Medicine@Yale Magazine

Medicine@Yale.

June/July 2005   Volume 1 Issue 1

Inside this issue

Cover stories

The big questions

New Kavli center for neuroscience research will untangle mysteries of the human brain

Molecular gamble

Yale physiologist elected to National Academy of Sciences

Trailblazer

Magazine innovator celebrates 101 years with gifts for his medical school “family”

People

Lifelines: Expert on gene-swapping joined molecular biology at its very beginnings

For new deputy dean, focus is on top-notch care, service to patients

Kidney researchers celebrate a banner year

Unconventional physician-filmmaker receives “genius” grant

New HHMI investigator says appointment liberates his science

Awards & honors

Science

Analysis of genome reveals clues to macular degeneration

Vaccinating wildlife suggests a new strategy in continuing battle against Lyme disease

Advances:  Salmonella “syringe” ready for its close-up | Possible cancer inhibitor found in worm study

Health

A heart is repaired, the patient grows up: Program helps growing number of adult survivors of congenital disease

More integrated care for cancer patients, collaboration of scientists and clinicians are goals of proposed new YNHH building

Advances: New test easier for patients to swallow. | Study finds payoff in wider HIV testing

Partnerships

Pfizer and Yale join forces for research and education

A long, fruitful collaboration: Bristol-Myers Squibb and Yale

Drive to cure blindness hits $5 million

Class of 1954 makes a lasting impact with scholarship gift

Grants and contracts

Download this issue s a PDF file.

Download this whole issue as a PDF file

Drive to cure blindness hits $5 million

The Medical School’s Anlyan Center was graced with white linen and fresh flowers at a March celebration to mark the successful completion of a five-year, $5 million campaign to build a new center for macular degeneration research at Yale.

The campaign was given a jumpstart at the outset, thanks to a $500,000 donation from the Connecticut Lions Club Eye Research Foundation in 2000. On its heels came a $1 million challenge grant from Foresight Inc., a Connecticut-based eye-research charity founded by former patients of Yale ophthalmologists.

Kenneth and Christine Lo, who traveled from Taiwan to attend the March event, contributed $500,000 to the effort, and two Yale Vision Galas organized by Cecilia Teitell of Stamford, Conn., raised another $385,000.

Rocky Cingari, a longtime Connecticut Lions member from Darien, crisscrossed the state during the campaign seeking additional contributions from local Lions Clubs, friends and business contacts.

Cingari coordinated a separate appeal to employees and customers of ShopRite supermarkets, including the seven he owns in southwestern Connecticut with his brothers Sam and Dominic, and he planned charity golf tournaments held in conjunction with ShopRite and the Darien Lions.

With donations from the Darien-based E. Matilda Ziegler Foundation for the Blind and from William Ziegler, the campaign reached its $5 million goal in January.

Offering thanks to all who made contributions toward building the center, which will be known as the Connecticut Lions Macular Degeneration Research Center, Bruce Shields, M.D., the chair and Marvin Sears Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, said, “We have been very blessed with an incredible number of dedicated and talented people, to whom we are grateful beyond words.”

As donors mingled with Yale doctors and scientists during a cocktail reception, the vast Starr Atrium echoed with strains of the Beatles’ “Blackbird” played on classical guitar. Lennon and McCartney’s lyrics— Take these sunken eyes and learn to see—were never more apt. 

Kenneth and Christine Lo with Rocky Cingari.

Kenneth and Christine Lo with Rocky Cingari.

Peter Herbert, Dean Robert Alpern, Rocky Cingari, and Bruce Shields.

Peter Herbert, Dean Robert Alpern, Rocky Cingari and Bruce Shields.

Rocky Cingari before the unveiling of the plaque marking the new research center.

The plaque is unveiled.

The plaque is unveiled.

Cingari finds a familiar name.

Cingari finds a familiar name.

Kenneth and Christine Lo.

Kenneth and Christine Lo.

Bruce Shields with Kenneth and Christine Lo.

Bruce Shields with Christine and Kenneth Lo.

The Los, Rocky Cingari, and Bruce Shields.

Kennneth and Christine Lo, Rocky Cingari and Bruce Shields.

Members of the Connecticut Lions Club.

Members of the Connecticut Lions Club.

Jump to top.

Copyright 2005, Yale University School of Medicine. All rights reserved. Email comments or suggestions to: editor@info.med.yale.edu.