complex that we need to draw more on collaborative expertise to answer basic questions, plus remain competitive in our work,” Crosson said. “To me, that’s the key.”  But not all of SEI’s vision research is exclusive to ophthalmology. Pharmacology researchers like Kevin Schey, Ph.D., and Dan Knapp, Ph.D., are studying the etiology of cataracts and the role of rhodopsin in phototrans-duction. Other studies include retinal research by Wesley Corson, Ph.D., in pathology, and studies on diabetic retinopathy by Timothy Lyons, M.D., in medicine. Like all research, a major factor affecting progress and endurance is technology. Fortunately, Crosson and other faculty members have worked closely with the SEI Development Office to communicate their research needs to donors and foundations. This partnership has provided research teams with state-of-the-art equipment for increased productivity, and has been used as an effective recruitment tool to attract talented faculty and key personnel, as SEI builds its research.  An example of one successful partnership is between SEI and the South Carolina Lions who annually fund eye research projects at the SEI. It’s these stories of partnership and potential that motivate Ellen Hamrick, director of Development for Ophthalmology, to travel around the state and share news with Lions Club chapters about the potentials for vision research here in South Carolina. “We want all Lions Club members to know that their 'investment' is making an impact,” Hamrick said. SEI Development has recognized the potential of the research program at SEI in much the same way that the NIH, corporation and foundations have supported the ongoing research. So where does Crosson see SEI research in the next 25 years?  Scientifically, Crosson foresees that improvements in the basic understanding of physiologic, pathologic and molecular events associated with ocular diseases will shift the practice of ophthalmology from treating symptoms to providing cures for a number of blinding diseases. This shift also increases the need for more multidisciplinary collaborations with specialists throughout the MUSC campus, and at other institutions.  He reminds us that “ophthalmic research impacts a number of areas beyond the eye, such as research in the brain, connective tissue, and cancer.” Crosson and other colleagues recognize the value and importance of partnerships and outside funding support from corporate and auxiliary groups. Strategies for successful growth in research will continue to be a challenge for SEI and MUSC. Ethiopian fellow opens eyes to new experiences For the past year, Ethiopian-born Abonesh-Girma Muane, M.D., has been gleaning new practice skills and learning techniques to prevent serious eye disorders and treat disease that threaten to strike Ethiopian children almost a half a world away.  As a general ophthalmologist, Abonesh has seen her share of childhood blindness due to infections, cataracts, trauma and other vision problems among African patients.  This week, she will complete her training under the wing of Storm Eye Institute (SEI) chairman Ed Wilson, M.D., colleagues and researchers as part of an internationally-sponsored training program sponsored by the International Eye Foundation and ORBIS, a  humanitarian organization dedicated to improve vision and provide quality eyecare. “I really learned a lot,” said Abonesh of her experience, which was similar to a clinical fellowship program in scope. “SEI has been a great place to learn new information, skills and techniques relating to the practice of eye care.” Abonesh is the first ORBIS-sponsored fellow to collaborate with SEI on this level. SEI is a regular host of international specialists who have improved their expertise in corneal and cataract studies, ophthalmology research and other program areas. Since 1997, ORBIS has created more than 440 successful programs in 80 countries. Part of the program provides a year-long fellowship in hospital-based training. “Abonesh was chosen by her colleagues for this fellowship experience because of her knowledge, skills and leadership,” said Wilson. “She will change the future for many thousands of African children. Our goal is to teach the teachers, a gift that multiplies as time passes.” SEI's faculty exchange program, with Addis Ababa University, curriculum development and equipment acquisition will continue for at least three years. Four SEI faculty have already traveled to Ethiopia for hands-on teaching and e-consultation will help sustain the relationships, according to Wilson. Abonesh is among a minority of ophthalmologists in her smaller-than-Texas-sized  nation. In a country where roughly half of Ethiopia's 65 million people are children, many suffer from childhood-related diseases that can be helped by proper medical care, disease prevention and improved socioeconomic standards. That's where programs like ORBIS have helped in the area of vision care.  Originally from the Ethiopian capitol of Addis Ababa, Abonesh is a graduate of  Gondar College of Medical Science.  She received her ophthalmology training at Addis Ababa University Medical Faculty and worked previously in a government hospital before participating in the ORBIS fellowship. Like all newcomers who are far away from their homeland, Abonesh learned to adjust to the differences of American culture and everyday life in the Holy City. With assistance from SEI sponsors, Abonesh got help and guidance from area resources like MUSC's Office of International Programs and Services who helped introduce her to other international students and professionals already settled in the Lowcountry.  “The experience was not only academic, but cultural on many levels,” Abonesh said. “I've met people from other areas of the world that I would never had known. At work, I felt no limitations to the questions that I asked staff, faculty and people from other areas of the institution. Everyone was so friendly and accessible. It made me feel welcome.” Within a few weeks, Abonesh will return to Addis Ababa with a newfound sense of optimism and determination. She feels charged to plan research activities, teach and incorporate the advantages of multidisciplin-ary teamwork with other specialists in her profession. “It involves small steps to change,” Abonesh said. “If we can incorporate a change in attitude in how we can learn to provide practical approaches to basic eye problems then it is a step forward for improved eye care for Ethiopians. But changing these attitudes may take time.”