$2.5 Million Gift to Retina Foundation Establishes First IRD Endowed Chair in Dallas

Family pledges generous commitment, funds Debbie and Steve Gray Inherited Retinal Degenerations (IRD) Chair to advance research that will save sight 

DALLAS, Feb. 6, 2026 — The Retina Foundation, a global medical research organization focused on saving and restoring vision, is advancing its mission with the generous support of Debbie and Steve Gray, a family with a personal understanding of the profound impact inherited retinal diseases can have. Their dedication has been instrumental in furthering the Retina Foundation’s commitment to sight-saving research.

The Grays’ generous cumulative support, totaling $2.5 million, will establish the Debbie and Steve Gray Inherited Retinal Degenerations (IRD) Chair, the first endowment of its kind in Dallas. This endowed chair will enable the Retina Foundation to recruit and retain world-class scientists while accelerating cutting-edge research aimed at developing new treatments, and ultimately cures, for inherited retinal diseases. 

“We knew that being a part of the Retina Foundation—a medical institute at the forefront of innovative vision research—would be an impactful place to put our philanthropy,” said Steve Gray. “It’s very rewarding to be on the ground floor and see something extraordinary happen. The thought that we had a small part in that means the world.” 

The Gray family’s connection to IRDs is deeply personal. Debbie Gray is a patient of the Retina Foundation and was diagnosed with RP in 2008 and participated in a clinical study at the Retina Foundation. Additionally, Steve Gray’s father is nearly blind due to macular degeneration. 

“I don’t want to see any of my children or grandchildren struggle with retinitis pigmentosa {RP) as I have,” said Debbie Gray. “I’m hopeful there’s a cure out there, and my wish is that this support will bring together and equip the right people to find it. At the end of the day, this isn’t just about our family, it’s about the many families around the world impacted by rare IRDs. 

The endowed chair will be held by Dr. Mark Pennesi, chief medical officer at the Retina Foundation. Dr. Pennesi leads the IRD laboratory and clinic dedicated exclusively to IRDs, which has already served more than 1,000 patients. He has also acted as lead investigator for 27 first-in-human clinical trials for IRDs, including the first trial to use CRISPR gene editing in humans (recently published in The New England Journal of Medicine), conducted at the OHSU Casey Eye Institute in Portland. In addition, Dr. Pennesi has authored 193 peer-reviewed publications in leading scientific journals. He began his career at the Retina Foundation as an intern under the leadership of Dr. David Birch, a founding scientist of the Retina Foundation. 

“This gift from the Grays will be integral in accelerating new solutions and treatments,” said Dr. Pennesi. “The Debbie and Steve Gray IRD Chair will help us push the boundaries of discovery and bring hope backed by science to patients and families affected by rare IRDs, such as RP, Stargardt’s and others. We are incredibly grateful for the Grays’ generosity and trust in our work.” 

Since 1982, the Retina Foundation’s scientific research program in IRDs has guided the development of groundbreaking clinical trials, discovered genes and gene mutations directly linked to IRDs, and helped define many of the standards used today to evaluate emerging therapies.  

“For 50 years, the Retina Foundation has been at the forefront of advancing retinal research, and this extraordinary gift ensures we can build on that legacy,” said Dr. Karl Csaky, Chief Strategy Officer of the Retina Foundation. “The Debbie and Steve Gray IRD Chair allows us to support visionary leaders like Dr. Pennesi, whose work is transforming what is possible for patients.” 

As advances in gene therapy and gene editing rapidly expand what is possible in IRD treatment, the endowed chair ensures the Retina Foundation can move discoveries from the lab to patients faster than ever before. Together, the Retina Foundation and the Gray family are ensuring that decades of discovery continue to translate into life-changing treatments for patients worldwide.