It’s been a busy conference season for ICO. Students, residents, and faculty have attended specialty meetings across the nation, and the quality and depth of the work continues to impress those who interact with our researchers. Here is where we have been the last few months:

The Global Specialty Lens Symposium was held this year in Las Vegas, NV from January 15–18. This year’s participants included three travel grant recipients (Reneta Simeon, OD ’24, Diana Masolak, OD ’24, and Joshua Normandeau, OD). Five posters were presented both by faculty and residents as well as one fourth-year student. It was a great opportunity for all to network with providers from around the world and share our research with interested parties. Additionally, Jennifer Harthan, OD ’06 participated in the Free Paper session. Each presenter was given eight minutes to get their message across. Attendees were able to interact with the panel during a Q&A at the end.

The Heart of America, held in Kansas City, MO from February 20–22, has become a popular conference for our students and residents. All in all 17 research posters were presented including five from our fourth-year students. This shows a strong growth in research being done not only by our residents but students as well. It’s great to see so much initiative and growth over the last few years!

We also attended specialty conferences. On March 15–20, 2025 the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, the premier meeting for those in the neuro-ophthalmology space, was held in Tucson, AZ. It was especially exciting for us because our very first resident focusing on neuro-ophthalmology, Megan Piraino, OD ’24, presented. It is quite an achievement to have a research study accepted for presentation and this speaks to both the quality of our patients, our residency and our residents! The College of Vision Development also held their national conference in Fort Worth, TX on April 22–26, where faculty member Aubrey Breihaupt, OD, presented three posters and co-presented one poster with our resident, Jannice Doan, OD.

Lastly on May 4–8, in Salt Lake City, UT there were nine posters presented at this year’s Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. These presentations included a poster presentation from Alyssa Ang ’27 and Yeonsoon Kum ’27 both of whom participated in our summer research program last year and a presentation by second-year Jackson Ernst ’27. Additionally, Phuong Lam ’27 had the honor of doing a paper presentation, a feat for faculty so something even more special for students. As one of the most important research meetings for optometrists and ophthalmologists, it’s wonderful to see ICO being well represented.

Everyone worked hard to get their presentations accepted and we’re proud of the representation we have had throughout the nation in the last few months. Thank you also to our faculty who do such a wonderful job mentoring our students and residents. Great job, everyone!