Physiological Optics Graduate Student Association - POGSA

We are back again with the alumni feature! This time the feature is on Dr. Ayeswarya Ravikumar, who is currently a Research Associate at UHCO

Research interests: Customized Corrections (CL, Spectacles, IOL's) , Myopia, Neural Adaptation, Dry eyes
Dissertation topic: Change in Visual Acuity Highly correlated with Change in Image Quality Metrics in Normal and Keratoconic eyes
PhD advisor: Dr. Raymond A Applegate
Favorite part of the eye/visual pathway: How optics plays an important role from childhood(in Myopia) to old age (pseudophakia)
Favorite spot in Houston: Water Wall, Hermann Park, NASA (went 8 times in 12 years)
Favorite spot on campus: Chinese Star restaurant on campus (closed), Tealicious, My office
Favorite location travelled to for a conference: Florida ARVO
Hobbies/interests outside of research: Gardening, watching movies, spending time with kids, Temple
Favorite memory during grad school: UHCO Alumini Meet (not anymore)) during ARVO, Second year ARVO sharing room with 5 grad students.

What advice do you wish you had been given as a grad student?
1. I wish someone could have told me that PhD life is like the roots of a tree and you get buried deep into the soil in the dark but there is lot more to do in the life after your PhD where you grow more and tall and spread lateral branches to reach to the sky and shine in the sun with colorful flowers. Only if the roots are stronger you can shine colorfully throughout the life but that is not the end of the world.
2. I wish I was aware on the career pathways available after the PhD life during my 2nd to 3rd year of the graduate school.

Are there any accomplishments you would like to share?
Ezell Fellowship, As a president of UHCO postdoctoral Association

The last but not the least Sunday student spotlight is on Nasim Maddah, another first year PhD student interested in working on Cornea, Keratoconus.

favorite class: Professional development
favorite spot in Houston: NRG stadium
favorite spot on campus: student center
favorite part of the eye/visual pathway: cornea
favorite memory: Pizza and game night at Shulman lounge

fun fact: I enjoy talking to students from different countries to become familiar with their cultures!

She is a Presidential Fellowship winner.

Hope everyone had a great spring break and now resuming our Sunday spotlights; featuring Ebenezer Owusu, another first year PhD student interested in working on ocular surface diseases.
favorite class: Experimental design
favorite spot in Houston: River Oaks
favorite spot on campus: Clinic Procedures Lab
favorite part of the eye/visual pathway: Cornea
favorite memory: I used to get lost in the college building. It could take me over 10 minutes to locate my class

fun fact: I never miss Arsenal FC matches

Featuring this week, Ariyel Kwaku Bonsu another first year PhD student interested in working on Myopia progression and control.
favorite class: Professional development
favorite spot in Houston: Home
favorite part of the eye/visual pathway: Photoreceptors
fun fact: likes music (all kinds except Metal)

We are excited to bring back the Student Spotlight Sundays! We are starting the series this year with Rachel Williams, a PhD student working with Dr. Lisa Ostrin on Circadian Rhythm, Myopia.

• Favorite class: Visual neuroscience advanced module
• Favorite spot in Houston: Memorial Park Eastern Glades to escape the city!
• Favorite spot on campus: Dr. Ostrin’s office; with her natural light, plants, & ocular anatomy decor!
• Favorite part of the eye/visual pathway: Retina
• Favorite memory: Collaborating and meeting in person with colleagues at Academy during the fall in Boston!
• Fun fact: My 3 brothers & I love to run, camp, peak mountains…anything outdoors!

Rachel recently published one review article on ocular effects of systemic medications last semester and has one manuscript just submitted for publication about classroom viewing activities during the pandemic.