Dominique BREMOND-GIGNAC | Congenital Aniridia | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Dominique BREMOND-GIGNAC | Congenital Aniridia | Best Researcher Award

University Hospital Necker Enfants malades |  France

Dominique Sandra Bremond-Gignac is a distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Head of the Ophthalmology Department at University Hospital Necker Enfants-malades, Paris, with a pediatric ophthalmology subspecialty. She leads the OPHTARA Rare Eye Diseases Center coordinating multiple French centers and serves as Head of the CLAIROP Clinical Research Center accredited by Europe EVI-CT, overseeing numerous clinical research protocols. She is affiliated with Paris Cité University and Sorbonne Paris Cité University and contributes to INSERM research in ocular physiopathology and clinical development. Prof. Bremond-Gignac has extensive experience in training medical students, residents, and orthoptists, and holds leadership positions in European and international ophthalmology societies, including WSPOS, EVER, and IMI. Her clinical expertise spans anterior segment surgery, strabismus, oculoplastics, and management of rare and congenital eye diseases. She has over two hundred PubMed-indexed publications and is recognized for her contributions to pediatric ophthalmology, clinical research, and medical education worldwide.

Profile

ORCID

Education

Prof. Bremond-Gignac received her medical training at Paris V University, completing her MD with a medal and specialization in ophthalmology. She holds a Master’s degree in Pharmacology and a second Master’s in Medical Imaging, complementing her clinical expertise with research proficiency. She pursued a PhD in Anatomy at Paris V University, earning distinctions from the examining jury. Her advanced training includes international research experiences, including six months at Manhattan Eye Ear and Throat Hospital in New York and a postgraduate research year at INSERM Unit 598 focused on the ocular surface. She also obtained the European Board of Ophthalmology diploma and completed hospital management training at the EMAMH School of Hospital Management, Paris. Her education combines rigorous medical, surgical, and research training, integrating clinical care with translational ophthalmology research. This foundation supports her leadership in pediatric ophthalmology, rare eye disease management, and clinical research coordination.

Experience

Prof. Bremond-Gignac began her career as a university assistant in ophthalmology and anatomy at Paris, followed by a fellowship in Paris University Hospitals’ ophthalmology departments. She progressed to associate professor at University Hospital R. Debré and later became a full professor of ophthalmology. She currently heads the Ophthalmology Department at University Hospital Necker Enfants-malades, overseeing pediatric clinical care, surgical interventions, and training programs for medical students, residents, and orthoptists. She leads the CLAIROP Clinical Research Center, coordinating phase I-III clinical trials, and directs the OPHTARA Rare Eye Diseases Center, managing national networks for rare ocular conditions. Her professional experience spans clinical practice, surgical expertise in anterior segment, strabismus, and oculoplastics, and leadership in research and hospital management. She is an expert advisor to French ministries and European agencies and holds key roles in international ophthalmology societies, combining administrative, educational, research, and clinical expertise to advance pediatric ophthalmology and ocular disease research.

Awards and Honors

Prof. Bremond-Gignac has been widely recognized for her contributions to ophthalmology and medical education. She was decorated Chevalier de l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques by the President of her university and later received the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur for her outstanding service in medicine. She earned the Al Biglan Medal from Pittsburgh University with a dedicated lecture recognizing her clinical and research achievements. She is also a distinguished award member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and received the Gold Medal Distinction from the Moroccan Society of Ophthalmology. Beyond formal awards, she is widely acknowledged for her leadership in European and international ophthalmology societies, her role in coordinating rare eye disease networks, and her contributions to clinical research and medical education. Her honors reflect her dedication to advancing pediatric ophthalmology, fostering research collaborations, and mentoring the next generation of ophthalmologists and clinical scientists across Europe and internationally.

Research Focus

Prof. Bremond-Gignac’s research focuses on pediatric ophthalmology, rare eye diseases, and ocular physiopathology with translational applications. She leads clinical trials in the CLAIROP Research Center, addressing innovative therapies across phase I to III studies, and coordinates the OPHTARA Rare Eye Diseases Center to advance clinical research for conditions such as aniridia, congenital ocular anomalies, and progressive myopia. Her research integrates imaging, pharmacology, and surgical innovations to improve diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes. She collaborates nationally and internationally, contributing to European research networks and advisory boards. She also investigates ocular surface diseases and anterior segment pathologies, translating laboratory findings into clinical interventions. Prof. Bremond-Gignac mentors students and residents in clinical research methods and fosters multidisciplinary approaches linking ophthalmology, genetics, and public health. Her work bridges scientific discovery and patient care, emphasizing evidence-based interventions, early diagnosis of rare ocular conditions, and the development of novel therapies to enhance visual function and quality of life in children with complex eye diseases.

 

Publications

 

Title: Genotype-phenotype correlations of COL2A1 and COL11A1 patients
Year: 2025

Title: Cystadrops® Eye Drops for the Management of Ocular Cystinosis in Patients Aged 6 Months to < 2 Years
Year: 2025

Title: Fluctuations in angle lambda with the pupil diameter and correlations with biometric values in a healthy population
Year: 2025

Title: 12-month outcomes after voretigene neparvovec gene therapy in paediatric patients with RPE65-mediated inherited retinal dystrophy
Year: 2025

Title: Glaucome de l’aniridie congénitale liée au gène PAX6 : une revue de la littérature
Year: 2025

Title: Protocole national de diagnostic et de soin pour la prise en charge de la rétinopathie du prématuré : résumé pour le médecin traitant et le généraliste
Year: 2025

Conclusion

Prof. Dominique Sandra Bremond-Gignac is a global leader in pediatric ophthalmology and rare eye disease research, seamlessly integrating clinical practice, research excellence, and academic mentorship, recognized for her innovative contributions to ocular therapeutics, training future ophthalmologists, and shaping international ophthalmology standards through leadership roles in research networks and professional societies.

Maciej Gawęcki | Ophthalmology | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Maciej Gawęcki | Ophthalmology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Maciej Gawęcki, MD, PhD, is a distinguished Polish ophthalmologist renowned for his expertise in retinal diagnostics and laser therapy. He graduated from the Medical University of Gdańsk in 1994 and has since held prominent positions in clinical ophthalmology, including Deputy Head at the Regional Hospital in Elbląg and Head of Ophthalmology at the Specialist Hospital in Chojnice and currently at the Pomeranian Hospitals in Wejherowo. His academic journey includes a PhD on amblyopia and a European Ophthalmological Society scholarship at Moorfields Hospital in London. Since 2015, he has served as the Regional Consultant in Ophthalmology for the Pomorskie Region. His pioneering work on subthreshold micropulse laser therapy for central serous chorioretinopathy earned him habilitation in 2021. An author of three ophthalmology manuals, he also directs the Dobry Wzrok Clinic in Gdańsk. His contributions significantly impact both clinical practice and ophthalmic education in Poland.

Profile

🎓 Education

Dr. Gawęcki earned his MD from the Medical University of Gdańsk in 1994, where he also completed his internship and specialization in ophthalmology. He began his academic career as an assistant at the Department of Ophthalmology at the same institution, continuing until 2022. In 2001, he defended his doctoral dissertation titled “Amblyopia without strabismus in clinical practice.” He furthered his education through a prestigious scholarship from the European Ophthalmological Society, which he completed at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London in 1999. In 2021, he achieved habilitation based on his research into the clinical application of micropulse laser therapy for central serous chorioretinopathy, marking a significant academic milestone. Dr. Gawęcki’s education blends clinical ophthalmology with cutting-edge research and teaching, laying a solid foundation for his later roles as a clinician, consultant, and educator.

🧪 Experience

Dr. Maciej Gawęcki’s professional experience spans over three decades. From 1994 to 1995, he completed his internship at the Medical University of Gdańsk, followed by service as an assistant in its Department of Ophthalmology until 2022. Between 2002 and 2006, he was Deputy Head of the Ophthalmology Department at the Regional Hospital in Elbląg. In 2007, he became Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Specialist Hospital in Chojnice and now leads the Department at the Pomeranian Hospitals in Wejherowo. He also founded and continues to direct the Dobry Wzrok Ophthalmology Clinic in Gdańsk since 2001. His experience extends to regional public health leadership, having served as the Regional Consultant in Ophthalmology for Pomorskie since 2015. Dr. Gawęcki’s career reflects a deep commitment to clinical excellence, patient care, and innovation in ophthalmological practice.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Maciej Gawęcki has been the recipient of numerous honors in recognition of his contributions to ophthalmology. A notable early distinction was his selection for a scholarship by the European Ophthalmological Society in 1999, enabling advanced training at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London—one of the world’s leading eye centers. His academic and clinical achievements culminated in the prestigious habilitation degree in 2021 for his pioneering work on micropulse laser therapy in central serous chorioretinopathy. In addition, he has earned national recognition through his appointment as the Regional Consultant in Ophthalmology for the Pomorskie Region since 2015, a role that reflects both his leadership and expertise. His publications, including ophthalmic manuals widely used by practitioners, further reinforce his stature as a respected thought leader and educator. Through both public health roles and academic work, Dr. Gawęcki has significantly advanced ophthalmic care and education in Poland.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Gawęcki’s research is centered on medical retina diagnostics and therapeutic innovations, particularly for central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). His habilitation thesis explored the use of subthreshold micropulse laser therapy in CSCR, positioning him as a national pioneer of this technique in Poland. His investigative interests encompass a range of retinal imaging modalities, including fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and angio-OCT. By integrating advanced imaging with minimally invasive laser therapy, his research seeks to refine diagnostic accuracy and improve patient outcomes in retinal disease. He is also dedicated to the education of clinicians, evidenced by his authorship of ophthalmology manuals addressing diagnostic techniques and retinal disease management. Dr. Gawęcki’s work bridges clinical application and academic research, offering both theoretical insights and practical guidelines that influence daily ophthalmologic practice across the country and increasingly abroad.

Conclusion

Dr. Maciej Gawęcki is a distinguished ophthalmologist whose integrated roles in clinical leadership, academic scholarship, and regional healthcare consulting have significantly advanced retinal diagnostics and subthreshold laser therapy in Poland.

 

Publications