The UAB School of Optometry offers three dual-degree programs, allowing students to pursue a master’s in public health (MPH), business administration (MBA) or vision science (MS) while earning a Doctor of Optometry degree. Gavin Buba, Class of 2027, is working toward an OD/MS. In a Q&A, he shares why he chose this path.

Why did you choose optometry?

I chose optometry at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 when my mother informed me that her hometown friend had an optometry practice in Greenfield, IN, and was hiring new employees. Curious about the profession, I decided to work at this practice and not long after I saw the potential in making personal connections, being involved in the community, all the while helping those with their visual needs. About one year after working for the practice, I decided to pursue optometry school.

Why did you decide to pursue the OD/MS dual degree program? 

While applying to various schools, I came across schools that offered dual degree programs where students can obtain both an OD degree and another degree concurrently, like an MS or an MBA. Being a curious student, I shadowed a research lab at Indiana University's School of Optometry before submitting my optometry application and found that optometry research was something I definitely wanted to pursue. 

Whose lab are you working in, and what are you researching? 

Fast forward a few years, and I am now a 3rd year optometry student working in Dr. Safal Khanal's myopia research lab here at UABSO. The goal of our lab is to investigate the underlying mechanisms of eye growth and myopia (near-sightedness) development.

How much of a time commitment does your dual degree program require? How do you manage this with also getting an OD? 

In UABSO's dual OD/MS program, the time commitment includes a weekly literature review course, and the remaining time is for independent research study and working with your research advisor to stay on track with completion of your research project. To manage master's work along with the OD program, I make sure to prioritize OD work first since it typically has more pressing deadlines and is more fast paced than the Master's work. 

Why would you recommend that others pursue a dual degree? 

As far as advancing knowledge in the field of optometry goes, research is the only way to progress. I believe that using the unique perspective of an optometrist's clinical knowledge to produce clinical research is key in advancing the field of optometry. Upon graduation in 2027, I hope to make an impact on the field of optometry by producing clinical research that provides more data to the literature supporting myopia mechanisms.