Michael Abràmoff, a University of Iowa physician and scientist who successfully developed new technology to enhance the detection of eye disease in people affected by diabetes, will participate in two Congressional briefings on Wednesday, Oct. 25.

Abràmoff and his Iowa City–based company, IDx, an early stage medical diagnostics company that uses artificial intelligence (AI), will join a panel of companies that were spun out of U.S. research universities.

“I am proud that an advanced technology company like IDx was born out of cutting-edge research at the University of Iowa,” says University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld. “In order to continue improving society, we need to keep investing in basic science research, which is a core mission at the University of Iowa.”

Based on over 20 years of research, Abràmoff founded IDx with the goal of increasing health care productivity and commercializing an automated diagnostic tool for diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of preventable blindness. IDx has worked closely with the FDA for five years to prove the technology is safe and effective for use on the front lines of patient care.

“I came to the University of Iowa from the Netherlands because it has one of the preeminent ophthalmology programs in the world,” says Abràmoff. “I was able to further my research at Iowa through NIH and USDA funding and by collaborating with other clinician-scientists in the University’s vibrant research community.”

IDx employs more than 20 people.

The congressional briefings were organized by the Science Coalition, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to sustainable federal investment in scientific research, to showcase how research-based companies that were started at universities are contributing to society and stimulating the economy.

Abràmoff is participating in two Congressional briefings. The first is sponsored by the House R&D Caucus, co-chaired by Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Va., and Rep. Bill Foster, D-Ill., from noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 25 in the Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2043.

The second is sponsored by the Senate Competitiveness Caucus, co-chaired by Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Congressional Visitors Center, Room S-210.