Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science

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Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science

OD and PhD programs at the University of California, Berkeley

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/

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/

08/26/2025

On August 20-21, 2025, we welcomed 72 Doctor of Optometry and 5 Vision Science PhD students to our school for orientation. Orientation sessions focused on transitioning to graduate education, learning about our school, cohort-building opportunities, and campus resources.

We’re excited to see our new students begin their journeys, and we also extend a warm welcome back to all returning students as we kick off another great year together!

Learn More: https://optometry.berkeley.edu/welcome-students/

08/20/2025

Each summer, the Admissions & Student Affairs Office (ASAO) welcomes students interested in pre-health and pre-medical pathways.

This year, we hosted over 200 students (from elementary-aged visitors to early undergraduates) offering them a glimpse into the skills involved in becoming an optometrist or vision science researcher.

A big thank you to all who volunteered, and a special shoutout to Ardi Samonte, our Associate Director of Admissions, for coordinating each group visit throughout the summer!

Read More: https://optometry.berkeley.edu/summer-group-visits/

08/14/2025

Two optometry students from the Class of 2026 have been honored with the VSP Vision/American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF) Practice Excellence Scholarship.

Nastasya Liem has been recognized with the VSP/AAOF Marvin Poston, OD Excellence in Primary Care Award and Mai Nguyen has been awarded the VSP/AAOF Bernhardt N. Thal, OD Excellence in Primary Care Award.

Congratulations to Nastasya and Mai on this remarkable achievement!

Read More: https://optometry.berkeley.edu/vsp-aaof-practice-excellence-scholarship/

08/12/2025

Congratulations to Vision Science PhD student Jason Wong and Postdoctoral Scholar Shangbang (Jacob) Luo, co-first authors on a new paper published in Biomedical Optics Express!

Their research, conducted in Dr. Austin Roorda’s lab and supported by the National Eye Institute, showcases a groundbreaking imaging technique that combines adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) and adaptive optics optical coherence tomography (AOOCT) to perform optoretinography (ORG) in the human eye.

Read More: https://vision.berkeley.edu/posts/new-imaging-breakthrough-from-roorda-lab/

08/06/2025

We are saddened to share the passing of former Dean Jay M. Enoch (1929–2025), a visionary leader whose impact on our field and our school continues to resonate.

Dr. Gerald Westheimer has written a heartfelt tribute to Dr. Enoch, published in Optometry and Vision Science. In this personal reflection, Dr. Westheimer looks back on Dr. Enoch’s extraordinary career as a retina researcher, educator, and advocate for the profession.

Dr. Enoch played a key role in shaping modern optometry, from helping establish the National Eye Institute to leading the charge to keep our school rooted in Berkeley during a time of uncertainty.

Read the full tribute linked on our website, at: https://optometry.berkeley.edu/remembering-jay-enoch/

08/04/2025

We’re excited to share that the Singh Lab, along with a global team of collaborators, have published a new study in Optometry and Vision Science (OVS), titled “Refractive Error and Axial Length (REAL) Study: Feasibility of a Population Study in the United States.”

This feasibility report presents cross-sectional data from 157 children ages 3 to 8 across three U.S. regions (Oakland, Greater Boston, and Houston) and lays the groundwork for a larger, longitudinal study on pediatric myopia and eye growth.

Learn More: https://optometry.berkeley.edu/new-study-published-in-ovs/

07/31/2025

We’re proud to share that Vision Science PhD Candidate Pabita Dhungel has been selected as a recipient of the 2025 Minnie and Roseanna Turner Fund Award!

This prestigious award supports graduate-level research focused on improving vision and coping with visual impairment. Congrats, Pabita!

Read More: https://vision.berkeley.edu/posts/minnie-and-roseanna-turner-fund-award

07/25/2025

Hear from last year's ViSUR cohort as they share how the program shaped their paths in science and research! ViSUR is an immersive 8-week summer experience that pairs undergraduates with vision science labs at UC Berkeley.

In our latest testimonials, Jocelyn, Priyam, and Thelonious reflect on their time in the program and its lasting impact on their educational and career goals.

Read their stories at: https://vision.berkeley.edu/research/visur/visur-testimonials/

07/23/2025

Registration for Bay Area Vision Research Day (BAVRD) is open until September 5th!

Join us on September 12th, 2025 for this FREE, one-day research conference devoted to bringing the vision research community of the Bay Area together to present and to discuss new and exciting findings in the fields of ophthalmology, optometry, biology, neuroscience, visual psychophysics, and computer vision.

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

07/11/2025

This summer, Dr. Ruth Shoge and Morgan McClure welcomed 73 undergrads to Opto–Camp 2025, a weeklong journey into the world of optometry. Campers explored career paths, tackled real-world challenges, and pitched solutions like SCOPE, a student-led pipeline to inspire the next generation. Congrats to all who completed the program, and thank you to VSP for making it possible!

Read More: https://optometry.berkeley.edu/opto-camp-2025/

Address

300 Minor Hall
Berkeley, CA
94720

Telephone

+15106422020

Website

http://optometry.berkeley.edu/

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