John Chase, David Zacks, M.D., Ph.D., and Shahzad Mian, M.D.
The Edna H. Perkiss Research Professorship in Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
sister and were married for 61 years. Later in life, Mrs. Perkiss lost her vision due to age-related macular degeneration. While forced to give up some of her favorite activities, she never lost her giving nature. She passed away in 2008, and this professorship honors her generosity of spirit through its intent to spare others the pain of losing their sight. David Zacks, M.D., Ph.D., has long been committed to saving sight and improving vision through his innovaThe Edna H. Perkiss Research Professorship in tive research focusing on methods to prevent retinal Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences was established cell death and damage before it leads to blindness. in 2018 through an estate gift from Alvin Perkiss. “We hope to develop core knowledge to allow for a Making the gift was a meaningful way for Mr. Perkiss greater understanding of how disease results in cell to honor the memory of his wife, Edna. It was also a death, allowing for the creation of new treatments to way he could provide future support for research aimed improve vision,” he says. at curing blinding vision diseases, like the age-related An internationally renowned retina specialist, macular degeneration Edna faced. Dr. Zacks has identified key molecular pathways that Edna Perkiss was born control retinal cell health in Detroit in 1918. She was and therapeutic targets to WE HOPE TO DEVELOP CORE KNOWLEDGE known for her love of reading, help keep these cells alive. TO ALLOW FOR A GREATER UNDERSTANDtravel, and for being a dediHe has published over 115 ING OF HOW DISEASE RESULTS IN CELL cated friend. “Helping others peer-reviewed articles,holds DEATH, ALLOWING FOR THE CREATION OF numerous patents, has was part of who she was,” said Mr. Perkiss. In addition, Mrs. received the Macula Society NEW TREATMENTS TO IMPROVE VISION. Perkiss is remembered for W. Richard Green and the — David Zacks, M.D., Ph.D. her long and distinguished Terry J. Bergstrom Faculty 32-year career at Ford Motor Company. Her work as a Teaching awards, and serves on the Executive Commitsecretary was very important to her, so much so that tee of the Retina Society. He is also co-founder of ONL she occasionally returned to work in the evening after Therapeutics, an Ann Arbor based biotech company dinner. During her tenure at the company, she worked developing a first-in-class neuroprotective agent for with several vice presidents. patients with retinal disease. Dr. Zacks joined U-M as Alvin Perkiss served in the U.S. Army during World an assistant professor in 2002 and was promoted to War II. The G.I. Bill enabled him to attend college and professor in 2015. He was inaugurated as the Edna H. build his automotive supplier business in Dearborn, Perkiss Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Michigan. Alvin and Edna were introduced by Alvin’s on July 19, 2023.
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