Jerome Ozkan

Dr. Jerome Ozkan is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales (UNSW), affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine & Health. His research specializes in ocular microbiology, focusing on the conjunctival and eyelid microbiome, dry eye disease mechanisms, and antimicrobial contact lens technologies. He employs both traditional culturing and DNA-based methods (16S rRNA sequencing) to investigate microbial-host interactions in ocular health and disease.

Education includes a PhD (UNSW, 2015) and BOptom Hons (UNSW, 1990). His research aims to define the core ocular microbiome, assess impacts of antibiotics/masks, and develop strategies to reduce contact lens-related infections.

Teaching roles include convening OPTM3233: Working in the Clinical Environment and lecturing in binocular vision, ocular therapeutics, and disease management. Professional affiliations: ARVO, ISCLR, ASM, and Optometry Australia.

Awards highlight his research and teaching excellence:

• Academic Excellence Award (UNSW, 2023)
• NHMRC Early Career Fellowship (2016–2020)
• Brian Kirby Prize for Research Excellence (2016)

Grant funding spans ocular microbiome dynamics ($1.2M+), including projects from Johnson & Johnson, NHMRC, and UNSW infrastructure schemes. He supervises postgraduate projects on microbial keratitis immune responses and nasal-ocular microbiome interactions with essential oils.