Director Of Research
CurrentI lead the KYCO's research programs, aligning them with the broader institutional goals of the University of Pikeville. My focus is on cultivating high-impact collaborations across academic disciplines and industry, driving clinical and translational research that advances the fields of optometry and vision science. I mentor emerging research leaders, ensure strict adherence to regulatory and ethical standards, and oversee a dedicated team of clinical research professionals and students from the Doctor of Optometry and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine programs. Through active engagement in scientific conferences and the latest developments in the field, I continuously refine our research strategies to strengthen the College’s reputation as a leader in optometric research.I serve on the IRB review board of University of Pikeville to review, approve, and monitor research projects involving human participants to protect and preserve their rights and welfare. Additionally, I serve on UPIKE's Research Advisory Committee where I evaluate policies and processes at the University for improvement or implementation.My research lab is dedicated to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research in refractive interventions, visual correction techniques, and ocular diagnostics. Central to the lab's focus is children’s vision, myopia prevention and control strategies, ocular optics, contact lenses and Presbyopic corrections, while also developing advanced models that support clinical decision-making and enable researchers to measure care improvements and identify factors contributing to treatment failures. The lab explores the effects of optical manipulations on retinal image quality and visual performance, along with studying accommodative behavior in relation to refractive corrections and optical modeling.