Celebrating the Bishop Foundation and 40 years of vision science research

After building a career in lumber, roofing, and banking in the Pacific Northwest, Edward Bishop and his wife, Lillian, established the Bishop Foundation in 1962 to advance eye research. The foundation set forth a bold purpose: “the cure of diseases of the eye, the correction of faulty vision, [and] the relief of needy sufferers from eye afflictions.” Mr. and Mrs. Bishop wished to support scientists working on the big unanswered questions in vision science.

In 1975, the foundation became interested in research conducted at UW Medicine and the Department of Ophthalmology. According to Emeritus Professor Robert Kalina, MD, the Bishop Foundation established the first professorship in the department’s history. Professorships help to recruit and retain talented scientists, bestow the holder with recognition, and provide a reliable source of funding for lab research.

"The Bishop Professorship added a foundation for discovery in our department that led to more named positions over many years and continues to this day, " Dr. Kalina said.

Robert Rodieck, PhD, held the Bishop Professorship from 1978 to 1997 and was known for significant contributions to visual neuroscience. Kris Palczewski, PhD held the Bishop Professorship from 1999 to 2005. Palczewski’s laboratory is best known for solving the structures of different forms of rhodopsin.

Jay Neitz, PhD, has held the Bishop Professorship since 2009. Jay and his collaborator (and spouse) Grace Hill Chair Maureen Neitz collaborate in their studies of the visual system. Their laboratories focus on developing gene therapy for cone-based vision disorders; investigating the role of genetic variability in cone photopigments in eye diseases such as macular degeneration, myopia, and glaucoma; and understanding the physiological basis for color perception. They have also mentored dozens of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.

According to Dr. Neitz, the professorship has made a huge difference in the work the Neitz laboratories have accomplished.  It has allowed their group to explore exciting new areas of research, and they have made groundbreaking discoveries in vision science that would not have been possible without the Bishop Foundation’s support.  

We extend deep gratitude to the Bishop Foundation for their partnership in investing in vision science over 40 years.