McPherson Eye Research Institute

02/27/2026

Congratulations to MERI member Professor Mohit Gupta, winner of a 2026 Vilas Associate Award! Mohit Gupta is an Associate Professor of Computer Sciences and Director of the WISIONLab. His research interests include developing the next generation of computer vision systems via research in designing novel computational cameras and developing physics- and learning-based algorithms for scene interpretation.

02/26/2026

AI has been advancing at a breakneck pace, but how can we teach it something we don't fully understand ourselves? Dr. Vivian Paulun's research on how humans achieve visual intuitive physics aims not only to explain a core feature of human intelligence, but also to inspire the development of more flexible and human-like artificial intelligence.

Support research like Dr. Paulun's by signing up for Cycle for Sight, the McPherson Eye Research Institute's annual fundraiser! Join us for our March 14th kickoff event at the Princeton Club West. Cycle with a team or exercise on your own during the month of April and make a difference!

Sign Up for Cycle for Sight here: https://give.wiscmedicine.org/event/cycle-for-sight-2026/e735533

Read the article on Dr. Paulun's research here:https://vision.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/233/2026/01/MERI-Research-Seeing-the-Full-Scene.pdf

02/20/2026

Due Next Week! We are accepting applications for this year's Walsh Graduate Student Support Initiative! These $12K awards provide support to a UW-Madison graduate student training in a McPherson ERI member’s lab. Application deadline: Feb. 27th.

Apply here: https://vision.wisc.edu/funding_opportunities/gssi/

02/17/2026

Join us for our March 10th McPherson ERI Seminar Series! The lectures will be held in WIMR 3571 from 12-1 pm. A pizza lunch will be provided. RSVP and directions to the venue available here: https://vision.wisc.edu/current-seminar-series/

02/13/2026

Final Reminder: The application period for the MERI-sponsored Sophomore Research Fellowship is closing soon! This award provides research training and support to UW-Madison sophomore undergraduates, allowing them to undertake their own vision research project in collaboration with faculty or research staff. Applications are due by February 22nd. Read more and apply here: https://vision.wisc.edu/funding_opportunities/sophomore-research-fellowship/

02/11/2026

🎉 Big congratulations to Prof. Donna Neumann, MERI member and recipient of a 5-year NIH R01 grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases!

Her research explores how herpes simplex virus type 1 reactivates in neurons and spreads back to the eye—work that could pave the way for new treatments to prevent infection, transmission, and vision loss.

This exciting project grew out of early support from our Grant Summit Program, and we’re thrilled to see it reach this milestone!

02/06/2026

Join Cycle for Sight 2026 and help support vision research at UW-Madison’s McPherson Eye Research Institute! Sign up here: https://give.wiscmedicine.org/event/cycle-for-sight-2026/e735533

Have you ever thought about how your eyes move? Dr. Herzfeld's research on how neural circuits work together to control eye movement is beginning to uncover the fundamental rules of motor learning; insights that may one day help speed up recovery after strokes. Read the full article here:https://vision.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/233/2026/01/MERI-Research-Eye-Movement-and-the-Brain.pdf

Cycle for Sight supports researchers who work to prevent, treat and cure blinding diseases at the McPherson Eye Research Institute at UW-Madison. Kickoff is on 3/14 at Princeton Club West. For more info, go to https://give.wiscmedicine.org/cycleforsight2026.

02/06/2026

FINAL DAY to RSVP for MERI-at-a-Glance, an event showcasing the diverse vision research being undertaken by our members. This year, 5 presenters will be delivering short talks on their vision-related research. RSVP here by TODAY to attend! https://vision.wisc.edu/meri-at-a-glance/

02/06/2026

Final Call for applications for the Hilldale Undergraduate/Faculty Research Fellowship! These awards support undergrad research done in collaboration with faculty or research staff during the 2026-2027 academic year. Apply or read more here: https://vision.wisc.edu/funding_opportunities/hilldale-undergraduate-fellowships/

02/05/2026

Reminder: Applications for this year's Walsh Graduate Student Support Initiative opportunity are due in 3 weeks! These $12K awards provide support to a UW-Madison graduate student training in a McPherson ERI member’s lab. Application deadline: Feb. 27th.

Apply here: https://vision.wisc.edu/funding_opportunities/gssi/

02/02/2026

MERI member Jonathan Soucy (Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering) will be giving his talk titled "Engineering the Retinal Microenvironment to Enable Retinal Ganglion Cell Transplantation" at the John D. Wiley Conference Center in Waisman this Friday at 12 pm. All are welcome to attend! See flyer for more details.

01/30/2026

Final reminder to apply for a Spring 2026 Walsh Research Travel Award! Submit your application by Friday, February 6th to be considered for one of these $1500 awards. Visit here for more information and to apply: https://vision.wisc.edu/funding_opportunities/david-walsh-travel-awards/