Scientific Program

• Introduction
• On-Line Program Planner
• Schedule at a glance
• Keynote Speakers
• Exhibition & Poster Sessions
• Concurrent sessions
• R & R Sessions
• Friday plenary & closing
• Pre-Conference Workshop
• Technical Visits
• CNIB Community Learning Forum
• CE Credits
• Proceedings
• Travel Fellowships
• Accessible Formats
• Services to Presenters

Friday plenary session

July the 11th

8:00 - 9:30 PANEL PRESENTATION 1

PREVENTION & TREATMENT OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT: A LOOK INTO THE MEDICAL CRYSTAL BALL

Organizer

Ronald A. Schuchard, Ph.D.

VA Rehabilitation R&D Center of Excellence, USA

Moderator

Donald C. Fletcher, M.D.

Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, USA

Panel members:

Robert Koenekoop, M.D., Ph.D.

Department of Ophthalmology, McGill University, Canada – Personalized Gene-Specific Treatments for Retinal Degenerations: A Crystal Ball View

Gary Rubin, Ph.D.

Institute of Ophthalmology, UK – Gene Therapy & Stem Cell Treatment Trials

Junwen Zeng, M.D., Ph.D.

Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China - Low Vision in China: Future Types and Treatments

Ronald A. Schuchard, Ph.D.

VA Rehabilitation R&D Center, USA - The Importance of Functional Vision Outcomes & Rehabilitation in Medical Treatments

10:00 - 11:30 PANEL PRESENTATION 2

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY & REHABILITATION OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT: A LOOK INTO THE TECHNOLOGY CRYSTAL BALL

Organizer and Moderator:

Ronald A. Schuchard, Ph.D.

VA Rehabilitation R&D Center of Excellence, USA

Panel members:

Jocelyn Faubert, Ph.d.

École d’optométrie, Université de Montréal, Canada - Virtual Environments in Rehabilitation & Research

David Ross, M.S.

VA Rehabilitation R&D Center of Excellence, USA - Talking Braille: Braille Signs Transmitting Orientation and Wayfinding Information

Gislin Dagnelie, Ph.D.

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, USA - Retinal and Higher Visual Prosthetics

Lotfi Merabet, O.D., Ph.D.

Harvard Medical School, USA - Neural-Plasticity & Neuro-Rehabilitation

Closing ceremony

Dr. Roberta Bondar, Neuro-ophthalmologist and Astronaut

Born in Sault Ste Marie on Lake Superior, Dr. Roberta Bondar embarked on a career of scientific pursuits beginning in high school. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture and zoology and a master’s degree in experimental pathology. She completed her doctorate in neurobiology at the University of Toronto. Dr. Bondar earned her medical degree at McMaster University with a special interest in space medicine. After completing her board certification in Neurology, she studied at Tufts New England Medical Center in Boston, specializing in neurophthalmology, how we see and record the world around us. Dr. Bondar is an Officer of the Order of Canada, has been recognized with the NASA Space Medal and inducted into Canadian Medical Hall of Fame for her pioneering research in space medicine. In addition, she has received 24 honorary doctorates from Canadian and American universities. Currently, Dr. Bondar is in her second term as Chancellor of Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario.