UHCO Celebrates Vision Research at Annual Showcase

At the University of Houston, College of Optometry, students learn not just in the classroom and by working with patients, but by also engaging in cutting-edge research related to vision.

The college recently celebrated the work of students, postdoctoral fellows, research associates, residents, and staff at the 6th annual UHCO Research Showcase, which included 39 poster presenters. Many of the posters had been presented previously at various professional conferences and meetings.

“Our annual showcase is important because it brings together many of the individuals in the vision science research community at UH to talk about their work,” said Jason Marsack, associate professor at UHCO. “It is also a way for first-year optometry and graduate students to learn about the research that is conducted in the college. All the different labs are on display and the students can decide whether they’d like to get involved in research at the college.”

UHCO researchers have common interests with researchers in other departments across the campus and some of that work is also represented at the showcase.

“We hope this event serves to increase collaboration at UH by making people aware of projects and shared interests,” Marsack said.

The event, which was organized by Marsack, Jason Porter, also a UHCO associate professor, and Ashley Olheiser, program manager for Optometry Relations, was attended by more than 85 people. Volunteers from the Student Chapter of the American Academy of Optometry helped run the showcase.