AUGUST 21, 1939 - AUGUST 5, 2023

David R. Whikehart, Ph.D., UAB School of Optometry professor emeritus, has passed. A noted researcher in the biochemistry and molecular biology of the eye, Whikehart is among the few to have isolated and characterized stem cells that appear in the lining of the corneal endothelium. Whikehart retired in 2009 after 30-plus years of service and was appointed emeritus professor in April 2010.

by Satina Richardson

Three students from the Vision Science Graduate Program (VSGP) at the UAB School of Optometry have been awarded Ezell Fellowships from the American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF) for 2023. This is the largest number of VSGP winners in a single year.

On August 16, 10 am to 2 pm, shop the latest styles in eyeglasses and sunglasses at UAB Eye Care. Featured brands include Ray-Ban, Gucci, YSL and more.

by Satina Richardson

Yuqiang (Bob) Bai, PhD, UAB School of Optometry researcher, has been awarded a National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Eye Institute (NEI) $1.8 million five-year R01 grant. Findings could improve dry eye disease diagnosis and monitoring.   

by Nathan Anderson

Being outdoors is a great way to spend the day. However, you can expose yourself to allergens such as pollen, pet dander, mold spores and dust mites that can affect your vision.

by Nathan Anderson

Sammy Haskins, class of 2025, placed third in the 32nd annual American Optometric Student Association Optometry Student Bowl powered by EssilorLuxottica at Optometry’s Meeting 2023.  A record crowd of more than 2,000 attended the competition at Echostage in Washington D.C.

It is predicted that, by 2030, some 39 million people in the United States will have myopia, or nearsightedness, according to the National Eye Institute. Earlier research suggests that the use of low-dose atropine drops plays a role in slowing the progression of myopia in children living in Asian countries. However, new research from the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that the use of low-dose atropine eye drops was no better than placebo drops at slowing myopia progression and elongation of the eyes of a diverse group of children living in the United States.

Read more on UAB News 

by Nathan Anderson

Three alumni are winners of the Top 25 Excellence in Business award. The UAB Excellence in Business Top 25 program was created to identify, recognize and celebrate the success of the top 25 alumni-owned or alumni-managed businesses.

Summertime is officially here, and outdoor activities are in full swing. While many people know how important it is to protect their skin while spending time in the sun, experts at UAB Eye Care experts want to remind everyone that protecting their eyes is just as important.

Read more on UAB News

by Nathan Anderson

Terri Call, OD, was first author of a paper titled Real-Time Ocular Comfort Reporting in Monthly Replacement Contact Lens Wearers. The featured research is the first study to describe real-time contact lens comfort over the life of a monthly replacement contact lens.

by Nathan Anderson

Swetha Ravichandran, a Vision Science Graduate Program (VSGP) student, has been awarded a two-year fellowship by the Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama Lindy Harrell Predoctoral Scholar Program. The award, which totals $50,000, provides a $24,500 stipend and $500 travel grant annually.

by Nathan Anderson

Ellen Antwi-Adjei, OD, MPH, Vision Science Graduate Program (VSGP) student, has been awarded a $25,000 fellowship from the American Association of University Women (AAUW). She is the recipient of an AAUW International Doctoral Degree Fellowship, marking the first time a UAB School of Optometry student has received this honor. 

The Dean’s Distinguished Service Award acknowledges leadership and service to the community and the optometry profession. Two individuals were honored during the 2023 Convocation and Hooding Ceremony: Don McCurdy, MD, and Jim Marbourg, OD.

by Satina Richardson

Kathryn Trammell was awarded the Dean’s Outstanding Staff award for her work managing continuing education (CE) at the UAB School of Optometry. Her efforts help ensure that optometrists keep their licenses current year after year.

by Satina Richardson

Janene Sims, OD, PhD, was honored with the Dean’s Distinguished Faculty award at the UAB School of Optometry’s 2023 convocation and hooding ceremony. The award recognizes exemplary leadership and service to the school and is given when an individual rises to the occasion in an exceptional way. 

The UAB School of Optometry’s first graduating class marked its 50th anniversary. Bernie Scott, OD, Michael Raim, OD, and Ron Dachelet, OD, members of the 1973 class, attended the 2023 Convocation and Hooding Ceremony to recognize this milestone.

by Nathan Anderson

Match Day is an exciting time for optometry students, as it is the day future residents find out if they did or did not match with their residencies. Abigail Witmer, OD, a graduate of The Ohio State University, received an email notification on March 27th notifying her that she had been matched with the UAB School of Optometry’s pediatric optometry residency. 

by Nathan Anderson

John Essinger, OD, is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his practice, Vestavia Eye Care (VEC). An externship site for almost as long, training future optometrists has been rewarding. 

by Nathan Anderson

Cyril Nyankerh, OD, Vision Science Graduate Program (VSGP) student, was awarded the Members-in-Training (MIT) Outstanding Poster Award for the Visual Neuroscience section at ARVO 2023, the premiere gathering for eye and vision scientists at all career stages.

by Nathan Anderson

Steven H. Schwartz, OD, PhD, has been appointed to the rank of Distinguished Teaching Professorship, the State University of New York’s (SUNY) highest academic rank. He joins a select group of professors who have earned this distinction.