Manchin, Capito Announce $11 Million for Vision Research at West Virginia University

Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), both members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $11,000,000 through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) program to West Virginia University (WVU). This funding will support research at WVU to develop innovative ways to prevent, treat, and slow the progression of vision problems that are currently incurable.

“WVU continues to be a national leader in groundbreaking research and contributes to important advancements in the medical field. West Virginia has the second highest rate of visual disabilities in the country, which is why I am pleased NIH is investing in this vital research to prevent and treat vision issues for West Virginians and Americans,” Senator Manchin said. “I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of this funding and as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for resources to support medical research across the Mountain State.”

“Time and time again, WVU proves to be a leader in research fields that can greatly impact the health and wellbeing of people in our state. Back in 2015, I hosted NIH leaders in Morgantown to highlight the research being done at WVU, and I’m proud this relationship is bearing fruit for West Virginia and WVU. It’s great to see NIH and NIGMS recognizing WVU for its achievement in vision research, as this is just the second university in the country to receive this level of support,” Senator Capito said. “Visual disability is an impairment that disproportionality impacts our state, and I’m glad to see WVU taking steps to not only treat these conditions, but prevent them from happening in the first place.”