Glen 'Bubba' Steele, OD ’69, retired after 53 years as a professor and pediatric vision specialist at the Southern College of Optometry (SCO). He served as the longest-serving faculty member in SCO's 90-year history, teaching over 6,000 students. Steele pioneered 'just look retinoscopy,' a technique critical for assessing visual development in non-verbal children, and was instrumental in founding the InfantSEE program, which provides free vision assessments for infants aged 6–12 months. Steele specialized in pediatric optometry and vision therapy, emphasizing compassionate care for children. He held a faculty position at SCO since 1969 and contributed to clinical practices through The Eye Center at SCO. His legacy includes shaping optometric education globally and advocating for early childhood vision care. A retirement reception honored his impact, attended by colleagues, alumni, and family. Contributions to his legacy can be made via sco.edu/steele .
Associate Professor Nancy Briggs is an academic statistician at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), specializing in biostatistics with a focus on health and behavioral sciences. Her work emphasizes clinical trial design, longitudinal data analysis, and statistical consulting for researchers in diverse fields. Her research interests include applying statistical methods to improve healthcare outcomes, particularly in areas such as cardiology, neurology, and pediatric chronic disorders. She has led or contributed to over 120 journal articles, conference papers, and other scholarly works, reflecting her expertise in experimental design and data interpretation. Recent publications (2024–2025) explore topics ranging from telemedicine innovations in cardiac care to the genetic analysis of spinal muscular atrophy. Nancy collaborates widely with clinicians and researchers across disciplines, emphasizing practical applications of statistical methodologies. No awards or grants are explicitly mentioned in the provided texts, though her extensive publication record suggests significant scholarly contributions. She advises no listed students but likely engages in teaching or mentorship roles within UNSW.
Dr. Hans Thulesius is an Associate Professor at Lund University since 2011 and a Professor at Linnaeus University since 2019, associated with the Medical Programme in Kalmar, a decentralization initiative from Linköping University. His roles include teaching in medical education courses 6–11, with a focus on conversational methodology in course 9 and responsibility for course 11 in 2022. He is actively involved in research on telemedicine, grounded theory, cancer diagnostics, palliative care, diabetes, and healthcare environment design. Affiliations: Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care editor, Frontiers in Family Medicine editor, and representative in the European General Practice Research Network (EGPRN). His research spans diverse areas such as telemedicine adoption, ethical challenges in end-of-life care, and diabetes management. He has supervised medical students' research on hip fracture prevention and contributed to over 96 refereed articles. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and translational research in primary care. Recent articles focus on telemedicine integration, diabetes complications, and palliative care ethics. He has been an external examiner for doctoral theses in multiple countries, underscoring his international academic influence.
Daniel L. May, MD, is an Assistant Professor at Marshall B. Ketchum University (MBKU), affiliated with the College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Department of Family and Community Medicine. He is a practicing family physician and serves as the Medical Director for SPAS (Student-Provided Affordable Services) at Ketchum Health in Anaheim, CA. With over 20 years of academic involvement, he began his faculty role at the Southern California College of Optometry and has been a clinical preceptor for PA students since 1998. Education: BA, California State University, Fullerton MD, University of California, Irvine Family Practice Residency (Chief Resident), USC-PIH Family Practice Dr. May has over 25 years of experience in family medicine and is deeply engaged in community health initiatives. His work emphasizes hands-on medical education, student mentorship, and accessible care through student-run clinics. He has led multiple medical mission trips to South and Central America, integrating student participation into global outreach efforts. While no publications are listed in the provided text, his professional focus suggests contributions in clinical practice, medical education, and community-based primary care. Professional Recognition and Service: Past Chief of Staff, Placentia Linda Hospital Longstanding clinical preceptor for PA students Active participant in international medical missions Dr. May is actively involved in advising and training future healthcare providers, particularly through experiential learning opportunities. His leadership in SPAS highlights his commitment to service-learning and interprofessional education. He has not received any explicitly mentioned scientific awards in the text. He is associated with Ketchum Health’s clinical sites in Anaheim and Los Angeles, contributing to both patient care and academic operations across multiple locations.
Carrie Thompson serves as Associate Professor and BSW Program Director in the Department of Social Work within Ferris State University's College of Arts, Sciences and Education. Her leadership encompasses academic program oversight and integration of practical field experience for social work students. Her educational foundation includes: Master of Social Work from Grand Valley State University Bachelor of Social Work from Ferris State University Dr. Thompson's research centers on trauma-informed interventions with specialized focus on secondary traumatic stress management for practitioners. Her work bridges clinical practice and education through simulated training scenarios and interprofessional collaborations, particularly addressing rural community needs. She examines crisis response systems and develops frameworks for integrating trauma support into social work curricula, emphasizing real-world application in residential, outpatient, and home-based settings. Analysis of her 11 publications (2014-2022) reveals three dominant thematic trajectories: (1) Secondary traumatic stress mitigation strategies in social work education, (2) Interprofessional approaches to poverty and trauma through community-academic partnerships, and (3) Simulation-based training for trauma assessments with at-risk children. These works consistently target curriculum innovation for field readiness. Professional contributions include coordinating local Crisis Response teams and serving on community advisory boards. Her conference presentations at national venues like CSWE Annual Program Meetings demonstrate active knowledge dissemination. As BSW Program Director, she facilitates field education through instructor workshops and foster parent training initiatives. Dr. Thompson maintains strong community ties through partnerships with DHHS and rural health organizations, developing the Child and Family Resiliency Center as an academic-community hub for interdisciplinary training.
Tomohiko Yamada, O.D., is a pediatric optometrist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, specializing in strabismus, amblyopia, and binocular vision disorders. As a member of the Department of Ophthalmology and Clinical Practice Committee since 2008, he integrates clinical practice with research to advance pediatric vision care through Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. His educational background includes: Doctor of Optometry (O.D.), University of Missouri, St Louis (2003) Pediatric Optometry Residency, The Eye Institute, Pennsylvania College of Optometry (2004) BSc in Cell, Molecular Biology, and Genetics, University of Maryland (1997) Research training at National Institutes of Health and Walter Reed Army Institute Dr. Yamada's research centers on clinical outcomes of pediatric vision disorders, particularly intermittent exotropia and convergence insufficiency. He has developed quality-of-life assessment tools and investigated how vision conditions impact academic performance and family dynamics. His work emphasizes patient-centered care and evidence-based management through multi-center collaborations. Analysis of his 12 publications (2008-2019) reveals consistent focus on clinical trials and observational studies in pediatric ophthalmology. Key research trajectories include natural history studies of untreated strabismus, validation of vision screening technologies, and quantification of quality-of-life impacts. His work frequently appears in high-impact ophthalmology journals through the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group. Professional recognition includes: Medical Optometry Certification (2011) Fellow, American Academy of Optometry (2008) Optometry Scholarship and Dean's List (1999) As a clinician-scientist, Dr. Yamada contributes to clinical practice guidelines while advancing pediatric vision research through collaborative networks. His work bridges clinical care with research to improve outcomes for children with vision disorders, focusing on practical applications that enhance patient and family quality of life. Though not leading a dedicated laboratory, his research is conducted through major collaborative groups including the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group and Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial Study Group, where he plays active roles in study design and execution.
Dr. Onyeka Amiebenomo serves as a Senior Lecturer in Optometry within the Department of Allied Health Professions, College of Health and Applied Sciences at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol). She maintains dual research affiliations with the Centre for Health and Clinical Research (Children, Young People and Families Research Theme) and the Psychological Science Research Group. Her academic qualifications include: Doctor of Optometry (OD) from University of Benin, Nigeria Fellowship in Paediatric Optometry from Nigerian College of Optometrists PhD in Vision Sciences from Cardiff University Specializing in pediatric vision disorders, Dr. Amiebenomo employs high-speed eye tracking technology to investigate fixational eye movements in Infantile Nystagmus patients. Her research extends to addressing eye care disparities for children with learning disabilities, combining clinical optometry with psychophysical visual acuity testing methodologies. She leads key modules including 'Ocular Anatomy and the Visual System' and 'Binocular Vision and Paediatrics' for the MSci program. Her professional recognitions include: Nigerian College of Optometrists Fellowship in Paediatric Optometry Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) As Principal Investigator for the BNSSG ICB-funded PEPChiLD project (2025/2026), she examines eye care practices for children with learning disabilities. She additionally collaborates on a Fight for Sight/Nystagmus Network project exploring perceptual learning treatments through eye tracking. Dr. Amiebenomo has supervised multiple Doctor of Optometry (OD) students and actively seeks PhD candidates. Her research integrates clinical practice with the Centre for Health and Clinical Research's Children, Young People and Families Theme while leveraging cross-institutional partnerships with Cardiff University, Plymouth University, and University of Bradford.
