Sandra Wang-Harris, OD, MPH, has joined the UAB School of Optometry as an associate professor. She has worked in numerous developing countries to ensure the availability of eye care to those in need and will now care for Alabama’s vulnerable populations as an educator and healthcare provider.

Mahmoud T. KhalafAllah, MD, MSc, Vision Science Graduate Program Student, has been accepted into the prestigious National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (NAEVR) Emerging Vision Scientist Program. This honor recognizes his contributions to vision research and provides an opportunity to advocate for the future of eye health.

by Nathan Anderson

Malia McDowell, class of 2026, was awarded the $10,000 VSP Premier Edge™ Student Business Challenge Scholarship at the Solution Conference in Nashville, TN. In collaboration with the Association of Practice Management Educators (APME) and Student Optometric Leadership Network (SOLN), VSP Premier Edge awards this scholarship to optometry students interested in owning a private practice. 

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have found a potential link between putative retinal gliosis and Alzheimer’s disease in a recently published study. The study, published in the Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science journal, demonstrates that putative retinal gliosis could be a sign of Alzheimer’s disease-related neuroinflammation, an inflammatory response within the brain or spinal cord.

by Nathan Anderson

Ann Wonderling, OD, FCOVD, graduated from the UAB School of Optometry (UABSO) in 2003 and completed a pediatric residency at the School one year later. After that, she began a career at the Family Vision Center in La Crosse, WI, where she practices today. A diplomate of the American Board of Optometry, she is board-certified in vision development/vision therapy and specializes in vision therapy. Wonderling is also a leader in her state optometric association and has served as president and vice-president of the Wisconsin Optometric Association (WOA).

The American Academy of Optometry Foundation awarded two Vision Science Graduate Program doctoral students at the UAB School of Optometry competitive Ezell fellowships. Sourav Datta received the American Academy of Optometry Centennial Ezell Fellowship. Mahmoud KhalafAllah, MD, MSc, received the Meta Realty Labs Ezell Fellowship, marking his second Ezell win—the maximum possible.

by Nathan Anderson

UAB Eye Care, the UAB School of Optometry's clinical arm, offers perks including discounts to all UAB employees and students. 

by Satina Richardson 

Katherine K. Weise, OD, MBA, FAAO, UAB School of Optometry professor and Pediatric Optometry Service director at UAB Eye Care, is the national network co-chair of the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG). She will serve a five-year term as one of the few optometrists to head the research organization of 300 optometrists and ophthalmologists. 

by Nathan Anderson

Sommer Thompson received the UAB School of Optometry’s Dean’s Outstanding Staff Award for her efforts at the School, which have positively impacted faculty, staff, patients and students through her role as the senior director of development. The Dean’s Outstanding Staff award is selected by Dean Kelly Nichols each year.  

by Nathan Anderson

The Dean’s Distinguished Faculty Award recognizes exemplary leadership and service. During the 2024 Doctoral Convocation and Hooding Ceremony, the award was presented to Adam Gordon, OD, MPH, FAAO, professor and chair for the Department of Optometry and Vision Science. 

by Nathan Anderson

Born with albinism, Daymion Winfrey has limited vision, plus his eyes are sensitive to light since the condition causes a lack of melanin in his iris which prevents his eyes from blocking out light. However, the multi-sport athlete has not let these challenges limit his successes. Wearing special light-blocking contact lenses, he reached the longtime goal of becoming a state wrestling champion.

by Satina Richardson

The Ohio State University College of Optometry awarded Drs. Kelly and Jason Nichols the prestigious Fry Medal in Physiological Optics. The Fry Medal is awarded to individuals who have truly distinguished themselves with long and exemplary records of vision research only when notable recipients are identified. They delivered the Westheimer Endowed Lecture as part of the honor.

by Nathan Anderson

Steve Beaty, MD, has joined the UAB School of Optometry’s (UABSO) faculty as the School’s first volunteer ophthalmology professor teaching the Resident and Clinical Management courses, while providing clinical consultations at UAB Eye Care, UABSO’s clinical arm.

by Satina Richardson

Max McCloy worked alongside his father during spring break to provide needed eye and vision care in Jamaica. Douglas McCloy, OD, has provided sustainable missional eye and vision care there for more than two decades, but this was the first time the two worked together since Max began optometry school.

Alice Kim, class of 2025, received the 2024 Best Practices award from CooperVision. The award enables standout third-year optometry students to learn directly from the best of the best in the profession by participating in the annual Best Practices educational summit.

by Nathan Anderson

The moon will briefly block out the sun, causing a total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8th, 2024. Terri Call, OD, associate professor, warns that unprotected viewing of the solar eclipse can damage your eyes. 

Modifier genes add complexity to precision medicine. A modifier gene is one that has genetic variants such as single nucleotide changes that differ from the most common sequence in the population. These variants do not cause disease by themselves but can lessen or exacerbate a different genetic disease phenotype by unknown mechanisms.

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Michelle Cooper, OD, graduated cum laude from the UAB School of Optometry in 1994 and began practicing in Greenville, SC. She is currently president of the Southern Educational Congress of Optometry (SECO) and served as president of the Piedmont Optometric Society (POS) and president and secretary-treasurer of the South Carolina Optometric Physician’s Association (SCOPA). Cooper was named South Carolina Young Optometrist of the Year in 2000. In addition to practicing optometry, Cooper teaches electronic medical records to fellow doctors and staff throughout the country. 

by Nathan Anderson

Will Mann, class of 2025, has been elected treasurer of the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) Executive Council. His appointment marks the third year a UAB School of Optometry (UABSO) student has held one of only four National AOSA Executive Council positions.  

Community Eye Care (CEC) is celebrating its 50th anniversary of providing vision screenings and comprehensive eyecare to communities. This year, the UAB School of Optometry (UABSO) is recognizing those who have helped CEC provide vision services to underserved and underrepresented communities as faculty, staff or as a student. With this in mind, meet former resident Mark Ortiz, OD.