Contacts

Completed his B.Sc. in 2006 and his M.Sc. in 2010 in computer engineering (Image processing) at Science and Research University, Tehran, Iran. He worked as a lecturer at Islamic Azad University from 2010 to 2016. In 2017, he was enrolled as a graduate student at Optometry School and System Design Engineering departments (joint degree), University of Waterloo. He studied my PhD under the supervision of Professor Paul Murphy and Professor Alexander Wong with a thesis entitled: “A system for ocular surface temperature measurement and tracking using infrared thermography” and was awarded his PhD in 2022. Currently, he is working as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the MLEO lab under the supervision of Professor Paul Murphy.

The MLEO team have developed a novel system to measure ocular surface temperature (OST). This system tracks eye surface temperature over time, captures synchronized thermal and visible images, localizes the cornea, and reports temperature profiles. Dr. Zare Bidaki's research interests include Ocular surface image analysis, Ocular Surface Temperature Measurement, Artificial intelligence, and Thermal image analysis.

Dr. Amy Chow is a clinician-scientist who specializes in myopia and amblyopia. She earned her OD and PhD from the University of Waterloo and is now a post-doctoral fellow with the Centre for Eye and Vision Research based in Hong Kong. Her multidisciplinary research seeks to improve patient care and treatment outcomes.

Dr. Chow works under the supervision of Dr. Debbie Jones. Dr. Chow's work is currently focused in myopia and evidence-based practice. Delays in knowledge translation prevent advances in healthcare from reaching patients sooner and reduction in harm from suboptimal treatments. Her future work looks to merge her interest in visual perception for a novel treatment of myopia.

Erica is an MSc candidate under the supervision of Dr. Vivian Choh. Erica completed her Doctor of Optometry degree at the University of Waterloo. Her research investigates the molecular pathways of myopia with the goal of understanding and improving clinical myopia prevention.

Yangchen is a Master's student in the Vision Science program under the supervision of Dr. Krista Kelly. Her project involves investigating the role of binocular motor function during static balance in children with amblyopia. Outside the lab, she enjoys outdoor activities and travelling.

Sadaf completed her Bachelor of Optometry in 2022 and worked for two years in clinical practice before joining the Vision Science program at the University of Waterloo. She initially began her research under Dr. Kostadinka Bizheva and now works under the supervision ofDr. Jennifer Hunter and Dr. Nadine Furtado. Her project focuses on imaging neurovascular coupling in the healthy and glaucomatous retina using OCT to improve early glaucoma detection. Outside of research, Sadaf enjoys Pilates and swimming.

I am a medical anatomist with a strong passion for teaching. I find balance through yoga, running, and capturing life's moments through photography. Beyond my academic pursuits, I am also a social media influencer and food blogger. My supervisor is Dr. Vivian Choh. I am working on lens biomechanics in hopes of finding lens-softening compounds by changing the fluid flow in the lens. 

Lauren is PhD student in Vision Science. She is also the President of the Graduates in Vision Science Student Council. She is currently working on a project involving eye-body coordination during walking in children with amblyopia under the supervision of Dr. Krista Kelly. Outside the lab, she enjoys card/board games and photography.

I completed an Honours BSc in Biomedical Science, minoring in Medical Physiology from the University of Waterloo in 2017. Building on this foundation, I pursued an MSc in Vision Science, where I focused my thesis on dynamic visual acuity. Currently I am a PhD candidate in Vision Science and Aeronautics. 

Beyond academia, I enjoy exploring the outdoors and maintaining an active lifestyle. I also enjoy spending time with my pup (and anyone else's dog that comes my way), and watching and playing a variety of different sports.  

My supervisors are Dr. Ben Thompson and Dr. Elizabeth Irving. I am currently focused on exploring the intricacies of colour vision in pilots. Looking ahead, I am interested in the potential of combining some of the information I learned from the work I performed in my MSc with the aeronautics world.

I graduated with a Doctor of Optometry degree in 2021 from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. I practiced as a clinical optometrist with a specialty in contact lenses at a government hospital called Elmina Hospital and part-time at a private facility called Firmer Eye Care for two years. Currently, I am studying MSc. Vision Science at the University of Waterloo with a research focus on Ultrahigh-Resolution Optical Coherence Tomography (UHROCT) imaging of the healthy and pathological cornea and limbus under the supervision of Dr. Jennifer Hunter.  I also have an interest in contact lens research.

I am a graduate student in the School of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of Waterloo with an academic and professional background in Optometry. My supervisors are Dr. Tammy Labreche and Dr. Shamrozé Khan. My research focuses on low vision rehabilitation, particularly exploring how bioptic telescopic spectacles can support safe driving for individuals with age-related macular degeneration. My interests include visual function assessment, assistive technologies for low vision, and the development of effective rehabilitation and training strategies to promote independence and safe mobility. I am passionate about improving clinical approaches that enhance quality of life for people with visual impairment.

In 2005, Dr. Mungalsingh moved from the warm and sunny island of Trinidad to the lovely but cold Canada to join the Honours Biomedical Sciences program at the University of Waterloo, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 2010. They then returned home and received a BSc (Hons) Optometry degree from the University of the West Indies (UWI) in 2014. While in optometry school, she also pursued a Master of Science in Low Vision Rehabilitation from Salus University in Pennsylvania, which was awarded in 2015. Dr. Mungalsingh is a certified low vision therapist through the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP).

Dr. Mungalsingh has worked as an Optometrist in the Department of Optometry & Visual Sciences at UWI and in private practice, with a particular appreciation for their time at UWI, where they gained teaching experience and worked closely with patients with visual impairments. In 2021, they obtained a PhD from the University of Waterloo, with research focused on corneal sensitivity and the development of a novel aesthesiometer capable of delivering multiple stimuli.

Dr. Mungalsingh currently works under the supervision of Dr. Ben Thompson. Dr. Mungalsingh's work includes Brain Stimulation to Enhance Short-Term and Long-Term Improvement of visual functions in people with Visual Deficits.

I am currently a PhD student at the School of Optometry & Vision Science. In my spare time, I enjoy going on long walks, listening to music, and visiting scenic places and cafes! I love trying out new coffee drinks! I am studying under the supervision of Dr. William Ngo. My current project focuses on modeling ocular cell aging by impairing autophagic functions within human corneal epithelial cells to then evaluate its impact on the corneal cell inflammatory response system. My interests going forward is to further the understanding between corneal cell aging, inflammation and ocular surface disease.

Sharon Qiu, OD, MS, FAAO, FSLS is a residency-trained optometrist with a passion for specialty contact lenses. She is currently pursuing a full-time PhD in Vision Science at the University of Waterloo Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE), as well as serving as a part-time clinical supervisor for 4th year optometry student interns at the University of Waterloo Contact Lens and Myopia Control Clinic. Her PhD thesis research, supervised by Drs. Lyndon Jones, Alex Hui and Daddi Fadel, focuses on improving the design of scleral lenses using advanced anterior segment imaging techniques. Dr. Qiu is a fellow of both the American Academy of Optometry and the Scleral Lens Education Society.

I have completed my B.Sc. in Optometry from Sankara College of Optometry, India, and a Master's in Public Health from the University of New Haven, USA. I am working under the supervision of Drs. Stanley Woo and Elizabeth Irving. My research aims to enhance eye care services by utilizing teleoptometry, which provides comprehensive eye exams and consultations remotely via digital technology. The study will observe how teleoptometry is used by diverse groups of people, as well as how common eye conditions are handled via teleoptometry services. Additionally, it will examine how many teleoptometry consultations result in recommendations for in-person care, and how many patients continue to utilize teleoptometry after being referred.

I was awarded a Bachelor of Optometry at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, where I served as President of the Optometry Students’ Association (2016–17). Shortly after working as an Optometrist in India, I moved to Canada in 2019 to pursue a PG Diploma in Healthcare Administration. I have been an Ophthalmic Technician at The Laser Centre (TLC) at UW for the past 4 years. I began with a Master of Science in Vision Science at the School under the tutelage of Professor Paul J Murphy, at the Murphy Laboratory of Experimental Optometry (MLEO), in January 2025. My current research is focused on dry eye disease, tear film stability, and ocular thermography. I am interested in the interplay between the pre-corneal tear film breakup, volumetric variation of tear meniscus and rate of change of corneal surface temperature.

Currently, I am studying the pre-corneal tear film breakup, volumetric variation of tear meniscus and rate of change of corneal surface temperature. Going forward, I am interested in developing and refining techniques and instrumentation to facilitate earlier recognition and isolation of regions of interest in tear breakup.

Dr. Soomro graduated from McMaster University with a background in Medical Sciences. Her doctoral research focused on developing tolerable fibrotic inhibitory strategies for chronic kidney disease (CKD), specifically targeting TGFB1-Activins, which are upregulated during CKD progression. Dr. Soomro now works under the supervision of Drs. Lyndon Jones, Chau-Minh Phan and Juewen Liu.

Dr. Soomro's intends to advance EyesoBio’s mission of developing improved assays for dry eye disease using cells-on-a-chip platforms. Building on her PhD expertise, her independent study will leverage EyesoBio’s innovative eye model to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying fibrogenesis, with a particular focus on Activin A-mediated profibrotic effects in diabetes.

Dr. Stalin completed her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Optometry from Elite School of Optometry, India, and pursued a PhD at the University of Waterloo in Canada, where she worked under the guidance of Dr. Kristine Dalton on developing classification systems for Paralympic skiers. She now works as a postdoctoral research associate on various projects and as a part-time laboratory instructor at the School of Optometry & Vision Science, University of Waterloo. Dr. Stalin works under the supervision of Drs. Susan J. Leat, Tammy Labreche, Kristine Dalton, and Ben Thompson

Dr. Stalin is currently focused on the visual consequences of stroke and exploring noninvasive methods to enhance visual neuroplasticity. Moving forward, she is eager to expand her research into unconventional methods that can enhance neuroplasticity and improve it across different populations.

Cindy recently earned an Honours Bachelor of Science degree with distinction from the Biomedical Sciences program at the University of Waterloo. Throughout her undergraduate studies, she developed a strong academic and research foundation in neuroscience, physiology, and experimental design, earning several awards including the President’s Scholarships of Distinction, Science Undergraduate Student Opportunity Award, and President’s Research Awards. She is now pursuing her Master of Science in Vision Science under the supervision of Dr. Ben Thompson in the Human Visual Neuroscience Lab.

Cindy’s research focuses on understanding how binocular vision can be improved in adults with amblyopia through perceptual training and visual neuroplasticity. Her current project examines how motion-based visual tasks can be used to study and enhance depth perception. The long-term goal of this work is to contribute to the development of accessible, evidence-based rehabilitation tools for improving binocular function.

Sandra is a master’s student in the Vision Science program under the supervision of Dr. Jennifer Hunter. Her research investigates cellular-level changes in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) associated with Stargardt disease, utilizing the lab’s state-of-the-art Adaptive Optics Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Ophthalmoscopy (AOFLIO) system. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Optometry from India and a postgraduate diploma in Healthcare Administration from Canada. In addition to her research, Sandra serves as the Vice President of Graduates in Vision Science (GIVS) for 2025. Outside the lab, she enjoys painting, photography, and solving puzzles.

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science with a minor in French from the University of Waterloo in 2022, and a Master of Education from Ontario Tech University in 2024. I enjoy reading and have a deep passion for philosophy.

My work focuses on advancing the understanding of Sjögren’s syndrome-related dry eye disease as this is a highly debilitating autoimmune disorder with severe impacts on the quality of life of patients.

My research investigates persistent post-concussion visual symptoms and examines the clinical approaches applied by optometrists and physicians in their assessment and management.