Cátia Gomes, PhD receives the 2026 Shaffer Research Prize from Glaucoma Research Foundation
The Shaffer Prize recognizes a researcher whose work exemplifies bold thinking and the pursuit of innovative ideas to better understand and cure glaucoma.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -February 9, 2026: For her research project, “Studying the Contribution of Aging to Retinal Ganglion Cell Degeneration Relevant to Glaucoma,” Dr. Cátia Gomes, assistant research professor at the Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, was awarded the 2026 Shaffer Prize for Innovative Glaucoma Research.
The Shaffer Prize, presented annually by Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) during their Annual Gala at Glaucoma 360, recognizes a researcher whose work exemplifies bold thinking and the pursuit of innovative ideas to better understand and cure glaucoma. Dr. Gomes accepted the award at the Gala last week from Cynthia Steel, PhD, GRF’s Chief Scientific Officer.
“I am extremely honored to receive the 2026 Shaffer Prize and grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the Glaucoma Research Foundation’s mission of supporting innovative research to prevent vision loss,” said Dr. Gomes. “This award represents an important milestone in my career. I am truly thankful to GRF for this recognition, and to Linda and Gary Sirak for their generosity in supporting this project.”
Aging is one of the biggest risk factors for glaucoma, yet most investigators rely on models that don’t fully replicate conditions seen in older-aged people. In this project, Dr. Gomes and her colleagues created a more realistic model of human glaucoma by using a small molecule to “age” retinal ganglion cells (the cells that carry visual signals from the eye to the brain). Dr. Gomes was able to trigger age-related changes in these cells that are also seen in glaucoma patients.
“We are so pleased to award Dr. Gomes this year’s Shaffer Prize for Innovative Glaucoma Research,” said Dr. Steel. “Her research helps us understand better how aging contributes to retinal degeneration in glaucoma, and it provides a powerful platform for future glaucoma research by identifying novel molecular targets and therapeutic strategies for preventing vision loss from glaucoma.”
The Shaffer Prize for Innovative Glaucoma Research was established in 2007 to honor the late Robert N. Shaffer, MD, a co-founder of Glaucoma Research Foundation. Dr. Shaffer was an early innovator in the field of glaucoma and a Clinical Professor Emeritus in Ophthalmology at University of California San Francisco. Glaucoma Research Foundation continues his legacy of helping those with glaucoma through education and the funding of research to find better therapies and ultimately a cure for glaucoma.
Pictured above: Cynthia Steel, PhD (left) and Cátia Gomes, PhD at the Glaucoma 360 Annual Gala