Debora L. Nickla

Debora L. Nickla is a Professor of Biomedical Sciences and Disease at the New England College of Optometry (NECO). She holds a PhD in Biology from City College of CUNY, an MS from SUNY Albany, and a BS from Albany, NY institutions. Her research focuses on myopia, circadian rhythms, and choroid signaling using animal models. She serves as a Reviewing Editor for Current Eye Research and is a member of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).

• Education:
• PhD, Biology, City College of CUNY
• MS, Biology, SUNY Albany
• BS, Biology and Chemistry, Albany, NY

Her work explores how light exposure timing, circadian rhythms, and visual conditions influence ocular growth and myopia development in chicks. Recent studies highlight the role of dopamine metabolites (DOPAC) and light wavelength in eye growth regulation. She advises master’s students including Kenneth Dang (2022) and Arthur Watson (2025).