Alcon, the global leader in eye care dedicated to helping people see brilliantly, today announced Allen C. Ho, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology at Thomas Jefferson University and Director of Retina Research at Wills Eye Hospital, will join the Alcon Research Institute’s (ARI) Executive Committee as chairman in October. The executive committee has overseen ARI’s mission to expand the frontiers of vision sciences globally since its founding in 1981. ARI’s current chair, Mark Humayun, MD, PhD, and professor at Keck School of Medicine of USC and the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, will complete his four-year term following the 2024 ARI Podos Colloquium and Scientific Symposium held on October 4-5.

Dr. Ho will oversee the ARI Executive and Scientific Selection Committees in selecting Alcon’s annual Senior and Young Investigator Grant recipients, which awards funding to research scientists with outstanding achievements in vision research. Since its inception, more than 360 research grants have been awarded totaling nearly $30 million.

Dr. Ho will also chair the Steven M. Podos Colloquium, Alcon’s annual scientific meeting that highlights recent advances in vision research, as well as the bi-annual Scientific Symposium, a lecture series that features ARI grant recipient research. The 2024 Steven M. Podos Colloquium and Scientific Symposium will take place at the Alcon Campus in Fort Worth, TX. This year’s Colloquium will focus on Advances in Retina, featuring valuable insights from industry experts.

“Dr. Ho’s commitment to advancing vision science through rigorous research and mentorship during his career makes him the ideal successor to our current chair, Dr. Humayun,” said Franck Leveiller, Chief Scientific Officer, Head of R&D and Secretary of ARI for Alcon. “We are thrilled to have a surgeon of Dr. Ho’s caliber serving as ARI chair and are looking forward to leveraging his vast experience to support the advancement of our mission. Alcon wants to thank Dr. Humayun for his long-lasting involvement, dedication and enthusiasm as a chairman, his efforts to expand ARI’s partnerships with researchers globally and his positive impact on the study of ocular diseases.”

Dr. Ho is a highly esteemed and decorated ophthalmologist specializing in medical and surgical retinal diseases with expertise in collaborative translational clinical research investigating new and innovative ocular therapies and surgical devices and procedures. In addition to his roles at Wills Eye Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University, Dr. Ho is a volunteer for EyeCare America, an organization that provides ophthalmic care to underinsured patients, as well as a member of the board of the American Diabetes Association of Greater Philadelphia.

About Alcon

Alcon helps people see brilliantly. As the global leader in eye care with a heritage spanning over 75 years, we offer the broadest portfolio of products to enhance sight and improve people’s lives. Our Surgical and Vision Care products touch the lives of more than 260 million people in over 140 countries each year living with conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases and refractive errors. Our more than 25,000 associates are enhancing the quality of life through innovative products, partnerships with Eye Care Professionals and programs that advance access to quality eye care. Learn more at www.alcon.com.

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Steven Smith
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