Madurai, 28^th February – 1^st March 2025

Sneha, Junior Research Scholar, Department of Immunology and Stem Cell Biology, Aravind Medical Research Foundation (AMRF), won the First Prize in Oral Presentation at the 6^th International Conference on Genome Biology (ICGB): Cell – Organism – Environment & the 56^th Aqua-Terr Annual Day, organised by the School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai.

Title: MiRNAs associated with the maintenance of human trabecular meshwork stem cells: Changes with ageing and in glaucoma

Chennai, 8^th March 2025

Dr. Haripriya Aravind was felicitated by Thiru R.N. Ravi, Governor of Tamil Nadu, with a citation and a shawl, for her distinguished services in Ophthalmology on the eve of International Women’s Day at Raj Bhavan, Chennai.

Chennai, 8^th March 2025

Dr. G. Natchiar was honoured with the Mega Women Lifetime Achievement Award 2025 for academic, management, service excellence, and outstanding contribution to women empowerment, at the International Women’s Day Programme hosted by the MEGA TV Channel. The award was presented by K.V. Thangkabalu, Former Member of the Lok Sabha of India & Founder of Mega TV, along with Dr. Jeyanthi Thangabalu, Managing Director, Mega TV, Chennai.

Washington, 1^st March 2025

Dr. R. Ramakrishnan, Advisor, Aravind-Tirunelveli, was honoured with the AGS 2025 International Scholar Award by the American Glaucoma Society (AGS) at their Annual Meeting held at Washington, D.C.

Dr. Sameer Chaudhary, Medical Consultant, Aravind-Madurai, won the Runner-up Prize at the APAO-APOIS Imaging Competition, organised by the Asia Pacific Ocular Imaging Society (APOIS), on the theme, “Imaging the Eye: Helping the World to See.”

As part of this achievement, Dr. Sameer has been awarded a complimentary badge to participate in the 40^th Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress, to be held from 3-6 April 2025, along with a cash prize of US$50 and a certificate, which will be presented during the award ceremony.

Title: The lens on life: Bending the rays of sight and hope

Aravind-Pondicherry, 22^nd February 2025

The Aravind Centre for Eyecare Innovation (ACEi) organised the 4^th annual Aravind Inspiring Innovator Award (AIIA) 2025 contest at Aravind-Pondicherry, recognising the innovative contributions of Aravind staff, including doctors, postgraduates, supporting staff, IT staff, and MLOPs. The first prize was awarded to Sterilux, developed by Dr. Ojus Bhanot, Dr. Nandita Manjunath, and Dr. Rohan Arora. The second prize was shared by EYEMOUNT 360, created by Dr. Aravind Krishna, Dr. Smrithi Sony Thampi, and Dr. Athul Puthalath, and ASTRA-90, developed by Dr. Vedant Sharma, Dr. Eshwar Rajesh, Dr. Athul Puthalath, Dr. Divisha Mehta, and Dr. Samarth Kacker. The third prize was awarded to two innovations: Percepto CVI by Dr. Sahithya Bhaskaran, and Harini Kannan, and Glaucometer by Dr. Nishwath and Dr. Priyankaa. The prize amounts, sponsored by ACEi, included Rs. 50,000 for the first prize, Rs. 30,000 for the second prize, and Rs. 20,000 for the third prize. The winners were honoured during Aravind-Pondicherry Hospital Day by Dr. R.D. Ravindran, Chairman, AECS, and Dr. R. Venkatesh, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Aravind-Pondicherry.

Several doctors from across Aravind have cleared the Fellowship of the All India Collegium of Ophthalmology (FAICO) exam 2024, conducted by the All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS).

Aravind-Madurai

FAICO (Retina): Dr. Swikruti Jena, Dr. Subhodeep Thakur, Dr. Rasiga R, Dr. Keya Chakrabarti, Dr. Chakpram Priyalaxmi, Dr. Vignesh Elamurugan, Dr. Preethi S, and Dr. Tanya Balakrishnan
FAICO (Glaucoma): Dr. Indira Durai, Dr. Ann Mary Mathews, and Dr. Kumar Siddharth
FAICO (Paediatric): Dr. Elackiya, and Dr. Nithya Sridharan

Aravind-Tirunelveli

FAICO (Retina): Dr. P R Aswin
FAICO (Glaucoma): Dr. Shivam Gupta
FAICO (Paediatric): Dr. Anupama Janardhanan

Aravind-Pondicherry

FAICO (Retina): Dr. Usha Tejeswini S, and Dr. Devika Bhattacharya Mandlik

Aravind-Coimbatore

FAICO (Cornea): Dr. Bennet Chacko Mathew
FAICO (Orbit): Dr. Padmapriya, and Dr. Renu Bansal
FAICO (IOL): Dr. Fayisa Musthafa
FAICO (UVEA): Dr. Meera Mohankumar
FAICO (Paediatric): Dr. Sasikala Elizabeth Anilkumar

Aravind-Chennai

FAICO (Glaucoma): Dr. Yamini K

Aravind-Tiruptai

FAICO (Retina): Dr. Kunduru Sruthi