Visionaries
Vision Research Foundation is a charitable trust established by the generous contribution of a New Zealand philanthropist. Our research focus is to preserve sight by supporting bold scientific initiatives that will challenge, disrupt and forge new insights into the eye and its connection to the brain.
Our People
Prof. Helen Danesh-Meyer
MBChB, MD, PhD, FRANZCO, CNZM, FRSNZ
Chair, Scientific Director
helen@vrf.org.nz
Our Current Scholars
Dr Matthew McDonald
Project Grant
Dr William Schierding
Senior Research Fellow
Umayal Venkatasamy
PhD Scholar
Dr Loxlan Kasa
Senior Research Fellow
Paige Richter
Māori and Pacific Scholar
Our Previous Scholars
Aimee Mills
Project Grant
Renata Watane
Travel Scholar
Gabriella Bantas
Project Grant
Tania Te Whenua
Project Grant
Dr Jesse Gale
Project Grant
Paige Richter
Summer Student
Makayla Kahi
Summer Studentship
Rachel Baker
Travel Scholar
A/Prof Samantha Holdsworth
Project Grant
Kenisha Keung
Travel Scholar
Christopher Mayo
Summer Studentship
Dr Dineo Mpe
Research Fellow
Dr Sarah Hull
Project Grant
Andrew Holmes
Travel Scholar
Dr Dan Scott
Project Grant
Our Partners
Our Community Partners
Our Challenge
Our philosophy is that by challenging established paradigms we can make transformative discoveries in vision science. We are establishing a collaborative, multi-disciplinary network of researchers who are committed to translational and impactful research.
The emphasis is on building a strong and dynamic vision research environment, focusing on supporting bright minds to stay in NZ. NZ researchers are significantly underfunded compared to other similar OECD countries such as Australia, UK, Canada and the US, with less than 8% of all research grant applications being funded.
Vision Research Foundation provides a streamlined, scientifically robust research platform for vision scientists working collaboratively.
