Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science Alumni

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Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science Alumni

This is the page for alumni of the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science.

Established in 1923, the University of California Berkeley School of Optometry is the second-oldest active university optometry program in the United States and has been committed to producing excellence in both academics and research. Providing superior-quality training programs and extensive clinic experience to its carefully-selected students, the UC Berkeley Optometry School maintains its high

technical standards while preparing students for successful careers in the field of optometry. In addition to offering this clinical training, the school’s world-class faculty are engaged in pioneering research in vision science, doing groundbreaking work to provide better primary vision care as well as improved diagnoses, treatments, and preventative care of vision disorders. Berkeley Optometry's alumni and faculty have served as presidents of national, state, and local organizations, testifying to the school's significant role in advancing the profession of optometry. The extensive network of alumni produced by Berkeley Optometry includes educators, private practice owners, researchers, and many other vision science professionals.

06/22/2026

We are pleased to welcome five new students to this year’s Vision Science Undergraduate Research (ViSUR) program: Lucia Cisneros, Alex Lersten, Ketaki Mijar, Sophia Tsai, and Nicky Tran.

ViSUR is an 8-week intensive summer program in which undergraduate students are given the opportunity to work in a vision science lab with a faculty advisor on a research project. In addition to a $5,000 stipend, all housing and travel expenses are coordinated and provided by UC Berkeley.

Learn more about each of our ViSUR students at: https://vision.berkeley.edu/posts/2026-visur-cohort

06/17/2026

Vision Science student Emily Ward and Research Scientist Dr. Shruthi Karnam from the Flanagan and Gronert Labs have published a new paper, “The Role of Prostanoids in the Retina and Optic Nerve in Health and Disease,” in Progress in Retinal and Eye Research.

The review explores how prostanoids, best known for their role in glaucoma therapies, may also influence retinal and optic nerve health and disease.

By combining current literature with lipidomics and single-cell transcriptomic analyses, the paper highlights new opportunities to better understand – and potentially target – prostanoid signaling in posterior eye disease.

Read More: https://vision.berkeley.edu/posts/the-role-of-prostanoids-in-the-retina-and-optic-nerve

06/15/2026

We are proud to share that Dr. John G. Flanagan has received an honorary doctorate from the SUNY College of Optometry in recognition of his leadership in optometric education, research, and clinical care.

The Doctor of Science, honoris causa, was conferred during SUNY Optometry’s 52nd Commencement Ceremony on May 21, 2026, at Gotham Hall in Manhattan.

Dr. Flanagan served as the eighth Dean of our school from 2014 to 2025 and has made lasting contributions to vision science through his groundbreaking glaucoma research, extensive scholarship, and decades of federally funded work.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Flanagan on this well-deserved honor!

Read More: https://optometry.berkeley.edu/dr-flanagan-receives-honorary-doctorate/

06/10/2026

A new article from the latest issue of See Magazine is now available on our website. Written by Vision Science PhD student Paripoorna Sharma, “The Crisis Behind the Headlines” explores the real impact of research funding cuts on students, scientists, and the patients whose futures depend on continued discovery.

Read More:
https://vision.berkeley.edu/posts/the-crisis-behind-the-headlines

06/04/2026

On Thursday, May 21, we held the 2026 Vision Science Symposium, honoring this year’s graduates from the Vision Science Graduate Program. The program featured dissertation presentations from graduating students followed by a reception for students, faculty, family, friends, and colleagues.

Presentation topics reflected the breadth of vision science research, including color coding, retinal gene therapy, visual motion perception, glaucoma, scleral lens wear, ocular surface disease diagnosis, and retinal processing.

Congratulations to this year’s Vision Science graduates, and thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating their accomplishments!

Learn More: https://vision.berkeley.edu/posts/vision-science-symposium-2

06/03/2026

Registration for Resident Form closes on June 10th at 11:59pm!

This year’s Resident Forum will take place on Sunday, June 14th as a live Zoom webinar, bringing together optometry residents from the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science and participating institutions including SFVA, Palo Alto VA, Fresno VA, UCSF, and Reno VA.

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with speakers and participate in real-time Q&A throughout the program.

Learn More: https://optometry.berkeley.edu/continuing-education/resident-forum/

05/29/2026

This month, we held our annual Fourth Year Awards Ceremony at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Berkeley Marina, honoring outstanding members of the graduating class of 2026.

Congratulations to all of this year’s awardees and once again to the entire Class of 2026! A special thank you to optometry student Tyler Lue for providing photography.

Read More: https://optometry.berkeley.edu/fourth-year-awards-2/

05/28/2026

On Tuesday, May 26, the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science officially began seeing patients at our new Emeryville Clinic.

The new clinic nearly doubles our clinical capacity, expands opportunities for world-class education and research, and advances an exciting model for integrated pediatric optometric care.

Made possible in part by Dr. Herbert Wertheim’s historic $50 million gift, the generosity of our donor community, and the dedication of our faculty, staff, clinicians, and partners, this milestone reflects a shared commitment to the future of eye care and vision health.

We look forward to carrying Berkeley’s legacy of excellence in optometry and vision science into this exciting next chapter.

Learn More: https://optometry.berkeley.edu/giving/our-vision-our-future/emeryville/

05/27/2026

Earlier this month, the optometry class of 2027 gathered for New Home Night, held at the Faculty Club.

This event is held annually to honor the contributions of all third-year students, thank them for their hard work in the clinic over the past year, and announce and recognize the recipients of awards and scholarships.

Congratulations to all of our winners, and best of luck to the class of 2027 as they depart for their rotations!

Learn More: https://optometry.berkeley.edu/new-home-night-2/

05/22/2026

It’s graduation day! We are proud to celebrate the Class of 2026 and all they have accomplished throughout their time at Berkeley.

We look forward to seeing the impact they will make as clinicians, researchers, leaders, and advocates for vision health.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026, and welcome to the Berkeley alumni community!

Learn More: https://optometry.berkeley.edu/congrats-graduates/

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http://optometry.berkeley.edu/

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