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Winter 2024
Dr. Newton K. Wesley Research Center, A Year Later
WRITTEN BY:
Nora Matland
Fifteen years ago, ICO was not a recognized research institute. Today, we’re involved in 117 ongoing projects, many spanning years. In the last year alone, ICO has added twenty newly funded studies, with another ten to fifteen in the pipeline. There is no doubt that ICO is now a strong clinical research institute.
With the expansion of our research activities in recent years, it was obvious that our existing facilities were no longer adequate to meet the demands of our growing projects. The previous research suite was a third of the size, cramped with shelves, files, and equipment, leaving little room for research participants or a welcoming environment.
This all changed when the Dr. Newton K. Wesley Research Center opened. This space doesn’t just offer a more welcoming environment—it’s also much more efficient, which makes a noticeable difference for research participants. From the moment they walk through our doors, clear signage, and visual cues guide them to the research area. All exams are conducted in one space on one floor, something that previously had not been possible due to space constraints. Patients no longer navigate through the maze that is ICO, reducing confusion and stress.
“Now, the trust that we’ve built, especially among those who previously hesitated in joining, is profound.”
Yi Pang, OD, PhD

“We need spaces that make research participants feel valued,” says Elyse Nylin, Manager of the Clinical Research Center. “Patients need to feel like we recognize the importance of their time and dedication. This is now the case when they walk into this beautiful, welcoming space. I think they can really feel that we care about them.”
This is felt by the research participants as well. “The old space was so dark. The first time I arrived, I was like, I can barely see.” Stella, mother to Mary and Joshua who were both involved in a recent myopia study, says. “The new space is much more comfortable. It doesn’t feel like you’re in a hospital setting at all, it feels much more like a lounge where you can sit down, check your email, and really do whatever you want. With the new waiting area, I can take up as much space as I want. It’s completely changed how I feel coming to IEI.”
The way a space makes someone feel matters. It especially matters for the population we serve. A large portion of our patient base comes from medically underserved populations, who are largely uninsured or underinsured. Many of them have had to pass through spaces where “good enough” has been the standard, but “good enough” is almost never enough. This is especially true for research participants. To be a research subject is to put your trust in someone else. You and your provider choose to enter the unknown together – to uncover unanswered questions and together, find a better treatment, but these solutions can be elusive or may take years to be solved. It takes a brave soul and a lot of trust to join a research project.
This backdrop informs ICO as we actively work to create a research environment that promotes trust and respect. ICO has been a cornerstone of the Bronzeville community for over a century. We have built the type of trust that is fundamental in bridging the gap between our community and the medical research field. The new Dr. Newton K. Wesley Research Center is a physical commitment to this continued relationship. We continue reinvesting in the Bronzeville community because we believe good healthcare is a human right, no matter your race or economic standing.
The increased space that research now occupies at ICO sends a powerful message: clinical research is central to ICO’s mission and future.
“I can tell research is important to ICO,” continues Stella “They’re looking at all facets of research. It’s not just about getting the data and moving us all through as quickly as possible. It’s about making us, the study constituents, feel comfortable. When we're comfortable, when our minds are at ease, we can speak our truth. ICO sees we’re not just study participants, we’re first and foremost people.”
“We’ve really changed the culture at ICO,” says Yi Pang, OD, PhD, the Associate Dean for Research, “When I arrived 20 years ago, it was very difficult to engage research participants with clinical research at ICO. Now, the trust that we’ve built, especially among those who previously hesitated in joining, is profound. We’ve shown that we care for them. We’ve been honest and upfront. They understand what type of examinations and treatments they will undergo, and they’re going out to their communities and sharing this positive experience with their family, friends, and neighbors.”
The expanded Wesley Research Center has greatly increased our capacity to take on more research projects, allowing us to serve a growing number of research participants and to accommodate many more schedules. Now, with significantly more room, we can handle many more studies. As Elyse Nylin explains, “We recently had a visit from a company interested in doing contract research with us. Before, I think we probably could have handled 175 research participants, but they saw our new space and immediately changed the number to 250 research participants.” By taking on more studies, we’re better equipped to expand our understanding of various health issues and bring meaningful, data-driven insights to the field. The research we do here directly contributes to the practice of optometry. We are advancing knowledge, introducing modern treatment protocols, enhancing patient care, and improving health outcomes in a historically marginalized community that has not had access to good care. “The clinical research that we do directly impacts the research participants we serve,” says Elyse Nylin. “It’s only by trust building, and willingness to participate that we can better treat the research participants that walk through our doors each day.”
For Stella, her reason for signing her children up is deeply personal. “I’ve had myopia all my life, and I never knew it could be treated,” says Stella “Now, my children are affected by it as well. In our family, it’s been passed down through generations. I want to be part of the solution that changes that. If they’re able to find better treatment, and my children can be part that, then I know that my grandchildren might not have to go through what I, my children, and even my parents have experienced. Knowing that we’re making a difference for future generations matters to me.”
The Dr. Newton K. Wesley Research Center is a strong representation of our deep commitment to the community we serve. This new space is more than just a physical upgrade; it represents a fundamental shift in how we engage with patients and research participants. They are and have always been active partners in advancing medical research. We have created an environment that prioritizes comfort and trust, and through this, ICO has strengthened its relationship with those we serve.
Here is how the new space has changed research at ICO.
1. Dedicated Student Research Exam Lanes
Because of the expanded footprint, students now have access to spaces exclusively reserved for them; making research more accessible to all. “One of my goals is to make research feel less intimidating for students. It doesn’t have to be scary,” says Elyse Nylin, Manager of the Clinical Research Center. “We have this state-of-the-art facility, and I want more students to feel welcome and motivated to participate.” Access to this space reduces barriers, making it easier for students to start their research journeys.
2. A Space to Share and Collaborate
Research thrives on collaboration, but the previous research area lacked a dedicated space for meeting and discussion. The Dr. Newton K. Wesley Research Center now has a dedicated conference room that seats up to eight participants.
“One day we may be at 30% capacity and the next we’re at 120%. So, flexibility is key.”
Elyse Nylin

3. Expanded Waiting Area for Patients
Our previous workspace had long been too small for our needs. It was cramped for researchers and even more so for patients and their families. There was no space to sit and wait, which in turn meant that research patients and their guardians had no space to multi-task while waiting for the research session to end. Now, with a dedicated waiting room, they have the space needed to spread out and accomplish other tasks while they wait. This has fundamentally changed how patients feel in the space. They now have the room they need to feel completely welcome.
4. Flexible Spaces to Meet Research Needs
At ICO, there’s so much research happening simultaneously, and we need spaces that can adapt to high- and low-capacity days. “One day we may be at 30% capacity and the next we’re at 120%. So, flexibility is key,” continues Elyse Nylin. Different studies require different setups, and with space dividers, we can partition the central area for five or six additional patient stations. This combined with our six exam lanes means we can see up to 12 patients at any given time.
5. Expanded Access to Specialized Diagnostic Instrumentation
Previously, there was no space to store the equipment we had, and therefore no opportunity to build on that equipment through collaborations with outside organizations. Now, we have access to a range of advanced measurement devices, all funded through external grants.
6. A Space Ready for All Types of Research Projects
This space made many more opportunities possible because it now meets the specific requirements for many research projects. Previously, there was no dedicated area for pretesting, data management, or secure medication storage. File storage took up a lot of the allotted space. Some research projects also require the space to have two doors that could be fully locked. Now, the new facility meets all these requirements, allowing us to conduct multiple clinical trials simultaneously, meeting the needs for today and tomorrow.