The Commercialization Gap Fund awarded funding to WSU scientist, Kuen-Ren “Roland” Chen, for developing an improved method for treating age-related eye diseases. 

Chen, an assistant professor in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, is developing a method that helps reduce the frequency of intravitreal injections needed to treat macular degeneration and other age-related eye diseases. His project was one of nine that received funding from the CGF at WSU, according to a WSU Insider article.

Researchers are awarded up to $40,000 to help their projects make an economic impact, according to the article. 

The CGF was re-established in 2014 and has awarded more than $3.09 million, funding over 70 projects. The projects that are funded have high market potential and societal impact, according to the article.