UAB School of Optometry

07/23/2026

Mason Martin, Class of 2029, has received a $10,000 VSP Vision Premier Edge Student Business Challenge Scholarship, a national award recognizing optometry students with strong entrepreneurial vision and business acumen. Martin earned the scholarship for his business plan, which outlines his goal of practicing in rural Alabama after graduation and ultimately owning a private optometry practice.

07/16/2026

Dr. Tamara Oechslin’s Eye Movement and Principles of Binocular Vision lab took learning for a spin! Students explored the clinic’s vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) chair, a specialized tool used to evaluate how the visual and vestibular systems work together following impact exposure. As the chair rotated, students observed how clinicians assess eye movements and balance responses to better understand the complex relationship between vision and the inner ear. The VOR Lab features an advanced research-grade rotating chair that is one of the few of its kind in the Southeast and the first in Alabama, giving students exposure to cutting-edge technology used in both patient care and research.

07/07/2026

Congratulations to the 2025–2026 residents (right) on successfully completing their training and for their dedication to patient care. Their accomplishments were celebrated this past weekend, marking an important milestone as they take the next steps in their professional journeys. A warm welcome is also extended to the incoming residents (left), who will play an important role in caring for patients and continuing a strong tradition of clinical excellence.

07/01/2026

Amy Logan, OD, FAAO, associate professor and proud alumna, has been honored with the Rising Star Award from the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry. The award recognizes her commitment to students, clinical excellence, and leadership in optometric education. Dr. Logan, who also serves patients at the PATH and 1917 Clinics, was recognized at the ASCO Annual Leadership Luncheon. Congratulations, Dr. Logan!

06/27/2026

Congratulations to Emmanuel Addai, OD, a Vision Science PhD student at UAB School of Optometry, on earning a scholarship from the Minnie and Roseanna Turner Fund! This national recognition supports research focused on improving vision and advancing care for individuals with visual impairment. Addai’s work reflects the strength of UAB’s research mission and its commitment to innovation in vision science. This is an exceptional accomplishment for Sincich's lab.

06/25/2026

Jennifer Craig, OD, has been named supervisor of the UAB School of Optometry’s Cornea and Contact Lens residency program.

“Fitting specialty contact lenses has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career, and I am excited to help residents hone those skills so they, too, can confidently care for their patients and change their lives for the better,” she said.

The UAB School of Optometry offers advanced clinical education in specialty areas through three in-house and five affiliated residency programs. Currently, eight residency programs offer a total of 16 positions. The school places a strong emphasis on residency education, with a commitment to developing, advancing and promoting postdoctoral clinical training programs of excellence across the major areas of optometric care.

Jennifer Craig, OD, has been named supervisor of the UAB School of Optometry’s Cornea and Contact Lens residency program.

06/20/2026

Dr. Katherine Weise is advancing pediatric eye care in meaningful ways. As co-chair of the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG), she has helped develop a diagnostic tool designed for eye care providers who do not specialize in pediatric optometry, supporting earlier detection of amblyopia, or “lazy eye.” Built on more than 27 years of research, the tool delivers evidence-based guidance directly into clinical practice, expanding access to early diagnosis and improving outcomes for children worldwide.

For the free app, click on ANDI!

https://public.jaeb.org/pedig

06/17/2026

Student Spotlight: Marshall McGlaun

Marshall, Class of 2027, is driven by a passion to serve and, as he enters his last year, hopes to give back to the communities that shaped him. “I made the right choice for myself and my family,” he shared, highlighting how UAB has prepared him both clinically and personally for the profession. His journey reflects the heart of our program, with students from a wide range of backgrounds building meaningful lives both in and outside of optometry while being supported by a community that feels like family. We’re proud to have Marshall as part of the UAB Optometry community!

06/16/2026

Edmund Arthur, OD, PhD, FAAO, has been awarded a National Institutes of Health (NIH) R56 grant to advance the development of widely available and cost-effective methods for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) using the retina. The study will be conducted in partnership with the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and supports the potential for AD to one day be detected during a routine comprehensive eye examination.

“The retina provides a uniquely accessible and noninvasive window into the brain for early detection and longitudinal monitoring of AD,” Arthur said. “Importantly, many older adults already undergo regular eye examinations that include retinal imaging techniques such as spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, which enhances the feasibility of integrating this approach into routine clinical care.”

Edmund Arthur, OD, PhD, FAAO, has been awarded a National Institutes of Health (NIH) R56 grant.

06/06/2026

“Because UAB Eye Care takes care of vision in our student-athletes, I got to meet Trey when he first got to UAB,” Dr. Kathy Weise said. “I adored him immediately. I learned quickly that he is very dedicated to family, to giving back to his community and to his faith.”

Did you know? Before stepping onto an NBA court with the New York Knicks, Trey Jemison III’s eye care journey began at UAB.

Read the story: https://www.uab.edu/medicine/news/family-community-medicine/from-uab-to-the-nba-trey-jemison-iiis-commitment-to-eye-safety-in-sport