As a Wilmer resident, you have the opportunity to participate in research projects ranging from basic science to clinical trials to epidemiological studies. Residents are eligible for Wilmer Resident Association research grants of up to $2,000 per year. 

In addition to resident research grants, the program covers the costs of any statistical analysis that supports resident research. Each year, residents complete projects under the mentorship of our faculty to be presented at local and national ophthalmology meetings.  

Meeting Days

Residents are given meeting days to attend and present at national meetings. In addition, three residents receive the generous Mitchell Prize cash award for resident research each year at the Wilmer Residents Association Annual Meeting.

Wilmer Residents Association (WRA) Annual Meeting

This annual CME event consists of presentations by faculty, residents, fellows and former trainees of the Wilmer Eye Institute highlighting recent advances in clinical and laboratory research in ophthalmology.

Ophthalmologists attending this meeting will have the opportunity to:

• learn and strengthen their surgical skills
• hear and assess current clinical research on surgical techniques, instrumentation and outcomes
• view and demonstrate state-of-the-art ophthalmic equipment and supplies
• improve practice management knowledge skills
• present their research and compete for the Mitchell Prize

Topics presented at recent WRA meetings include:

• Quantifying the Rate of Ellipsoid Zone Loss in Stargardt Disease
• Cataract Progression after Laser Peripheral Iridotomy in Primary Angle Closure Suspects
• Lost in Translation: The Molecular Mechanisms Driving Disease Pathology in Marfan Syndrome and Related Disorders
• Expression of the Angiogenic Mediator, Angiopoietin-like 4, in Proliferative Sickle Retinopathy
• Modeling of Neurodegeneration, Neuroprotection, and Neuroregeneration through Organotypic Retinal Culture
• A Model and Guidelines to Standardize Comparison of Smartphone Methods of Fundus Photography