During 2025 we had a number of staff join the School and some new roles within the School.
New Staff
We warmly welcomed Dr Umme Urmi who commenced as a Research Associate in July 2025 with Professor Mark Willcox working on antiviral compounds, surface coatings, and meibum lipid behaviour using surface-based analytical techniques.
Dr Adam Samuels joined SOVS in June 2025 following the completion of his PhD to work with Dr Kath Watt and Dr Vinod Maseedupally managing the work integrated learning (WIL) for the Vision Science program on a part time basis.
Lauren Carr commenced in August 2025 as the First Peoples Academic lead as a part time Senior Lecturer (teaching and research) at School of Optometry and Blakcademy in the Faculty of Medicine & Health. Lauren will be leading our cultural capabilities portfolio.
Michele Clewett was appointed as a Project Manager in September 2025 working part time on the academic calendar and curriculum uplift with Dr Kath Watt.
Dr Ereeny Mikhail joined the School in October 2025, appointed as a Project Manager working part time on the academic calendar and curriculum uplift for placements working closely with Scientia Professor Fiona Stapleton AO.
Dr Shyam Tummanapalli was appointed in May 2025 as a Senior Research Associate working with Professor Mark Willcox on a clinical trial of a new contact lens disinfecting solution.
Dr Shyam Mishra joined SOVS in July 2025 working as a Research Associate for Professor Mark Willcox and Dr Jerome Ozkan on a project investigating links between the ocular microbiome and Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr Jack Phu came onboard in October 2025 to take the Ocular Therapeutics Program from the Graduate Certificate and uplift it to the four standalone professional credentials in the Lifelong Learning Unit.
Our visiting academic staff list grew to 111 in 2025 with new visiting academic staff joining SOVS including: Ms Weijia Zhang, Ms Shuxuan Xiong, Mr Michael Yapp, Ms Meri Galoyan, Mrs Khodeja Afrin, Dr Jun Zhu, Ms Henrietta Wang, Ms Gulnaz Nazeer, Mr George Enninful, Miss Gada Harmouch, Dr Eon Kim, Dr Binod Rayamahjee, Dr Elias Kehdi and A/Prof Bente Aakre.
New Roles
Dr Vinod Maseedupally moved to a NEXUS Fellow role in May 2025. The UNSW Nexus Program is an ambitious and innovative program that seeks to elevate education and student experience. Each School appoints an education focused academic staff, allowing them to step away from regular duties to complete the Nexus Fellowship. We have had several staff undertake year-long Nexus Fellowships since program inception. A major focus of Vinod Maseedupally’s role as Nexus Fellow will be collaboration on the SOVS calendar change and program redesign, leading the design and implementation of a programmatic approach to learning and assessment in our new program. He will also be working with the Faculty of Medicine and Health Nexus team on broader Faculty and UNSW initiatives and providing local support for their implementation.
Dr Revathy Mani was appointed as the Acting Program Authority for the Bachelor of Vision Science and Master of Clinical Optometry programs whilst Vinod is on his NEXUS Fellowship.
A/Prof Maria Markoulli returned from maternity leave to re-join the Executive Committee and job shared the Director of Teaching role with Dr Kath Watt from July 2025.
Professor Juno Kim joined the Executive Committee in his capacity as the lead for Short Courses and Lifelong Learning at SOVS.
We are excited to announce that Scientia Professor Fiona Stapleton AO has been appointed as the Deputy Dean of Graduate Research for UNSW Sydney and will take up this role later this month. We are delighted that she is continuing with us whilst she takes up this amazing opportunity in a part time capacity.
Farewells
We farewelled Adam Samuels as he took up an industry role.
At the end of December 2025, we farewelled Dr Ereeny Mikhail and Dr Jack Phu who were assisting on short term projects with the curriculum uplift.
Promotions
During 2025 we were excited to share that Dr Nayuta Yoshioka was promoted to Senior Lecturer. Yoshi is a passionate educator dedicated to making optometry education relevant, engaging and innovative. His teaching spans key areas including myopia management, ophthalmic dispensing, and foundational vision sciences, where he consistently brings fresh perspectives and student-centred approaches to the classroom.
We congratulate Lily Ho who was promoted to Deputy Director of Clinical Teaching at the UNSW Optometry Clinic during 2025.
Accolades
Congratulations to PhD students Judy Nam and Xiaona Ping who received their Fellowship of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO) and staff member A/Professor Maitreyee Roy who also received her FAAO.
We were thrilled to have two of our PhD candidates awarded with prestigious Ezell Fellowships from the American Academy of Optometry Foundation. Mukesh Kumar was awarded the Centennial Ezell Fellowship and recognised for his outstanding contributions to research in optometry and vision science.
Soumen Sadhu received the Rod Tahran Ezell Fellowship (EssilorLuxxotica). Soumen’s achievement reflects his dedication and excellence in advancing the filed of optometry and vision science.
Professor Isabelle Jalbert received the Michael G. Harris award from the American Academy of Optometry Foundation as highlighted in the HOS Update and Emeritus Professor Stephen Dain received the Henry B. Peters Award for Public Health and Environmental Vision.
Emeritus Professor Eric Papas received the Bernard Gilmartin OPO Award and Professor Konrad Pesudovs received the Arthur Bennett Prize both from the College of Optometrists, UK.
Dr Daisy Shu was named a Silver Fellow of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) during 2025 and alumnus Dr Ashik Mohammad was awarded as a Gold Fellow.
Dr Daisy Shu also received a BrightFocus Foundation Macular Degeneration Research Award. You can read more about her award in the Research news.
UNSW Awards
In October 2025 the Arc PGC Research Candidate, Supervisor and Staff Awards were held. These awards celebrate individuals who have gone above and beyond to enrich the higher degree experience at UNSW. Congratulations to the following PhD candidates and staff members who were acknowledged:
PhD Candidates:
- Xiaona Ping - Recipient of the Faculty of Medicine & Health PhD Candidate Award
- Rehana TMA Khan - Honourable Mention
- Pawan Baral - Honourable Mention
Supervisors:
- Professor Juno Kim - Honourable Mention
- Professor Mark Willcox - Honourable Mention
Staff:
- Nicola Kapo - Recipient of the Faculty of Medicine & Health Staff Award
- Dr Anne Barnes - Honourable Mention
In December 2025 we congratulated staff from SOVS who were recognised at the Faculty of Medicine & Health Staff Awards:
- Dr Revathy Mani – Educational Excellence Award (Early Career Researcher)
- Dr Vanessa Honson – Educational Excellence Award (Academic Staff)
- Ms Michelle Bonanno – Enabling Educational Excellence
- A/Prof Maria Markoulli – Research Collaboration Award (in absentia)
- A/Prof Sieu Khuu, Dr Sharon Oberstein, Dr Vinod Maseedupally and the NEXUS Team – Values in Action: Collaboration Award
Early December 2025 we also acknowledged our hard-working staff with our SOVS staff awards and congratulate the following staff members:
- Michele Clewett - Demonstrates Excellence
- Eihab Eltantawy - Drives Innovation
- Peter Wagner - Builds Collaboration
- Azadeh Tavakkolinasab - Embraces Diversity
- Dan Pua - Displays Respect
- Muhammad Yasir and George Enninful - Academic Excellence: Research
- Vinod Maseedupally - Academic Excellence: Education
- Nicole Carnt - Social Engagement
- ERG Team (Fiona Stapleton, Jackie Tan and Tianni Jia) - Global Impact
- Michele Madigan - Student Experience
- Jiawei Shen - HDR Student of the Year
- Nicola Kapo - SOVS Citizen of the Year
Wrapping Up 2025
As we close the chapter on 2025, we celebrate a year of growth, collaboration, and achievement at SOVS. From welcoming new staff and expanding our cultural capabilities, to driving curriculum innovation and earning international recognition, our community has continued to lead with excellence and impact.
Thank you to all staff and students for your dedication and contributions throughout the year. We look forward to building on this momentum in 2026 as we continue to innovate, educate and inspire in the field of optometry and vision science.
Here is to another year of success and collaboration.
