Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science

Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science OD and PhD programs at the University of California, Berkeley

Congratulations to Dorothy Ma, OD '21, a former T35 trainee and now a second-year Vision Science student, on the recent ...
10/10/2025

Congratulations to Dorothy Ma, OD '21, a former T35 trainee and now a second-year Vision Science student, on the recent publication of her paper, “Diurnal Variability of Human Tear Volume and Production Rate: An Exploratory Study” in Translational Vision Science & Technology.

In addition to Dorothy’s leadership, we’d like to recognize the contributions of several other UC Berkeley Clinical Research Center (CRC) authors on this paper: Alisa Molina, OD ‘25, Helen Tasho, OD ‘24, Anisha Pradhan, OD (Postdoctoral Clinical Research Fellow, ‘22-24), Dre FazioLiu, OD, FAAO (Vision Science Student), Jennifer E. Ding, OD '17, Young Hyun Kim, PhD '22 , and Meng Lin, OD, PhD, FAAO. Congratulations to the full research team!

Read More: https://vision.berkeley.edu/posts/paper-on-the-diurnal-variability-of-tear-volume-and-production

We are thrilled to announce that Associate Professor of Optometry & Vision Science Teresa Puthussery has been selected a...
10/08/2025

We are thrilled to announce that Associate Professor of Optometry & Vision Science Teresa Puthussery has been selected as a 2025 MacArthur Genius Fellow.

Dr. Puthussery is the first optometrist to receive the award, which includes a stipend of $800,000. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Puthussery on this momentous and inspiring news!

Read the full press release on our website:
https://optometry.berkeley.edu/dr-puthussery-receives-macarthur-genius-grant/

We are pleased to announce that Joseph A. Bonanno, OD, PhD, FAAO, FARVO has been selected as the Alumnus of the Year. A ...
10/08/2025

We are pleased to announce that Joseph A. Bonanno, OD, PhD, FAAO, FARVO has been selected as the Alumnus of the Year.

A distinguished graduate of our OD Class of 1981 and PhD Class of 1987, Dr. Bonanno has made lasting contributions to both our school and the fields of optometry and vision science. Congratulations, Dr. Bonanno!

Learn More: https://optometry.berkeley.edu/alumnus-of-the-year/

We are excited to share that Dr. Teresa Puthussery has received a new grant award from the National Eye Institute (NEI)....
09/29/2025

We are excited to share that Dr. Teresa Puthussery has received a new grant award from the National Eye Institute (NEI). The grant, “Structure and Function of Primate Retinal Circuits,” began on September 1, 2025, and will run through August 31, 2028.

This award is a competitive renewal of the grant she has successfully held since 2014, with direct cost funding of $750,000 over three years. Congratulations, Dr. Puthussery and the entire lab!

Learn More: https://vision.berkeley.edu/posts/nei-grant-renewal-awarded-to-dr-puthussery

On September 12, 2025, the 37th annual Bay Area Vision Research Day (BAVRD) brought together researchers from across the...
09/27/2025

On September 12, 2025, the 37th annual Bay Area Vision Research Day (BAVRD) brought together researchers from across the region at UC Berkeley’s International House. The conference featured engaging talks, lightning presentations, and a lively poster session.

This year’s conference was organized and hosted by Vision Science PhD Students: Evalie Rehor, Dorothy Ma, Lobna Hamed, Ranjila Shyangbo and Poorna Sharma; with support from Alex Marquez, Assistant Director of Vision Science & Residency Programs.

Thank you to everyone who participated in making this year's BAVRD a success!

Learn More: https://vision.berkeley.edu/posts/bavrd-2025

We are proud to share that Vision Science PhD student Vivien Tse, OD, FAAO, FSLS has been awarded the 2025 Stan Yamane F...
09/25/2025

We are proud to share that Vision Science PhD student Vivien Tse, OD, FAAO, FSLS has been awarded the 2025 Stan Yamane Family Contact Lens Ezell Fellowship.

This prestigious honor recognizes Dr. Tse’s dedication to advancing specialty contact lenses and her outstanding contributions to optometry and vision science. Congrats, Dr. Tse!

Read More: https://vision.berkeley.edu/posts/celebrating-excellence-in-vision-science/

Congratulations to Drs. Suzanne Fleiszig; Orneika Flandrin (first author and ’24 Vision Science PhD graduate); Sara Abbo...
09/17/2025

Congratulations to Drs. Suzanne Fleiszig; Orneika Flandrin (first author and ’24 Vision Science PhD graduate); Sara Abboud (OD ’23, VS PhD student); postdocs Yujia Yang and Naren Kumar; and Dr. Diana Bautista (Molecular and Cell Biology faculty) on their new publication in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science!

The study shows that TRPV1 protects healthy corneas against Staphylococcus aureus adhesion – through a pathway independent of nerve firing – revealing a defense mechanism distinct from that used against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

In the photo: Drs. Orneika Flandrin and Suzanne Fleiszig, graduation 2024.

Learn More: https://vision.berkeley.edu/posts/new-study-from-fleiszig-lab-2

We are proud to share that Dr. Ruth Y. Shoge, OD, MPH, FAAO, Associate Professor of Health Sciences and Chief Diversity ...
09/15/2025

We are proud to share that Dr. Ruth Y. Shoge, OD, MPH, FAAO, Associate Professor of Health Sciences and Chief Diversity Officer, has been awarded the 2025 Theia Award of Excellence in Education by Women In Optometry. Congratulations, Dr. Shoge!

Reflecting on this work, she shared: “I have been an optometric educator for nearly 20 years, during which I’ve had the privilege of teaching more than 2,000 students…”

Read More: https://optometry.berkeley.edu/dr-shoge-receives-theia-award-of-excellence/

The Oxyopia Fall 2025 schedule has been posted to our website! Oxyopia is a seminar series featuring lectures on basic, ...
09/12/2025

The Oxyopia Fall 2025 schedule has been posted to our website!

Oxyopia is a seminar series featuring lectures on basic, clinical, and applied research in vision. Unless otherwise noted, these lectures take place on Mondays 11:10 am to 12:30 pm in 489 Minor Hall. The lectures are free and open to the public.

Upcoming Lecture: September 15, 2025
Speakers: Matangi Kumar (Gronert Lab) and Cyrus McHugh (Taylor Lab)

Learn More: https://vision.berkeley.edu/events/oxyopia/

We are delighted to welcome our newest cohort of Vision Science PhD students! Please join us in congratulating and getti...
09/11/2025

We are delighted to welcome our newest cohort of Vision Science PhD students!

Please join us in congratulating and getting to know: Dr. Dre FazioLiu, Dr. Clara Friedman, Lejun Shen, Yuanlong Zhao and Jocelyn Tao.

Read their profiles on our website: https://vision.berkeley.edu/posts/new-vs-student-profiles/

On August 25, we celebrated the Doctor of Optometry (OD) Class of 2029 at our annual White Coat Ceremony. This milestone...
08/30/2025

On August 25, we celebrated the Doctor of Optometry (OD) Class of 2029 at our annual White Coat Ceremony. This milestone marks the moment our doctors-in-training received their first white clinic coat – the universally recognized symbol of a health sciences professional.

Dean Bentley, Dr. Mika Moy, Dr. Lillian Wang, and AOSA trustee Ashley Robinson (’27) welcomed the class, who recited the Berkeley Optometric Oath and stepped into the start of their clinical journey. Welcome, OD Class of 2029!

Read More: https://optometry.berkeley.edu/white-coat-ceremony-2025/

Recent graduate Dr. Alisa Molina (OD ’25) has published in Optometry and Vision Science on tear production in contact le...
08/28/2025

Recent graduate Dr. Alisa Molina (OD ’25) has published in Optometry and Vision Science on tear production in contact lens wearers.

Dr. Molina, first author, worked alongside other Berkeley contributors: Helen Tasho, OD; Jennifer Ding, OD; Dorothy Ma, OD; and Dr. Meng Lin, OD, PhD, FAAO.

Conducted in the Clinical Research Center under Dr. Lin’s supervision, the study found that contact lens wear may alter corneal sensory function and affect tear production. Congrats to Dr. Molina and the research team!

Read More: https://optometry.berkeley.edu/new-ovs-paper-published-by-od-alum/

Address

300 Minor Hall
Berkeley, CA
94720

Telephone

+15106422020

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category