Lee and Lee honored with prestigious Cogan Award
Researchers recognized for impactful contributions to vision science, ophthalmology research

WashU Medicine ophthalmology researchers Aaron Y. Lee, MD, (left) and Cecilia Lee, MD, received the Cogan Award from the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology for their contributions to vision science and ophthalmic research.
Aaron Y. Lee, MD, the Arthur W. Stickle Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and head of the John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at WashU Medicine, and Cecilia Lee, MD, the Jane Hardesty Poole Distinguished Professor, have been honored with the Cogan Award in recognition of their impactful contributions to vision science and ophthalmic research.
This prestigious award, presented by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), highlights exceptional work that propels the field forward through innovative methods and collaborative leadership. Their recognition underscores WashU Medicine’s leadership in combining clinical excellence, innovative research and collaborative science to address some of the most challenging questions in vision care.
Lee and Lee harness large-scale data, machine learning and advanced analytics to elucidate complex patterns in eye disease and vision loss, while also leveraging the eye as a non-invasive window into systemic health — a field known as oculomics. Their research emphasizes equitable access to data and analytic tools, ensuring that discoveries benefit diverse populations and accelerate real-world translational impact.
Read more on the department’s website.