Eye on Innovation, The Series: Northwest Arkansas
BREAKTHROUGHS IN RESTORING SIGHT: Gene Therapy & Stem Cell Innovations

Discover how science is rewriting the future of blindness. Dr. Mark Pennesi will share how gene therapy is already restoring vision for patients with inherited eye diseases (IRDs) and has more than 30 new treatments in the pipeline, including breakthroughs for retinitis pigmentosa and Leber congenital amaurosis. Dr. Srinivasa R. Sripathi will discuss his first-of-its-kind sibling stem cell study with one of the first participants, revealing why some people with the same genetic risk lose vision to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) while others don’t and how that knowledge could stop or reverse the disease. Together, these innovations are bringing us closer than ever to a world without vision loss.

Cocktails & Conversation
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
The Apollo on Emma

Featuring

DR. MARK PENNESI

Director, Inherited Retinal Degeneration Clinic, Retina Foundation

DR. SRINIVASA R. SRIPATHI

Director, Henderson Ocular Stem Cell Laboratory, Retina Foundation

DIANE BODDY

AMD Sibling Stem Cell Study Participant, Retina Foundation

LAURIE DOTTER

Chairman of the Board, Retina Foundation

Sponsors

The Eye Center

Transformer Sponsor

World Services for the Blind

Accelerator Sponsor

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