Calvin Professors Earn $500k Grant

March 30, 2007 == MEDIA ADVISORY

SUMMARY: Calvin College has been awarded a grant of over $500,000 for
cutting-edge eye research.

Full story see http://www.calvin.edu/news/releases/2006-07/ubels-haarsma.htm

A National Eye Institute grant to Calvin College of more than $500,000 may
someday lead to a better understanding of how the eye is protected from
ultraviolet radiation, and the role of high levels of potassium in the tears.

Calvin biology professor John Ubels and Calvin physics professor Loren Haarsma
will team with a cadre of student researchers over the next three years for a
project that is at the leading edge of this sort of eye research.

Their work is being funded by a $564,527 grant from the Department of Health &
Human Services through the National Eye Institute, money that will support
Ubels, Haarsma and several student researchers (already Calvin juniors David
Will and Katie DeYoung have been hired to be part of the project this coming
summer).

With this new, three-year project Ubels, Haarsma and their student colleagues
will explore the role of high potassium levels in tears and how those high
potassium levels might help the cornea protect the lens and the retina from
ultraviolet radiation, particularly the UV radiation from the sun.

"A typical sunny day," says Ubels, "should cause corneal cells to die. But
they don't. Something is happening to protect them. We think it's potassium."

The research is innovative says Ubels. "No one in the country has really
looked at this combination in the ways we plan to look at it."

Will appreciates the opportunity to bring his two deep passions, science and
faith, together on the project.

"I love science and research," he says, "because they help me see God in a
more complete way. This research is really a direct way of learning and
exploring his world. I am so grateful to Calvin for providing this sort of
opportunity."

For Ubels the upcoming project - work will begin June 1 - is not only a plus
for his student colleagues, but also an affirmation of Calvin's robust
sabbatical program for faculty.

He spent a recent such sabbatical at the VanAndel Research Institute in Grand
Rapids and the upcoming project at Calvin will continue efforts begun there.

Contact Ubels at 616-526-6219

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Received on Fri Mar 30 09:46:43 2007