Eyes Around the World – A Global Day of Learning

Dr. Amanda Blankenship

Dr. Amanda Blankenship was born in southwest Virginia and works at the University of Pikeville (UPIKE) Kentucky College of Optometry and the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine. She holds a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Radford University and a PharmD from the Appalachian College of Pharmacy. Teaching in pharmacology is a passion for her, and she feels blessed to be able to work in a field where service and people are the at the core.  

Dr. Blankenship has taught at multiple levels of education for 12 years and has loved each level. Working as an assistant professor in pharmacology at UPIKE is her primary role, but she still works as needed as a staff pharmacist at a local independent pharmacy. Between the two careers in pharmacy, she volunteers within her institution and within her community. 

Dr. Elizabeth Wyles

Dr. Wyles is an assistant professor ICO and is the Primary Care Educational Coordinator. She received her optometry degree from the Southern California College of Optometry and completed a residency in hospital-based primary care optometry at the Crownpoint Indian Health Care Facility in Crownpoint, New Mexico. Dr. Wyles is an attending optometrist in the Primary Care Service of the Illinois Eye Institute and teaches several didactic and elective courses. She has authored papers and co-authored a chapter in a textbook. She has participated extensively with the National Board of Examiners in Optometry as a committee member for the Applied Basic Science Exam and previously served as the ICO site coordinator for the Clinical Skills Examination. Dr. Wyles is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. 

Dr. Allison Cronin

Dr. Allison Cronin is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Rosenberg School of Optometry. She grew up in San Antonio and completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a bachelor’s degree in Biology and a minor in Spanish. Dr. Cronin graduated from optometry school at the Rosenberg School of Optometry (RSO) and continued her education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry where she completed a Family Practice Residency. Dr. Cronin is a licensed therapeutic optometrist and optometric glaucoma specialist. She is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry. She joined RSO in 2015 and is currently a clinical instructor and serves as Chief of the Sports and Vision Performance Service. 

Dr. Stephanie L. Adams

After earning a bachelor’s degree at the University of Central Florida, Dr. Adams obtained her OD/PhD dual degree through New England College of Optometry and Boston University, conducting research on the protein expression of novel genetic associations with late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. With an interest in ocular pathology, Dr. Adams completed a residency at the West Roxbury Boston VA Hospital. She then joined ICO as an assistant professor and clinical faculty member. 

Dr. Jia Jia Lek

Dr. Jia Jia Lek is an educator, optometrist and vision researcher. Jia Jia graduated from Singapore Polytechnic with a Diploma in Optometry with merit. She then pursued a Bachelor of Optometry in the University of Melbourne and returned to Singapore and worked as a senior optometry lecturer. In her time in Singapore Polytechnic, she enjoyed her role in educating both optometrists and opticians. She also played an active role in local and overseas community eye screening projects. Jia Jia then returned to Melbourne and obtained her Postgraduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics, and gained her PhD from the University of Melbourne for investigating contrast processing in early glaucoma. She was a post-doctoral fellow at the Centre of Eye Research Australia with her research focused on identifying early changes and treatment methods in age-related macular degeneration. She is currently lecturing in the Doctor of Optometry program in the University of Melbourne. 

Ms. Germaine Chua

Germaine Chua, BSc, is the Course Chair of the Diploma in Optometry program. She oversees the academic quality and planning of the program. She has a keen interest in education and contact lenses, earning a Master of Education, Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education and a Specialist Certificate – Management of Contact Lens Patients, and also being a Fellow, International Association of Contact Lens Educators (IACLE). She has also received the WSQ Advanced Certificate in Training and Assessment (ACTA). 

Dr. Anuradha Narayanan

Dr. Anuradha Narayanan is currently the Principal of Elite School of Optometry, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India. She is also the Program in charge for School children eye health and Community Optometry projects run by Sankara Nethralaya. Dr Anuradha Narayanan obtained her graduation from Elite School of Optometry, and doctorate from SASTRA University. 

Her doctorate work was on improving the school children’s eye health. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and obtained her PG Dip in Health Economics from the Public Health Foundation of India and Fellowship in Dispensing from the Association of British Dispensing, UK. Prior to taking up teaching and community activities at Sankara Nethralaya, Dr Narayanan was the Optometrist-in- charge of the LASIK clinic at Sankara Nethralaya, India from 1998. 

She was instrumental in Sankara Nethralaya receiving the ‘SN Shah Vision 2020 award’ for her services towards woman and child eye health. She is the recipient of the “Best Researcher in Optometry” – Dr Narasimhan Memorial Award and “Best Researcher – Clinical Science in Ophthalmology” – Ruby Banik Award 2016-17. She is also the awardee of the ”Woman of the Year-2019”, ‘Outstanding Optometrist of the year award, Best Junior Faculty 2009-10 and Best Senior Faculty Award 2015-16 from Medical Research Foundation. Apart, she is also the recipient of various community service awards and maximum eye donation pledges. She is the Nehru-Fulbright Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) awardee for the year 2014. She is also the recipient of various Grants for the community outreach activities. She has various publications to her credit and is also a reviewer. 

Dr. Jessica Neuville

Dr. Jessica Neuville received her Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and completed a residency in ocular disease and low vision. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and member of the Hong Kong Society of Professional Optometrists. Dr. Neuville is currently a Clinical Associate at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, School of Optometry. She teaches courses in Clinical Optometry, General and Ocular Pharmacology, and Ocular Pathology. She is currently working on developing new virtual teaching and learning tools to enhance optometry education. 

Ms. Lim Hui Shan

Ms. Hui Shan Lim joined the School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Singapore Polytechnic (SP) as an optometry lecturer in 2011 and is currently responsible for managing the optometry academic staff.  Before joining SP, she was practising as an optometrist in both clinical and retail settings. Driven by a passion for optometry and teaching, she decided to join Singapore Polytechnic upon completing her BSc (Hons) in Optometry from the University of Manchester and has been teaching since then.  

Hui Shan’s unique way of teaching through edutech tools, personal stories and creative use of analogies to interact and help students understand challenging concepts won the hearts of many students. Her innovative and engaging teaching methods won her the SP Excellence in Teaching Award in 2016 and 2021. 

Dr. Krithica Srinivasan

Dr. Krithica Srinivasan is working as associate professor at department of Optometry, Manipal College of Health Professions, MAHE. She has obtained her BS and MPhil in Optometry from Elite School of Optometry, a unit of Medical Research Foundation affiliated to BITS Pilani. She has completed her PhD from MAHE in the area of Pattern related visual stress and learning disability. She has a decade of clinical, research and academic experience. She is a recipient of “Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER)” fellowship and also Australian Endeavour fellowship. She is a faculty member at MAHE-FAIMER institute. She has also completed a certificate course on Teaching-Learning from MGH institute of Health Professions, Boston. She has been involved in several Interprofessional-projects which led to few intellectual properties in the form of copy rights, patents and also research publications. Her areas of expertise are Binocular vision, Pediatric optometry, development of vision related tools and curriculum development. 

Dr. Andrew Lam

Dr. Andrew Lam graduated from the then Hong Kong Polytechnic with a Professional Diploma in Optometry. After working in a private optometric practice for two years, he returned to the then Hong Kong Polytechnic working as a Research Assistant and later obtained his Masters and PhD degrees from the Department of Optometry, University of Bradford, in the UK. He is now the Programme Leader of the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Optometry at the School of Optometry, PolyU.

Dr Lam’s research interests include the study of cornea, ocular blood flow, intraocular pressure, optical coherence tomography, and OCT angiography. He has published in many scientific journals, including Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, Clinical and Experimental Optometry, Scientific Reports, and Optometry and Vision Science. He teaches Ocular Pathology and Ocular Pharmacology for the BSc (Hons) in Optometry at PolyU.

Professor Monica Chaudhry

Professor Monica Chaudhry  is a consultant optometrist and Educator who has experience of more than 3 decades  as academic and clinical experience. She has recently moved out to be a freelancer educationist , strategy advisor and practitioner with extraordinary skills in optometry education . She is now the founder of an online optometry upskilling education platform “Learn beyond Vision.”. She  has also  instituted some centers of excellence and vision centers ,which aim to be unique referral, academic and research units. Her name is well-known as a contact lens and low vision specialist and has patient referral from far and wide. She is the Advisor and Adjunct Professor in Optometry School of G D Goenka University.

Chaudhry has served at All India Institute of Medical Sciences , Delhi .She also had academic experience with School IGNOU University  and Amity University and has recently retired as Director of School of Health sciences , Ansal University.   She has been associated with leading eye care industries like Menicon, Johnson and Johnson, Baush+Lomb, Alcon, Essilor, etc. as a key opinion leader, faculty, consultant, or an advisor.

In recognition to her contribution to the field of academic’s medical service she has been awarded the “Shreshtshree Award. “by the Delhi citizen forum and Australian Leadership Fellowship Award in 2012 and in 2015 she was awarded the IACLE Contact Lens Educator of the Year ( Asia Pacific ) award.

She was  the Chairman of Optometry Council of India .She has been appointed as the task force of curriculum development by ministry of Health and Family welfare. She has been actively involved in organizing conferences, seminars, national and international workshops, faculty development programs and many corporate training programs. She has chaired many scientific sessions and presented many papers in National/ international Optometry and Ophthalmology conferences. She has travelled abroad extensively and attended many international trainings and conferences. She has written chapters in books and published three books .

Dr. Jameel Rizwana Hussaindeen

Dr. Jameel Rizwana Hussaindeen (alias Rizwana) has just taken over as the Head of Rivoli vision Academy at the Rivoli Vision, UAE, to lead the strategic planning and functioning of the Academy. Dr. Hussaindeen has been serving as an adjunct faculty at the Sankara Nethralaya Academy, and a visiting consultant at Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai where she was formerly heading the Binocular vision and Vision therapy clinic. Dr. Jameel Rizwana Hussaindeen is currently serving as the president for the Optometric association of Tamil Nanbargal (OATN), the legal association for Optometry in Tamil Nadu, Southern India. Through this role, she has been working towards the advocacy for Optometry to be established as an independent eyecare profession in the state and in the country.  

Dr. Hussaindeen is the first clinical Diplomate from India, in the section of Binocular vision, perception and pediatric Optometry of the American academy of Optometry (AAO) and is the inaugural president for the AAO-India chapter. She is also serving as a consultant for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). Dr. Hussaindeen’s expertise spans across clinical specialties of binocular vision, pediatric optometry, learning related vision problems, cerebral visual impairment, amblyopia, and neuro-optometry.  She serves as a committee member and trainer for the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram’s (RBSK) -Government of India’s initiative in the preparation of a manual for the vision assessment and rehabilitation of cerebral visual impairment (CVI). Dr. Hussaindeen has been involved in the school eye health initiatives for over a decade now. She has earlier served as a mentor to the World council of Optometry’s (WCO) Advocacy for eye health program, and is currently a faculty member for the “Looking Towards the Future: Optometry Program in Advocacy and Leadership (OPAL)” run by the WCO. Her doctoral research pertains to understanding binocular vision anomalies among school children. She has authored the book titled “Keep it single and simple – Binocular vision testing and treatment made easy” along with her mentor Prof. Mitchell Scheiman. Dr. Hussaindeen has many peer-reviewed publications in international journals and also has authored chapters in books. She serves as a reviewer for national and international peer reviewed journals including Optometry and Vision Science, PloS One, BMJ-BJO, Journal of Optometry, Indian journal of Ophthalmology, and Nature-scientific reports. She also serves as a PhD co-supervisor at the Deakin University, Australia, and at the Chitkara University, Chandigarh.  

Dr. Yazan Gammoh

Dr. Yazan Gammoh, a Jordanian optometrist holds a PhD in Optometry & Vision Science and an MSc in Optometry from the University of Bradford, UK. Dr. Gammoh is a Fellow of IACLE and IACLE Educator of the Year 2017 for Europe, Africa and Middle East. Yazan is also a Peter Ackland award winner of the year 2020 and Dubai Conferences Ambassador of the year 2020. Yazan is an Associate Professor and the chairman of optometry department at Ahliyya Amman University, Amman, Jordan and a senior optometrist at Arab East Medical Supply. In addition, he acts as a consultant for Lions Clubs Jordan for eye health care school eye health programs. Yazan’s main clinical interests are management of keratoconus using scleral lenses and low vision rehabilitation.

Dr. Timothy A. Wingert

Dr. Timothy A. Wingert, is a Professor at the University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry and Dean. In addition to being a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, he is a Diplomate in the Section on Public Health and Environmental Vision where he also serves as a Past Chair. He is a Founder Member of the European Academy of Optometry and Optics and one of only three United States optometrists to have earned Fellowship in that organization. He was named a J. William Fulbright Scholar in 2005 and again in 2020 through the program sponsored by the United States Department of State as well as having been named a Fulbright Specialist to Ghana. Before coming to RSO, Dr. Timothy Wingert was a Professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry, where he continues to hold the title of Professor Emeritus. While in Missouri, Dr. Wingert served as President of the Missouri Optometric Association, as well as being named Missouri Optometrist of the Year and St. Louis Optometrist of the Year. He was appointed by the governor to serve on the Missouri Children’s Vision Commission for a four-year term beginning in 2008 and was the chair of the Commission in 2010. He is the Chair of the ASCO International Education Committee. Beyond curriculum development, much of his professional work has centered on access to care issues and providing optometric care to underserved populations. He has authored or co-authored over 100 refereed publications and peer-reviewed presentations, most of which have concentrated on access to care issues and providing Optometric care to populations in need.

Dr. Melissa Vitek

Dr. Melissa Vitek, OD, FAAO graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) in 1995. Dr. Vitek is a current faculty member at PCO and the Dean of International and Continuing Education for Salus University. Dr. Vitek served as the Interim Provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs from May 2018-February 2019. Following completion of Evidence Based Medicine training at Duke University and McMaster University, she became the course coordinator and course instructor for the Evidence Based Practice course at Salus University. As such, she directly participates in educating students enrolled in the Doctor of Optometry, MSc in Clinical Optometry, Doctor of Audiology, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy and physician assistant studies degree programs. Dr. Vitek served on the US Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) Interprofessional Education committee from 2013-2016. She is currently a member of the ASCO International Special Interest Group and the ASCO Continuing Education Special Interest Group. Dr. Vitek served as a member of Salus University’s Interprofessional Education committee from 2011-2018. She is a current chair of a working group for Salus’ Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) accreditation self-study and is a consultant for the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education.  Dr. Vitek also serves as a lecturer in PCO’s Health Care, Professionalism and Diversity course. Additionally, she is the current chair of PCO’s Cultural Competency Contiguity in the Curriculum Advisory Committee.

Dr. Keshia S. Elder

Dr. Keshia Elder is an Associate Professor at the UAB School of Optometry.  She is the course director for Contact Lenses II, the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the Director of the Externship Program.  She is a member of the Nominating Committee of the American Academy of Optometry, an Associate Editor for Optometric Education, Chair of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion SIG, co-Chair of the ASCO Externship SIG and liaison to the ASCO Diversity and Cultural Competency Committee, and the Director of Student Affairs for the National Optometric Association.  

Prof. James Wolffsohn

James S. Wolffsohn, a Professor of Optometry at Aston University since 2000, formerly Deputy Executive Dean for Life Sciences and then associate Pro-Vice Chancellor, is the Head of the School of Optometry. Prior to his appointment to Aston University, Professor Wolffsohn was a Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne in Australia. His main research areas are the development and evaluation of ophthalmic instrumentation, contact lenses, intraocular lenses, and the tear film. He is a National Teaching Fellow, has published more than 275 full peer-reviewed papers and presented at numerous international conferences. He is the academic Chair of the British Contact Lens Association, having been a past president, was a harmoniser and sub-committee chair for TFOS DEWS II and was chair of the BCLA Contact Lens Evidence-based Academic Reports (CLEAR). He is the International Myopia Institute’s Chief Scientific Officer and was joint-Chair of their white papers. 

Dr. Raquel Gil Cazorla 

Dr. Gil Cazorla completed her Degree in Optics and Optometry at the University Complutense of Madrid (1998) in Spain, followed by a Master in Clinical Optometry and Research in Optometry (2008) from the European University of Madrid, a Master of Science in Clinical Optometry (2009) from Salus University and a PhD (2012) from the University Complutense of Madrid looking at refractive eye surgery. 

Dr Gil Cazorla is full time lecturer at Aston University, Birmingham UK, and an active member of the OVSRG, and her work concentrates on visual performance results and ocular anatomy changes of novel anterior eye devices such as contact lenses and intraocular lenses. She also has an extensive clinical experience in contact lenses with a particular interest in their medical use.  

She is author of many publications and an invited speaker at many international meetings. 

Dr. Richard Maharaj

Dr. Richard Maharaj is the current medical director for eyeLABS Center for Ocular Surface Disease, a leading specialty eye care and research facility in Brampton, Ontario. He obtained his Doctor of Optometry from the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and is an active Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. 

He is a clinical adjunct faculty for the University of Waterloo School of Optometry, the Canadian Association of Optometrists Section Chair for Ocular Surface Disease, Editorial Board Member for The Journal of Dry Eye and Ocular Surface Disease, and Chief Education Officer at MyDryEye.ca and co-founder for the Canadian Dry Eye Summit – a national conference dedicated to educating eye doctors in the area of dry eye disease management.  He also serves as the chief scientific officer for AI4Eyes, developing artificial intelligence diagnostics for eye care.. In 2018, he was honored as one of the Top 40 Canadian Optometrists under 40 by Johnson and Johnson Vision Care.  As a published international speaker and clinical scientist on diseases of the ocular surface and the psychology of health care, he remains an active member of both national and international professional associations. 

Dr. Raymond Mabaso

Dr. Raymond Mabaso is a seasoned optometrist who has been in private practice for over 30 years. He is also a senior lecturer at the University of Limpopo. Dr. Mabaso has a Bachelor of Optometry degree from the University of the North, South Africa, Master of Public Health from the University of Limpopo and a Doctor of Literature and Philosophy in health studies from the University of South Africa, among other qualifications. He has also published articles in peer-reviewed journals and serves as the reviewer for the African Vision and Eye Health Journal.

Dr. Mabaso is the South African Optometric Association (SAOA) Ombudsman, a member of the Education and Clinical Standards of the SAOA and Legislation, regulation, and standards committee of African Council of Optometry (AFCO).

Dr. Nicola Logan 

Dr. Nicola Logan is a Professor of Optometry & Physiological Optics in the School of Optometry at Aston University, Birmingham, UK. She is also Director of Research for the Optometry & Vision Science Research Group. Dr. Logan qualified as an optometrist in 1993 and was awarded her PhD on aspects of ocular biometry in anisomyopia from Aston University in 1997. Her research interests are the epidemiology of refractive error, the development and aetiology of myopia and myopia control. Her current research projects span these areas of interest and include The Aston Eye study (investigating the prevalence of refractive error and its associated ocular biometry in a large multi-racial sample of school children in Birmingham, England funded by The College of Optometrists, UK), myopia control in children, and structural and functional aspects of myopia in eyes with ocular pathology. She collaborates with other UK researchers working in the field of myopia as part of the Myopia Consortium UK. 

Dr. Lindsay A. Sicks

Dr. Lindsay Sicks received her OD from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2010 and went on to complete a residency in Cornea and Contact Lenses at Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry where she also was able to perform anterior segment laser and minor surgical procedures. Currently, Dr. Sicks serves as an Associate Professor and attending optometrist for third- and fourth-year interns in the Cornea Center for Clinical Excellence at Illinois College of Optometry. She is also involved in the didactic training of students in specialty contact lenses and ophthalmic surgical procedures including injections, minor surgical procedures, and anterior segment laser therapy. She has delivered continuing education and presented research and posters at both local and national optometry meetings. Dr. Sicks is Chair of the Faculty-Student Liaison Committee for the American Academy of Optometry and also serves on their Leadership Task Force. She is also a member of the Communications Committee for the Association of Optometric Contact Lens Educators and is a Gallup-certified Strengths Coach. 

Dr. Efrain Castellanos

Dr. Castellanos graduated with honors from Xochicalco University School of Optometry in 2003. He started Centro de Desarrollo Visual, an optometry practice focused on specialty services including Pediatrics, Vision Therapy, Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation, Low Vision, and Specialty contact lens fitting. 

He obtained his Fellowship from the College of Optometrist in Vision Development in 2004 (COVD) and he is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.  He completed a Diplomate in Specialization in Vision and Development in 2006, earned a master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences in 2008, and a Ph.D. in education in 2017 where he graduated with honors. 

Dr. Castellanos has served many leadership role positions including President of the College of Optometry in his Alma mater, president of the Baja California Optometric Association, President of the Mexican Council of Behavioral Optometry, Chair of the education committee for the Inland Empire Optometric Association, Chair Interinstitutional and International affairs for the Mexican Association of Faculties School, Colleges and Councils of Optometry (AMFECCO) and currently he is the president of the Latin American Association of Optometry and Optics (ALDOO). 

He has been an optometric educator for 18 years in different disciplines with an emphasis in Pediatrics, Binocular Vision, Vision Therapy, Low Vision, and Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation. Dr. Castellanos is currently full-time faculty at Western University College of Optometry where he serves as Instructor of record for Interprofessional Education and clinical preceptor in the Vision Therapy department. 

___

El Dr. Castellanos se graduó con honores de la Facultad de Optometría de la Universidad de Xochicalco. En 2003. creo el Centro de Desarrollo Visual, un consultorio de optometría enfocada en servicios especializados que incluyen pediatría, terapia visual, rehabilitación neuro-optométrica, baja visión y adaptación de lentes de contacto especiales. 

Obtuvo su Fellowship del College of Optometrist in Vision Development en 2004 (COVD). y es Fellow de la Academia Americana de Optometria.  Es Diplomado en Especialización en Visión y Desarrollo en 2006, obtuvo una maestría en Ciencias Biomédicas en 2008 y un Ph.D. en educación en 2017 donde se graduó con honores. 

El Dr. Castellanos ha ocupado muchos puestos de liderazgo, incluido el de presidente del Colegio de Optometría en su Alma mater, presidente de la Asociación de Optometría de Baja California, presidente del Consejo Mexicano de Optometría del Funcional, Presidente del comité de educación de Inland Empire Optometric Society, Director de Vinculacion(AMFECCO) y actualmente es presidente de la Asociación Latinoamericana de Optometría y Óptica (ALDOO). 

Ha sido educador en optometría durante 18 años en diferentes disciplinas con énfasis en Pediatría, Visión Binocular, Terapia Visual, Baja Visión y Rehabilitación Neuro-Optométrica. 

Actualmente es profesor de tiempo completo en la Facultad de Optometría de la Western University of Health Sciences , donde se desempeña como Instructor en jefe de Educación Interprofesional y profesor clínico en el departamento de Terapia de la Visión. 

Dr. Carol Violet Pinzón Mora

Dr. Carol Violet Pinzón Mora is an optometrist by profession who has had the opportunity to train in the areas of Management and Strategic Direction, with experience in terms of University Academic Quality and Management of Substantive Functions in Higher Education, with a view to Qualified Registration and Accreditation. She is a human, charismatic, committed and responsible person, with skills for teamwork and process analysis.

___

Soy una optómetra de profesión que ha tenido la oportunidad de formarse en ámbitos de Gerencia y Dirección Estratégica, con experiencia en términos de Calidad Académica Universitaria y gestión de las funciones sustantivas en educación superior, con miras al Registro Calificado y Acreditación. Soy una persona humana, carismática, comprometida y responsable, con habilidades para el trabajo en equipo y análisis de procesos.

Dr. Nadiuska Cristine Platero Alvarado

Dr. Nadiuska Cristine Platero Alvarado received her Doctor of Optometry degree from Universidad especializada de las Américas, Panama,  Master’s Degree in Optometry and Vision with specialization in Visual Biochemistry and Visual Neuroscience from the Complutense University of Madrid and another Master’s Degree in Visual Rehabilitation from the University of Valladolid. Dr Alvarado is a Predoctoral Researcher in the Department of Optometry and Vision at the Complutense University of Madrid and a Fellow of SENACYT-Panama. She has co-authored the chapter ‘Training reading skills in central field loss patients. Impact of clinical advances and new technologies to improve reading ability’ in the book ‘Visual Impairment and Blindness – What We Know and What We Have to Know’, ISBN 978-1-83880-258-5.

___

• Licenciatura en doctor en optometría por la Universidad especializada de las Américas Panamá.
• Maestría oficial en Optometría y Visión con especialización en Bioquímica Visual y especialización en Neurociencia Visual por la Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
• Maestría oficial en Rehabilitación visual por la Universidad de Valladolid.
• Investigadora Predoctoral del departamento de Optometría y visión en la Universidad Complutense de Madrid, becaria por la SENACYT-Panamá.

Co-autora del capítulo del libro “Training reading skills in central field loss patients. Impact of clinical advances and new technologies to improve reading ability” en el libro Visual Impairment and Blindness – What We Know and What We Have to Know”. ISBN 978-1-83880-258-5.

Dr. Marcela Herrera Frazier

Dr. Marcela Herrera Frazier is originally from Colombia.  She works at the University Of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, pediatrics division, as an Associate Professor.  She graduated from the University Of Central Florida with a degree in Molecular Biology.  She went to the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, where she completed a Doctor of Optometry degree, and a pediatric residency. She also completed a Master’s degree in Public Health in Epidemiology at UAB.  She is Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. She is part of Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH) and has lead her students on several mission trips with to Nicaragua, Peru, Honduras, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, and Colombia. She has been an investigator for several National Eye Institute (NEI) Studies, including the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG), The Correction of Myopia Evaluation Trial II (COMET II) and the Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial (CITT).

___

La Doctora Marcela Herrera Frazier es colombiana.  Ella es profesora asociada de la Escuela de Medicina de la Universidad de Alabama en Birmingham (UAB) en el Departamento de Oftalmología, división de pediatría. Ella se graduó de la Universidad de Central Florida en Biología Molecular.  Luego obtuvo su Doctorado en Optometría en la Universidad de Alabama en Birmingham, donde también termino la residencia en Optometría Pediátrica y la Maestría en Salud Publica en Epidemiología.  Ella es Fellow de la Academia americana de Optometría.  Ella es parte de Voluntarios de Optometría al Servicio de la Humanidad (VOSH) y ha llevado a sus estudiantes a varias brigadas de salud visual en Nicaragua, Perú, Honduras, Costa Rica, Venezuela,  República Dominicana, y Colombia. Ella ha sido investigadora de varios proyectos del Instituto Nacional del Ojo (NEI) como el  Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG), The Correction of Myopia Evaluation Trial (COMET) y el Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial (CITT).

Dr. Jairo Antonio Mercado

Dr. Jairo Antonio Mercado, MSc, OD, graduated in the Bachelor of Medical Optometry in 2015, coursed a master’s degree in Methods of Scientific Research and is currently a doctoral student in Quality Management in Scientific Research, UNAN-Managua.

He is a member of VOSH-I since 2014, organizing 7 clinical brigades in rural areas of Nicaragua. He currently fulfills the functions of: Professor in Faculty of Medical Sciences. UNAN-Managua, President of the Foundation for Eye Care, Member of the Committee on Education, Legislation and Public Health of ALDOO, Faculty VOSH-I for Nicaragua (Chapter SVOSH-UNAN), Project Coordinator of Vision and Education, a Vision without Limits (Nicaragua), Alternate Member in the Association of Optometrists and Contactologists of Nicaragua and Coordinator of dissemination and projection in Faculty of Sciences – Medical UNAN-Managua.

In 2020, he was awarded by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) with the title of Hero of Visual Health 2020 in the category of Future Leaders, He currently coordinates the vision and education visual health campaign, a vision without limits in Nicaragua.

___

Jairo Antonio Mercado, MSc, OD, se graduó en la Licenciatura de Optometría Médica en 2015, curso una maestría en métodos de la investigación Científica y actualmente es doctorando en Gestión de la calidad en Investigación Científica, UNAN-Managua.
 
Ha sido miembro de VOSH-I desde 2014, organizando 7 brigadas clinicas en zonas rurales del nicaragua. Actualmente cumple las funciones de docente en Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. UNAN-Managua, Presidente de Fundación para el cuido del ojo, Miembro del comité de Educación, Legislación y Salud Publica. ALDOO, Facultativo VOSH-I para Nicaragua (Capitulo SVOSH-UNAN), Coordinador de proyecto Visión y educación, una visión sin Limites (Nicaragua), Vocal suplente en asociación de optometristas y contactólogos de Nicaragua y Coordinador de divulgación y proyección en Facultad de Ciencias – Médicas UNAN-Managua.
 
En 2020 fue galardonado por la Agencia Internacional de Prevención de la Ceguera con el título de Héroe de la Salud Visual 2020 en la categoría de Futuros Líderes, actualmente coordina la campaña de salud visual visión y educación, una visión sin límites en Nicaragua.

Dr. Emiliano Terán

Dr. Emiliano Terán is a professor and scientific researcher of the Optometry Program and the Faculty of Physical-Mathematical Sciences of the Autonomous University of Sinaloa. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and got a Ph.D. in Physical Optics. Currently, he is the Co-Chair of the Education Committee of the Latina American Association of Optometry and Optics (ALDOO), and a member of the Public Health Committee of ALDOO as well. He is also a member of the Diversity Initiative Committee of the Association for Research for Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO). He is also an advisor for the Latin-American Region of the Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH) International. He is a published author of scientific manuscripts and books in optometry.

___

El Dr. Terán es docente e investigador científico del Programa de Optometría y de la Facultad de Ciencias Físico-Matemáticas de la Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa. Estudió la Licenciatura en Física, la Maestría en Ciencias en Óptica Física y el Doctorado en Ciencias en Óptica Física en el Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada. Actualmente es Coordinador del Comité de Educación de Asociación Latinoamericana de Optometría y Óptica, además miembro de su Comité de Salud Publica. Así como asesor para el área de  América Latina de VOSH/Internacional. Ha publicado artículos de investigación y 4 libros.