UC Irvine has received a transformative $15 million gift from the Brunson Foundation, led by James and Cynthia DeBoard, to name and support the newly established Brunson Center for Translational Vision Research. Located within the state-of-the-art Falling Leaves Foundation Medical Innovation Building, the center will be directed by renowned vision scientist Krzysztof Palczewski, PhD with Chair of the department of Ophthalmology, Baruch Kuppermann, MD, PhD serving as clinical co-director.
The donation honors the late entrepreneur and philanthropist Robert M. Brunson, who experienced vision loss later in life. Of the total gift, $5 million will complete the construction of the medical innovation building, while $10 million will create a permanent endowment to fund cutting-edge research into blinding diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, and retinitis pigmentosa.
The Brunson Center is designed to foster collaboration among scientists and clinicians, accelerating the translation of lab discoveries into life-changing therapies. With a focus on gene therapy and noninvasive imaging, the center aims to revolutionize treatment for inherited eye disorders and contribute to broader genetic disease research. This investment positions UC Irvine as a national leader in vision science and exemplifies the university’s commitment to innovation and patient care.