1984

A private charitable foundation, the Eye Research Institute of Canada (ERIC), begins fundraising for vision research in Toronto.

1991

Under the leadership of founding Chair, Dr. William P. Callahan, the ERIC Board signs an agreement with the University of Toronto and The Toronto Hospital, launching ERIC as a research and training program within the University.

1992

Dr. Robert Mitchell becomes Chair of the ERIC Board of Directors.

1993

ERIC opens 20,000 square feet of laboratory, library and administrative space in the Toronto Western Hospital. Its founding Director, biophysicist Dr. John Stevens, establishes the genetics of blinding eye diseases as a major focus.

1994

Visible Genetics, a company focused on the genetics of eye disease is launched at ERIC under Dr. Stevens' leadership. In 1997 when Dr. Stevens steps down, ERIC receives shares of Visible Genetics in return for the intellectual property he developed as Director.

1996

Dr. Brenda Gallie becomes ERIC Director with a focus on the genetics of retinoblastoma, a rare childhood cancer. Her subsequent research leads to astounding improvements in diagnosis and treatment of the condition.

1997

Dr. Martin J. Steinbach, a vision scientist with close ties to ophthalmology, is appointed Director. Dr. Steinbach guides the program for 16 years through institutional changes that dramatically expand the program and its capacity to train emerging scientists.

1998

Donald K. Johnson, Vice Chairman of Nesbitt Burns, becomes Chair of the ERIC Board of Directors. He begins negotiations with the Dean of Medicine, Dr. Arnie Aberman, to transform this private charity into the Vision Science Research Program.

1999

The Vision Science Research Program (VSRP) is jointly created by the University Health Network and the University of Toronto with greatly enhanced capacity to support graduate trainees. A $17.25 million endowment fund is created by matching funds from ERIC’s Visible Genetics shares, with contributions from the University of Toronto and the province. It supports VSRP activities across the University of Toronto.

2000

The Vision Science Research Program begins its expanded fellowship program for MSc and PhD students. Over the next 15 years, the program invests over $6.5 million in the training of 154 individuals.

2013

Dr. Valerie Wallace becomes Director of the Vision Science Research Program. She holds the Donald K. Johnson Endowed Chair in Vision Science Research.