Awards season from Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences

American Academy Recognitions

The Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences continues to gain major international distinction through honours associated with the American Academy of Optometry. Faculty members and affiliated clinician-scientists have been repeatedly recognised by the Academy for exceptional contributions to eye health.

This year, the awardees included

• Prof Carol Lakkis, receiving the Max Schapero Memorial Lecture Award honouring a clinician, researcher or scholar who has made a significant contribution to the cornea and contact lens field.

• Dr Ceecee Britten-Jones, receiving the Irvin M. and Beatrice Borish Award for an outstanding young clinician scientist who shows exceptional promise in conducting independent research.

• Prof Suzanne M.J. Fleiszig, a DOVS alumni, receiving the Prentice Medal for a distinguished scientist or clinician scientist in recognition of a career-long record of advancement of knowledge in vision science.

National Award Finalists

Prof Laura Downie, A/Prof Holly Chinnery, Prof Scott Mueller, Dr Mengliang Wu, Dr Phillip Bedggood and Prof Andrew Metha, Team Fun-IVCM, were finalists in the in the Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology Award, for the development and application of Functional In Vivo Confocal Microscopy (Fun-IVCM) for dynamic human corneal immune cell imaging, including their discovery of T cells in the human cornea.

Also Prof Lauren Ayton, Emily Shepard, and the UsherKids Australia team - in partnership with the University of Melbourne, Melbourne Disability Institute, and Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) - were named top four finalists in the 22nd Health and Medical Research Awards hosted by Research Australia. Nominated in the Advocacy and Philanthropy category, the team co-designed crucial research exploring the psychosocial impacts, support needs, and pathways to care for children and families affected by Usher syndrome.

2026 H. Barry Collin Research Medal (Optometry Australia)

Prof Algis Vingrys, former Head of Department, was named the 20th recipient of this medal. The honour recognises over 30 years of research, teaching, and clinical leadership, including his pioneering work in retinal physiology, colour vision, and the creation of the Melbourne Rapid Fields vision test.

Early-Career Scientist Excellence

Department researchers also secured landmark early-career honours during this period. Dr Sena Gocuk was celebrated as the 2025 inaugural recipient of Retina Australia's Emerging Scientist Award. An optometrist and postdoctoral research fellow at CERA and the University of Melbourne, Dr Gocuk was recognised for her dedicated research examining women carrying X-linked inherited retinal diseases - an essential area of study focused on a population historically underrepresented in clinical trials and vision research.