WSU's Ligon Research Center of Vision lands $1M grant

metromode, 3/18/2010

Things are becoming a bit clearer for Wayne State University's Kresge Eye Institute, but a $1 million grant will do that.

The Dryer Foundation awarded a $1 million grant to the Ligon Research Center of Vision at the institute last week. The interest from the new endowment will allow the center to hire more staff to help fight blindness and other vision problems.

"We have plans to recruit a researcher who will focus on disease of the retna and fighting blindness research," says Erika Walker, director of development at the Kresge Eye Institute. Walker quarterbacked the grant application.

The Dryer Foundation is named after banking industry executive Edward Dryer and his wife, Ellen. They were lifelong residents of Detroit. Edward Dryer suddenly lost his sight while traveling on business in New York, which resulted in the loss of his job. His wife helped him follow the market by reading him The Wall Street Journal and other financial publications. That allowed Dryer to begin investing in the stock market, where his investments grew.

The couple died 11 years ago. The foundation was established from their estate. It now has a mission to aid people who have limited sight and to aid research for the prevention of blindness.

Source: Erika Walker, director of development at the Kresge Eye Institute
Writer: Jon Zemke

Detroit