The Atwell Award is given annually to a young investigator whose research in the area of low vision is presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO). The recipient is selected from nominations made to the Program Committee of the Low Vision Research Group. Selection is based on the quality and promise of the research.

A young investigator is defined as a graduate student, post-postdoctoral researcher, or junior faculty member with less than 5 years since his or her last doctoral degree. To qualify the young  investigator must be the first author on an abstract accepted for presentation at ARVO.  The topic of the presentation must be related  to vision impairment or vision rehabilitation research.  To be  considered for the Atwell Award, one of the authors must submit the  abstract for consideration by the Low Vision Research Group.  This is  done by e-mailing the abstract to the current Chair of the selection  committee, J. Vernon Odom, Ph.D. (jodom@wvu.edu).  At least 2 weeks  prior to ARVO, a final electronic version of the presentation must be submitted, preferably by e-mail to the current Chair of the selection  committee, J. Vernon Odom, Ph.D. (jodom@wvu.edu). During ARVO, the selection committee will  meet with candidates and make a final selection.  The award is  announced at the Low Vision Research Group social.  The Award consists of a plaque and a $500 award. The check for the award is mailed to the recipient after  ARVO.

The Atwell Award is named in honor of Dr. Constance W. Atwell. While a member of the staff of the National Eye Institute, Dr. Atwell was instrumental in the formation of the Low Vision Research Group. She played a pivotal role in encouraging and motivating high quality low-vision research.

Atwell award winner 2007: Jessica Huber, University of Waterloo "Self-reported Visual Function and Quality of Life following the Adoption of a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Device for Low Vision"

The 2007 Atwell Award was sponsored by:

LowVision.com (gold sponsor)

Good Lite (silver sponsor)

Enhanced Vision (silver sponsor)

EnVision (silver sponsor)