UAB School of Optometry

03/21/2026

The Vision Science Research Center hosted a biennial retreat featuring a keynote address by Michael Chiang, MD, director of the National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health. The retreat also highlighted the breadth of vision research at UAB through brief faculty presentations and a poster session by graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, reinforcing VSRC’s mission to foster collaboration and advance discoveries that improve eye health and patient care. Read the full story>https://www.uab.edu/optometry/home/about/news/research-and-innovation/vsrc-retreat-features-keynote-by-nei-director-michael-chiang

03/17/2026

The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) has named Ellen Antwi-Adjei, OD, MPH, a Vision Science Graduate Program PhD candidate, the recipient of the 2026 Emerging Advocate Award. The honor recognizes ARVO members who have dedicated their careers to advancing eye and vision research through advocacy at all levels.

“To me, advocacy is not peripheral to science — it is essential,” she said. “It ensures that discoveries leave the laboratory and reach those who need them most. Receiving ARVO’s Emerging Advocate Award affirms that the voices of early career scientists are critical in shaping the future of vision research and eye health policy.”

ARVO has named Ellen Antwi-Adjei, OD, MPH, a Vision Science Graduate Program PhD candidate, the recipient of the 2026 Emerging Advocate Award.

03/17/2026

Congratulations to the Class of 2029 on your White Coat Ceremony!

03/12/2026

Students traveled to Montgomery on Tuesday to participate in Legislative Day, an annual event focused on advocacy and professional engagement. The experience gave students the opportunity to learn more about the legislative process, observe discussions related to health care.

This event supports the commitment to preparing future optometrists to be informed and active participants in issues that shape the profession. We thank the Alabama Optometric Association for sponsoring this program.

03/05/2026

The Class of 2025 showed strong support for their former classmates and current residents during this year’s Residents Day. Their presence and encouragement highlighted the continuity of community within UABSO, as students transition to colleagues and celebrate each other’s growth within the profession.

03/04/2026

We had an outstanding turnout at the SECO alumni reception, where students, faculty, staff, and alumni gathered for an evening of connection and collaboration. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the reception a success!

02/26/2026

Residents Day is always one of the most meaningful moments on our academic calendar, and last weekend reminded us why. Our residents continue to impress with their dedication, curiosity, and clinical excellence, all core to the UAB School of Optometry’s mission.

Our residents make a real impact on patient care and on the education of our students. Their presentations reflected rigorous clinical experience, thoughtful inquiry, and the support of faculty and residency supervisors who help guide their growth.

To our 2025–2026 residents: thank you for your professionalism, energy, and contributions. And thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating their work!

02/25/2026

Madelynn Ebersole, Class of 2028, has been selected as the recipient of the AOA’s Optometry Cares/Silhouette Scholarship, an honor recognizing academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to advancing the future of eye care. The scholarship is awarded to an outstanding optometry student who exemplifies innovation and a dedication to the profession.

02/19/2026

Tim Gawne, PhD, has received a patent for a novel lens design that changes the chromatic structure of light in ways that may help slow the progression of myopia in children.
The technology supports research into how the eye judges focus and regulates its growth. When that process fails, the eye can grow too long, leading to myopia and an increased risk of sight threatening disease. This work aims to identify the visual signals that guide healthy eye growth so new treatments can be developed.

Gawne collaborated with Thomas Norton, PhD, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Optometry and Vision Science, a leading expert with decades of experience in the field. Gawne and Norton were also honored with Patent Coins from UAB’s Bill L. Harbert Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in recognition of this achievement.

Patent protection helps attract industry partners who can invest in further development, clinical trials, and future patient care.

02/17/2026

Dr. Kathy Weise shared this amazing story! The composite is from 1997, and she has kept it because it represents her first graduating class. Her mother and father were both educators, and each kept a picture of their first class, so holding on to this photo continues a meaningful family tradition.

Emma Katherine, a current student, is the daughter of Dr. John Williams, who appears in the bottom right corner. Dr. Kristine Hopkins is in the top left. It is especially meaningful for Dr. Weise to see these connections come back around in such a full circle moment.
She says we are now officially second generation.

Her father used to tell her that you know you are getting older when you start teaching the children of people you once taught. She always said she would never reach that point because her students were twenty five, and then they would need to have a twenty five year old. And yet, here we are!

02/15/2026

Learn more about this study and how you can get involved.

02/12/2026

The Advanced International Optometry Degree Program (AIODP) at the UAB School of Optometry offers internationally trained optometrists a unique opportunity to earn a U.S. Doctor of Optometry degree by building on their existing academic credentials and clinical experience. Designed for those who already hold a doctorate, master’s, or bachelor’s degree in optometry or ophthalmology from an accredited international institution, the program provides a streamlined pathway to U.S. practice, supported by UAB’s accredited curriculum and robust clinical training environment. Applications for the class entering January 2027 are now open, and the deadline to apply is February 28, 2026, via OptomCAS and the UAB supplemental application. Click the link in the comments to apply and learn more.