Macular Degeneration Foundation (MDF) was founded as a 501c3 tax-exempt charitable medical
research and educational foundation dedicated to:
"Research to Restore Vision"
Macular Degeneration is a degenerative disease that robs young and old of central vision. As a result,
children face a lifetime of uncertainty and elders risk the early loss of an independent life. In addition to the support of long-term efforts in the fields of Stem Cell and
Genetic research for an ultimate cure, we are particularly interested in promising near-term, scientific studies designed to inhibit the progression of macular degeneration and
restore a measurable amount of vision to all.
Founder / Board Chairman / CEO
Dr. Edmund J. Aleksandrovichis Founder and CEO of the Macular Degeneration
Foundation, Inc. Ed has been central vision legally blind in both eyes due to macular degeneration since 1990. As a result he has lost the cherished ability to pursue his
avid interest in tennis, fly fishing, reading, driving and playing racquetball.
Ed is a graduate electrical engineer, with a Masters in Business Administration and a Ph.D in
Philosophy. Over the course of a long productive business career he has been Chairman and CEO of several US and international companies. Ed, in partnership with a friend, developed
the first instant slow motion replay video systems for television. Most major league sports teams and the majority of high speed manufacturing enterprises worldwide purchased this
patented system. After selling his company, Ed became Chairman and President of the Laser International Corporation, a business consulting and electronics marketing company that
served clients on four continents. Since 1991 he has been totally dedicated to the Macular Degeneration Foundation.
President and Director of Operations
"Liz" Trauernicht is President of the Foundation. In addition to her administrative responsibilities, Ms. Trauernicht interviews key professionals
(e.g. Researchers, Study Trial Coordinators, & CEO's of Pharmaceutical Companies); attends medical seminars &
conferences at Harvard University, ARVO, AAO, & Envision; reports her findings in the Foundation's Newsletter
(with a readership of over 22,000); and answers the Foundation's toll-free telephone lines to help victims of MD advocate for themselves.
Director of Basic Science Research
Philip Filner, PhD., is
Director of Basic Science Research for the Foundation. A graduate of John Hopkins University (B.A. in Biophysics) and CalTech (Ph. D. in Biochemsitry), Dr. Filner was on
the faculty of the Department of Biochemistry at Michigan State University from 1965 - 1981, as full Professor from 1973.
The author of 50 peer-reviewed scientific papers, Dr. Filner then entered industry where he developed and
managed scientific research programs as Associate Director for ARCO Plant Cell Research Lab in Dublin, California. He then became Director of Molecular Biology for Sungene
Technologies in San Jose. He subsequently led proof-of-concept efforts applying DNA amplification techniques to solving problems of commercial animal and plant breeding as Vice
President for Research & Development of Correlation Genetics. He also developed tests for human infectious diseases as scientist for Roche Molecular Systems in Alameda, California
and led part of a large team of bio-scientists and engineers in the development of an instrument and technology to automate tests for tuberculosis based on DNA amplification for
Becton Dickinson in Sparks, Maryland. Dr. Filner's professional service responsibilities include work on the Grant, Program Review, or Advisory Committees of the National Science
Foundation, the US Department of Agriculture, the Department of Energy and the National Aeronautics and Space Agency. He has additionally served on the Editorial Board of four
scientific journals.
Director of Research Development
David Seftel, M.D., MBAis Executive Vice President and Director of
Research Development for the Foundation, Dr. Seftel, a Board Certified and part-time practicing Internist, trained at Harvard's Beth Israel Hospital and Loyola University
of Chicago. He holds a Masters in Business Administration with graduate honors from
Harvard University. He was previously Medical Director of the Macular Degeneration Task Force, an
educational foundation that improved public awareness of the scope, scale and implications of the problem posed by macular degeneration. He currently serves as medical management
consultant to hospitals and health systems worldwide and as faculty advisor to the Executive Education Program at Harvard Business School.
Director & Vice President
Willard V. (Bill) Harris, Jr.has a long and distinguished association with Whittier college.
He was named athlete of the year in 1955, the year he graduated with a B.A. in chemistry. Mr. Harris has served as a trustee of Whittier college for the past 25
years and is currently vice chairman of the board.
Bill is chairman and a trustee of the Brethren Manor Senior Care Center in Long Beach, California. He also
serves on the Board of Directors for the Prentice School for dyslexic children in Santa Ana, California and is president of Harris Taylor Management in Santa Ana.
As a person with macular degeneration, Bill is dedicated to "Research to Restore Vision" which is the
goal of the Macular Degeneration Foundation. He resides with his wife, Harriet, in Newport Beach, California.
Vice President and Assitant Director of Operations
Julie Zavala
is Vice President and Assitant Director of Operations for the Foundation. She has15 years experience working in the medical field that include positions as a certified ophthalmic assistant, satellite office manager and a private surgical assistant for a prominent ophthalmologist / retinal specialist.
Julie has also served as an insurance billing manager for a 350 bed hospital and started a company offering
business office support to hospitals.
Vice President
Keith Colgan
is Vice President of the Foundation. Keith earned a Bachelor of Science degree from San Diego State University in 1969. He helped to develop and market the first slow motion videotape system to major domestic and foreign manufacturers in the 1970's, introduced cellular communications to California's Central Valley in the 1980's, and pioneered the application of Internet technologies to the business community in the 1990's.
