Former New York governor to speak at Upstate Medical symposium on Friday

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Former New York Gov. David Paterson will deliver the keynote address at a symposium celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Center for Vision Research at Upstate Medical University.

The symposium is set for Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Everson Museum of Art at 401 Harrison St. in Syracuse.

The event is open to the public. Paterson will deliver his remarks at 5:45 p.m.

Paterson is the first legally blind person to serve as governor of a U.S. state. He served as governor of New York from March 17, 2008 to Dec. 31, 2010. He is also the first African American to serve as governor of New York.

Paterson’s voice is “important to hear,” William Brunken, professor and vice chair for research, ophthalmology and visual sciences and director of the Center for Vision Research, said.

“As a Center devoted to understanding vision and looking for cures for blindness, we are pleased to have David Paterson as our keynote speaker,” Brunken said. “His message at overcoming obstacles throughout life is an important one for us all to hear.”

Paterson now serves as a professor of health care and public policy at Touro College in Harlem. He’s also the author of :Black, Blind and In Charge: A story of Visionary Leadership and Overcoming Adversity.”

In addition to Paterson’s presentation, the symposium will include presentations by researchers from across the country. They include individuals from Upstate Medical University, National Institutes of Health, Harvard Medical School, University of California at Berkeley, and Washington University, among others, per Upstate Medical’s announcement.

Presentations will report on progress using genetics to improve glaucoma treatments; optic-nerve injury; retinal disease; neuronal degeneration; the role circadian rhythms in vision and translational vision science; and an examination of the future funding for vision research, among other issues.