Swetha Ravichandran, M.Optom, FAAO, and Sourav Datta, M.Optom, doctoral students in the Vision Science Graduate Program at the UAB School of Optometry, have been named 2025 William C. Ezell Fellows by the American Academy of Optometry.
Swetha was selected as an American Academy of Optometry Foundation Ezell Fellow, while Sourav was named an American Academy of Optometry Fellow, his second time receiving this prestigious honor.
These highly competitive fellowships support graduate students pursuing advanced degrees in vision-related research. This year, only 16 fellows were selected nationwide, underscoring the significance of the award.
“Being part of a group of only 16 recipients worldwide is a reminder of the responsibility I have to contribute meaningful work to our field,” Datta said.
The Ezell Fellowship is a $10,000 award that includes one $8,000 two $1,000 travel grants, one for the annual American Academy of Optometry meeting and another for the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) meeting.
Ravichandran’s research focuses on identifying ocular biomarkers that could help detect Alzheimer’s disease in its early stages. By studying the eye’s connection to brain health, she aims to develop non-invasive diagnostic tools that are both accessible and effective. Her findings will be shared at the conferences she attends.
She credits her success to the mentorship and support of her advisor Edmund Arthur, OD, PhD, FAAO, as well as Andrew Pucker, OD, PhD, FAAO, FSLS and Krithica S, PhD, a mentor from her master’s research program.
Arthur shared that even at this early stage in her career, Ravichandran has demonstrated exceptional promise. Her accomplishments include securing predoctoral and travel grants, winning poster competitions, and presenting at major international conferences such as ARVO and the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference.
“There is none more deserving than her!” he said. “My hope and strong belief is that Swetha will go on to thrive as an excellent clinician scientist to serve the optometry profession. She has all the qualities to become an excellent optometric educator in the future, and I cannot wait to see her blossom!”
Datta is pleased to win the fellowship a second time, the maximum number of times the award can be received.
“It is truly an honor to be recognized with a second Ezell Fellowship,” he said. “Receiving this award once was already a milestone, and being selected again affirms the importance of my research direction and motivates me to continue pushing forward.”
His research focuses on investigating barriers to eye care and evaluating new technologies for visual field testing, particularly in individuals with mobility and visual impairment. He is studying the use of virtual reality perimetry (VRP) devices in comparison to traditional clinical methods to enhance access, accuracy, and patient experience.
“I hope my research will improve accessibility to essential visual field testing, particularly for patients who may face mobility barriers in visiting clinics,” Datta said. “By validating innovative devices for monitoring the visual field in glaucoma, we can bring testing closer to patients and ultimately help detect and manage diseases like glaucoma earlier and more effectively.”
Datta is deeply grateful to his advisor, Lyne Racette, PhD, for her constant guidance and mentorship and to his family for their constant support. The support of all the members of his dissertation committee and colleagues at the UAB School of Optometry is also appreciated.
With several Ezell Fellowship recipients among its faculty and a growing number of student honorees, UAB School of Optometry has built a strong legacy of excellence connected to this prestigious award. In 2023, the school celebrated a historic milestone when three students were selected as Ezell Fellows, the highest number awarded to UAB in a single year.