News

Kristen M. Kwan, PhD, Vice Chair for Vision Research will be the featured speaker at our 2026-27 kick-off meeting.  Dr. Kwan will talk about her path in science and share an overview of her current research.  The Kwan Lab studies the molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for giving the eye its proper 3-dimensional structure, using zebrafish as a model system and a combination of multidimensional imaging, computational approaches, and molecular genetics.  These efforts allow us to understand how the eye establishes its normal shape and how this goes awry in disease.  Dr. Kwan is a Professor of Human Genetics and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Science.  She received her B.S. from Stanford and her doctorate in cell and systems biology from Harvard University.  She has been on the faculty at the Moran Eye Center since 2015.  Read more about Dr. Kwan and her appointment as Vice Chair here and about her lab at this wonderful website.  See event details and register here.

This year holds an incredibly special place in our hearts as we reach an extraordinary milestone: officially surpassing $1 million in scholar awards distributed to the University of Utah. This achievement is a direct reflection of our members' generosity, passion and commitment to advancing scientific innovation in Utah. Together, the ARCS Utah Chapter is fueling the breakthroughs of tomorrow by supporting the brilliant minds of today. We are looking forward to an exciting year focusing on increasing our membership, expanding our donor network and re-engaging with our scholar alumni.