Binocular Vision Group
Drs. Erin Brooks, Aaron Franzel, and Linda Marks, all provide clinic care and guide student and resident projects in the binocular vision area. Drs. Brooks and Marks are involved with projects in the PEDIG studies. The Pupil Project is an innovative program that brings together the resources and expertise of the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry and College of Education faculty to manage learning related vision problems. Drs. Brooks and Marks are involved with projects in national PEDIG Investigator Group.
Contact Lens Group
Drs. Julie DeKinder, Vinita Henry, Jessica Tu, Carl Kramer are involved with many ongoing studies evaluating new contact lens designs and care regimens.
Emerging Technologies
Dr. Tareq Nabhan’s research initiatives focus strategically on engaging multilateral (interdepartmental, multi-university, nonprofit organization) collaborations utilizing cross-domain expertise in the development of new tools and educational strategies in the eyecare space. Applications include bridging didactic and clinical instruction, sustainably closing vision care gaps domestic and abroad, and supporting UMSL’s anchor institute initiative to the community.
Psychophysics/Imaging
Dr. Carl Bassi has a number of ongoing projects related to macular pigment in the eye, use of the Foldscope (with Manu Prakash, PhD) in eye care and citizen science applications, and testing of the latest prototype of the Q3D (a new device for assessing visual suppression in patients). He has also begun collaborative work with the Contact Lens Group and Badri Adhikari (UMSL Computer Science) on AI applications to cornea and contact lens fitting. He collaborated with Ray Barrett on the Triple Track Technology found on Callaway Golf balls.