Continuing Education

Marcus Gonzales, OD, FAAO, ABO Diplomate 

Dr. Gonzales received his undergraduate degree at Baylor University and completed his Doctor of Optometry degree at the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO) in 2006. He then went on to complete an Ocular Disease residency at Cedar Springs Eye Clinic, an inner-city charity clinic caring for a diseased, indigent population, in Dallas Texas. Currently, Dr. Gonzales is a Clinical Associate Professor and Director of the Cedar Springs Eye Clinic for UHCO.  He was named the 2009 Educator of the Year by the Texas Optometric Association, and he received a President’s Award in 2011. He is a Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry and a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry. His interests are in ocular disease, specifically glaucoma and retinal disease.

Marcus Gonzales, OD, FAAO, ABO Diplomate (Conference Director)

Dr. Gonzales received his undergraduate degree at Baylor University and completed his Doctor of Optometry degree at the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO) in 2006. He then went on to complete an Ocular Disease residency at Cedar Springs Eye Clinic, an inner-city charity clinic caring for a diseased, indigent population, in Dallas Texas. Currently, Dr. Gonzales is a Clinical Associate Professor and Director of the Cedar Springs Eye Clinic for UHCO.  He was named the 2009 Educator of the Year by the Texas Optometric Association, and he received a President’s Award in 2011. He is a Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry and a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry. His interests are in ocular disease, specifically glaucoma and retinal disease.

Natalie Alonzo, MBA

Natalie Alonzo serves as the Education and Outreach Director for Poiema Foundation, a non-profit that fights human trafficking. Natalie holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Dallas Baptist University. Through various roles, she has helped to spread awareness and assisted minors who recovered from sex-trafficking in North Texas, by walking alongside them on their healing journey. Natalie passionately uses her background with education and first-hand experience to bring the public together to fight human trafficking.

Christopher Borgman, OD, FAAO

Dr. Borgman is an associate professor at the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. He earned his O.D. degree from the Illinois College of Optometry then completed a one-year residency in Primary Care and Ocular Disease at the Illinois Eye Institute in Chicago, Illinois. He has lectured in numerous continuing education venues on the topics of: primary care ocular diseases, ocular manifestations of systemic diseases, and neuro-optometric diseases.

Greg Caldwell, OD, FAAO

Dr. Caldwell is a 1995 graduate of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and completed a residency in primary care and ocular disease at The Eye Institute in Philadelphia. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO), a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry (ABO), and a member of the Optometric Glaucoma Society (OGS) and the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. He is a leader in ocular disease management, contributing to FDA investigations and clinical trials focused on innovative treatments. He advocates for integrative optometry, incorporating nutrition and wellness into patient care to prevent and manage ocular diseases. Based in Duncansville, Pennsylvania, Dr. Caldwell specializes in ocular disease diagnosis and management. He served as President of the Pennsylvania Optometric Association (POA) in 2010 and as a member of the AOA Board of Trustees from 2013 to 2016. He was also named Chairman of the Year by the POA. A co-founder of Optometric Education Consultants and co-administrator of OCT Connect, Dr. Caldwell has lectured extensively in the U.S. and internationally.

David Dinh, OD, FAAO

Dr. Dinh received his Doctor of Optometry from UHCO and completed a residency in Ocular Disease at Cedar Springs Eye Clinic in Dallas, Texas where he gained advanced training in the areas of glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and dry eye syndrome. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and maintains active memberships in the Texas Optometric Association, the American Optometric Association, the local Dallas County Optometric Society and the International Gold Key Honor Society.

Andrew Kemp, OD, FAAO

Dr. Kemp received his Doctor of Optometry from UHCO and completed an Ocular Disease residency at the Cedar Springs Eye Clinic in Dallas, Texas. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Cedar Springs Eye Clinic and the Community Eye Clinic, and also serves as an Adjunct Professor for UIWRSO. Additionally, Dr. Kemp is an Associate Optometrist at Kleiman Evangelista Eye Center and the Optometry Medical Records Quality Assurance Director for Lone Star Circle of Care in Austin, Texas. Dr. Kemp’s memberships include the Texas Optometric Association, American Optometric Association, and the Texas Public Health Association. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and serves as a consultant for the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education. He was named the 2022 American Optometric Association Optometric Educator of the Year.

Amy Nau, OD, FAAO

Dr. Nau practices in Boston, MA, and is the owner of Forefront Eye Care (formerly Korb & Associates), Co-Founder and CEO of Eyewell, and adjunct faculty at the New England College of Optometry. Before relocating back to Boston, she was Director of Optometric Services in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center where she established the medical contact lens clinic. While there, she founded the Sensory Substitution Laboratory and was given a secondary appointment in the Department of Regenerative Medicine. She is a Diplomate of the Cornea, Contact Lens, and Refractive Surgery section of the American Academy of Optometry, where she also serves on various committees including Vice Chair of Fellows Doing Research and Executive Committee of the Clinical Investigator Certification Course. She is active in other national organizations related to the ocular surface, and she both lectures about and conducts research for diseases of the anterior segment and medical contact lenses.

Bryan Williams, OD, FAAO

Dr. Williams is a DFW native that has lived in this area for the majority of his life. Dr. Williams received his Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Texas Tech University and then went on to earn his Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Houston College of Optometry. ​After optometry school, Dr. Williams completed a Cornea and Contact Lens Residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry where he gained an expertise in the management of anterior segment disease and specialty contact lens fitting. During residency, Dr. Williams had the opportunity to lecture in the field of specialty contact lenses as well as present a number of case posters at national optometry conferences. Following residency, he then went on to receive the distinction of Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO) as well as Fellow of the Scleral Lens Society (FSLS). He currently serves on the executive board of the Tarranty County Optometric Society and is also an active member of the Texas Optometric Association, Scleral Lens Education Society, and the American Academy of Optometry.

Andrew Archila, OD, MBA

Dr. Archila obtained his Bachelor of Science and Doctorate in Optometry from the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO). He went on to enjoy a 22-year Naval career attaining the rank of Captain, where he was able to use his administrative and clinical talents. While in an out service Navy program he was able to earn an MBA in Health Care Administration from the City University of New York while concurrently earned a Fellowship in Clinical Administration and Optometric Management at the State University of New York College of Optometry. Dr. Archila has held several naval leadership roles in clinical practice environments, such as Officer in Charge, Executive Officer, and Commanding Officer, which encompassed all aspects overseeing daily operations, budget, and patient care of these healthcare facilities. He was selected as the Navy's Junior Optometrist of the Year in 2003 and the Armed Forces Optometric Society's Navy Optometrist of the Year for 2014. In addition, Dr. Archila has earned several Navy service medals.  Dr. Archila is the Associate Dean for Clinical Operations and Clinical Professor at UHCO. 

Muriel Martinez, OD, FAAO (Conference Director)

Dr. Muriel Martinez graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Organismal and Integrative Biology with a double minor in Chemistry and Italian. She went on to obtain her Doctor of Optometry degree and Pediatric Residency from the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO). Dr. Martinez was awarded the 2014 Terrance N. Ingraham Pediatric Optometry Residency Award by the American Optometric Foundation; she is also a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. She is currently an Assistant Clinical Faculty at UHCO where her primary interest and focus is in pediatric primary care, specialty pediatric care, binocular vision, and brain injury eye exams. She serves as the Director if the Pediatric and Binocular Vision Service, the Pediatric Residency Director, as well as course master for multiple pediatric and binocular vision courses. Her passion is teaching about eye care in special populations and pediatrics. As course master, she has lectured extensively in these areas at UHCO as well as international lectures in optometry schools in Mexico.

Rachel Fitzgerald, OD, FAAO

Dr. Rachel Fitzgerald earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Science from the University of Georgia and her Doctorate of Optometry from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She completed a pediatric optometry residency at Indiana University School of Optometry. Since 2017, Dr. Fitzgerald has been an Associate Professor at the Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO), teaching courses on binocular vision and pediatrics, and overseeing the pediatric and vision therapy clinic at The Jerald F. Combs Eye Clinic. She also directs community outreach, including vision screenings in local schools. Dr. Fitzgerald became a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry in 2019 and is active in the American Optometric Association and Kentucky Optometric Association (KOA), where she serves as the Eastern Society Trustee and founded KidSEE Kentucky. She has presented nationally on pediatric optometry and binocular vision and was named the KOA’s Young Optometrist of the Year in 2020.

Amber Nichols, OD

Dr. Amber Nichols is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Houston College of Optometry, where she is dedicated to educating the next generation of optometrists. She completed her Doctor of Optometry degree in May 2021 at the University of Houston Col-lege of Optometry and went on to complete a Cornea and Contact Lens Fellowship at the Texas Eye Research and Technology Center (TERTC) in 2022. Dr. Nichols is actively involved in clinical education, teaching in both didactic courses and clinic practicums, with a spe-cial focus on contact lenses and corneal health. Dr. Nichols has contributed to research on corneal and conjunctival diseases, having co-investigated studies on histopathology and non-infectious corneal pathology. Her scholarly work includes peer-reviewed publications and abstracts, with a particular interest in scleral lens fitting and its role in managing complex ocular conditions such as keratoconus and corneal disease. She has presented posters at national conferences, receiving the "High Impact Idea" award from the National Keratoconus Foundation in 2022. In addition to her academic roles, Dr. Nichols is a certified Eyeprint fitter and an active member of the Texas Public Health Association. Dr. Nichols is committed to advancing clin-ical care and education in cornea and contact lens management, with a passion for im-proving patient outcomes in challenging ocular conditions.

Sherrol Reynolds, OD, FAAO, FNAP

Dr. Sherrol A. Reynolds is a Professor of Optometry at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry, where she also serves as Chief of the Davie Primary Care Clinic and Director of the Retina Clinic. A graduate of the University of Florida and Nova Southeastern University, Dr. Reynolds is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, the Optometric Retina Society, and The National Academies of Practice. She was the president of the National Optometric Association from 2017 to 2021 and was named Optometrist of the Year by the NOA in 2013. Dr. Reynolds has received numerous accolades, including the 2021 Women in Optometry Leadership Award, the AOA President's Award, and the 2022 AAO Foundation Excellence in Diversity Award. She also received the 2024 NSU College of Optometry Distinguished Professor of the Year Award. Dr. Reynolds is involved in diversity, inclusion, and equity efforts in optometry, serving on the National Eye Institute’s National Eye Health Education Program and co-chairing initiatives like Eye Health for African Americans. She has held various leadership roles, including serving on committees for Prevent Blindness and the Florida Optometric Association, and writes a monthly column for Optometric Management Journal.

Kyle Sandberg, OD, FAAO

Kyle Sandberg earned a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Microbiology with a minor in Psychology from the University of Central Florida, followed by a Doctorate in Optometry and a Bachelor of Science in Vision Science from Nova Southeastern University. He completed a residency in Ocular Disease and Refractive Surgery at the Eye Center of Texas. Dr. Sandberg has been a tenured Associate Professor at the Rosenberg School of Optometry since 2012, serving as Chief of Refractive Surgery and Laser Services and Assistant Dean for Professional Advancement. He teaches across various settings and was named the Texas Optometric Association’s Educator of the Year in 2020. He’s active in the TOA’s Legal and Legislative Committee and was President of the Bexar County District Optometric Society. Dr. Sandberg lectures nationally and internationally on refractive surgery, glaucoma, dry eye, and ocular disease. Outside of optometry, he is a drummer for The Spectacles, an all-optometrist rock band, and enjoys golf, travel, and spending time with his wife and son.

Diane Sayah, OD, PhD

Dr. Sayah is an optometrist with special interests in ocular biomechanics and hemodynamics. She obtained her Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Montreal. She then completed her PhD in glaucoma and biomechanics research at the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital (University of Montreal) and worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the Harvard Retinal Imaging Lab (Massachusetts Eye and Ear). Dr. Sayah served as lecturer and clinical instructor at the University of Montreal School of Optometry for over seven years before joining the University of Houston College of Optometry as an Assistant Professor (tenure-track). As a clinician-scientist, Dr. Sayah's interests are directed towards neurodegenerative diseases of the eye, particularly glaucoma, as well as myopia. Benefiting from cutting-edge technology and innovative methods for probing biomechanical and choroidal involvement in eye diseases, her objective is to lead translational research which will directly improve clinical care.

Justin Schweitzer, OD, FAAO

Dr. Justin Schweitzer specializes in advanced glaucoma, refractive surgery, and anterior segment pathology at Vance Thompson Vision. He earned his Doctor of Optometry degree from Pacific University College of Optometry and joined Vance Thompson Vision in 2012 to focus on glaucoma and advanced anterior segment care. He became a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry in 2013 and is the Optometric Externship Director at Vance Thompson Vision. Dr. Schweitzer frequently lectures on glaucoma, anterior segment pathology, and refractive surgery at state, regional, and national events. He serves as the Chief Medical Editor for Modern Optometry and has contributed to journals and books. An advocate for integrated eye care, Dr. Schweitzer is on the board of the South Dakota Optometric Society, the Optometric Glaucoma Society, and several other professional organizations. He is actively involved in his community’s eye care initiatives.

Anuradha Veerappan, OD, MS

Dr. Veerappan completed her Doctor of Optometry & Master's in Vision Science at the State University of New York (SUNY). She continued her education with a residency in Ocular Disease/Primary Care at the Veterans Affairs Hospital (VAMC) in Hudson Valley, NY. She had the opportunity to move overseas to Singapore, where she completed a 1-year Postdoctoral fellowship in Dry Eye Research at the Singapore Eye Research Institute. Dr. Veerappan has experience in a refractive surgery practice and was also one of the first Optometrists to work in a telemedicine space. Dr. Veerappan is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at the University of Houston College of Optometry. She rotates between the Ambulatory Surgery Center, Contact Lens, and Family Practice Clinics. Her clinical interests include treatment and management of ocular disease, specialty contact lenses, and pediatrics. She is an active member of the American Optometric Association and World Council of Optometry.  Dr. Veerappan won the Outstanding Clinical Faculty Award in 2024, nominated by the BSK Honors Society students.

Maria Walker, OD, PhD

Dr. Maria Walker is a clinician-scientist who specializes in anterior segment inflammatory diseases and specialty contact lenses. She graduated with an OD/MS degree from The New England College of Optometry (NECO) in 2013 and went on to complete a one-year Cornea & Contact Lens Residency at Pacific University in Portland, OR. She came to UHCO as an Assistant Professor in 2014 and, in 2021, completed a PhD in Physiological Optics with a dissertation entitled "The Impact of a Scleral Lens on the Eye". Throughout her education and early career, Maria has won several merit-based awards, including the VSP student clinical excellent award (2013), the Sheldon Wechsler contact lens residency award (2014), the Founders’ Grant from the International Society of Contact Lens Specialists (2017), as well as two Ezell fellowships in 2017 and 2018 and the Minnie Turner Award for Vision Researchers in 2019. She is an active Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry, a Fellow and a Past President of the Scleral Lens Education Society, as well as an advisory board member of the Gas Permeable Lens Institute. Maria is currently a tenure-tracked Assistant Professor at UHCO, and the Walker lab is focused on studying the role of immune cells in inflammatory diseases of the cornea and tear film (i.e., keratoconus), as well as the impact of a scleral lens on the eye in diseased and normal eyes.

Mary Kate Walters, OD, FAAO

Dr. Walters is a Professor of Practice at the University of Houston College of Optometry and serves as the Clinic Director at the Northside Eye Care Clinic in Fort Worth, Texas. She received her Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. Dr. Walters continued her education at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee, where she received her Doctor of Optometry. She also completed an Ocular Disease Residency at the Community Eye Clinic in Fort Worth, Texas. Dr. Walters is an active member of the American and Texas Optometric Associations, is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and currently serves as the Co-Leader of the Health Professionals and Outcomes Workgroup for the Texas Diabetes Council.

Michael Kalloniatis, BSc(Optom), MSc(Optom), PhD, FAAO 

Dr. Kalloniatis completed his optometry degree at the University of Melbourne and after completing his Master's degree at the same institute, undertook PhD studies at the University of Houston College of Optometry.  After post-doctoral training in retinal neuroanatomy at the University of Texas he returned to Melbourne where he was a faculty member in the optometry department setting up a neurobiology and visual psychophysics laboratory.  In 2021, he moved to the University of Auckland New Zealand where he was the Robert G Leitl professor of optometry and vision science.  During his time at the University of Auckland, he became head of school and associate dean of research within the faculty of science. He now holds an Adjunct Professorship at UNSW and is an Affiliate Professor at Deakin University continuing his clinical teaching to optometry students and his research activities.

Jason Marsack, PhD, FAAO 

Dr. Marsack is a scientist and engineer with a strong interest in applied and translational research.  His laboratory focuses on developing and translating optical correction strategies for eyes with poor visual quality (keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, Down syndrome) to the clinical environment and investigating the relationship between optical quality and visual performance.  Dr. Marsack is an associate professor at the University of Houston College of Optometry where he teaches geometric optics to students in the optometry professional program, advanced optical topics to students in the physiological optics program, and mentors students seeking the M.S. or Ph.D. degrees.

Ashley Wallace-Tucker, OD, FAAO, ABO Diplomate, FSLS (Conference Director)

Dr. Tucker received her Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO) where she also completed a Cornea and Contact Lens Residency. During her residency, she received extensive training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of corneal and anterior segment diseases, in complex contact lens fits and myopia management. Dr. Tucker spends the majority of her clinic time managing patients who are in need of specialty contact lenses or myopia management. Dr. Tucker is a partner at Bellaire Family Eye Care and The Contact Lens Institute of Houston. She is also a Visiting Assistant Professor at UHCO where she is the course master for the Ophthalmic Optics Laboratory. Through her affiliation with UHCO, she regularly provides continuing education on the topics of anterior segment disease, specialty contact lenses, myopia management and ophthalmic optics. She currently serves as the Public Education Chair for the Scleral Lens Education Society and is on the advisory board for the Gas Permeable Lens Institute (GPLI). 

Peter Cass, OD

Dr. Cass is a full-time associate with MyEyeDr. in Beaumont, TX, a Past President of the Texas Optometric Association and continues to serve on their third party, legal and legislative, and finance committees. He is also the Vice President of Practice Compliance Solutions, a, partner in EDO labs in Dallas, a clinical researcher for Alcon, Adjunct Faculty for UHCO, where he teaches practice management to the third-year students, and an auditor for Medicaid. He is a nationally recognized speaker on topics of billing, compliance, practice management, and anterior segment disease.

David Dinh, OD, FAAO

Dr. Dinh hails from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he received his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University in Biological Sciences with a minor in Chemistry. He then received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Houston College of Optometry where he received multiple honors and awards from his colleagues and professors in recognition for his excellence in pediatrics, as well as his leadership. Following optometry school, Dr. Dinh underwent an intensive residency in Ocular Disease at Cedar Springs Eye Clinic in Dallas, Texas, where he gained advanced training in the areas of glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and dry eye syndrome. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and maintains active memberships in the Texas Optometric Association, the American Optometric Association, the local Dallas County Optometric Society and the International Gold Key Honor Society.

Andrew Kemp, OD, FAAO

Dr. Kemp graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2010 and the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO) in 2014. Dr. Kemp completed an Ocular Disease residency at the Cedar Springs Eye Clinic in Dallas, Texas, a UHCO-affiliated community clinic. Currently, Dr. Kemp is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Cedar Springs Eye Clinic and the Community Eye Clinic working with fourth year optometry externs and residents. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor for the University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry. Additionally, Dr. Kemp is an Associate Optometrist at Kleiman Evangelista Eye Center and the Optometry Medical Records Quality Assurance Director for Lone Star Circle of Care in Austin, Texas. His research interests include the application of OCT-Angiography in the detection of retinal changes in diabetics, as well as the management of glaucoma. Dr. Kemp’s memberships include the Texas Optometric Association, American Optometric Association, and the Texas Public Health Association. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and serves as a consultant for the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education. He was named the 2022 American Optometric Association Optometric Educator of the Year.

Natalie Pirrone, MBA

Natalie Pirrone serves as the Education and Outreach Director for Poiema Foundation, a non-profit that fights human trafficking. Natalie holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Dallas Baptist University. While in school, she interned for RescueHer helping spread awareness about sex-trafficking. After earning her degrees, she went on to work as a Voice and Choice Advocate for Traffick911 where she worked directly with minors recovered from sex-trafficking in North Texas walking alongside them on their healing journey. In her current role, she passionately uses her background with education and first-hand experience to bring the public together to fight human trafficking.

Danica Marrelli, OD, FAAO, AAO Diplomate Glaucoma (Conference Director)

Dr. Marrelli received her doctor of optometry degree from the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO), and completed a residency in hospital-based optometry at the Baltimore VA Medical Center in Baltimore, MD.  She is currently a clinical professor at UHCO, where she serves as Assistant Dean of Clinical Education and staffs the glaucoma, retina, and general eye disease clinics.  In the classroom, Dr. Marrelli teaches ocular pharmacology, glaucoma and case-based learning courses. She became a diplomate in the ocular disease section of the American Academy of Optometry in November 2009 and is the vice president of the Optometric Glaucoma Society.

Lisa Ostrin, OD, PhD, FAAO, FARVO

Dr. Ostrin is an Associate Professor at the University of Houston College of Optometry. She completed the combined OD/PhD program at the University of Houston College of Optometry. Following graduate work focused in accommodative physiology, she went to John Hopkins University for post-doctoral research in low vision and retinal prosthetics. From there, she worked as a Clinician Researcher at the University of California Berkeley School of Optometry, with a focus on myopia and associations with glaucoma. She returned to the University of Houston as faculty to continue her work in myopia and circadian rhythms. In addition to research, Dr. Ostrin teaches gross and ocular anatomy, and has authored a book, Anatomy of the Human Eye: a Coloring Atlas. Dr. Ostrin is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, Gold Fellow of ARVO, and a recipient of the American Optometric Foundation Ezell Fellowship.

Samantha Wang, OD

Dr. Wang earned her Doctor of Optometry at the University of Houston College of Optometry where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. After graduation, she completed a residency in Primary Care at the Malcom Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Gainesville, Florida where she received extensive exposure and training on the management of ocular disease such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. Her residency also allowed her to rotate through specialty clinics including uveitis, retina, oculoplastic, and neuro-ophthalmology. Following her residency, she returned to UHCO to serve as clinical assistant professor. Her clinical interests include primary care optometry and ocular disease, especially diseases associated with systemic conditions.

Andrew Kemp, OD, FAAO (Conference Director)

Dr. Andrew Kemp graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2010 and the University of Houston College Of Optometry in 2014. Dr. Kemp completed an ocular disease residency at the Cedar Springs Eye Clinic in Dallas, TX, a UHCO-affiliated community clinic. Dr. Kemp is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and works with fourth year student externs at the Cedar Springs Eye Clinic and the Community Eye Clinic. Dr. Kemp’s clinical interests include diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, uveitis, keratoconus and the fitting of specialty contact lenses for a variety of corneal abnormalities. Dr. Kemp is a member of the Texas Optometric Association and American Optometric Association.

Rachel Redfern Rump, OD, PhD, FAAO

Dr. Redfern received her OD/PhD from the University of Houston, College of Optometry. Her laboratory is interested in ocular surface inflammation/infection, the impact of contact lenses (e.g. scleral gas permeable lenses) on normal and diseased eyes, and the functional and anatomical changes that occurs in the meibomian glands with age and disease. They perform human subject, animal, and in vitro studies. Dr. Redfern's laboratory is NIH funded to examine the impact of toll-like receptors on the production of damaging cytokines and matrix metalloproteases and beneficial antimicrobial peptides on the ocular surace. Dr. Redfern received the Institutional Ruth Kirschstein National Research Post-doctorate Award and the ARVO/Alcon Early Career Clinician-Scientist Research Award in 2006. She is a member of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the American Academy of Optometry and the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society and is also a past William C. Ezell Fellow.

David Dinh, OD, FAAO

Dr. Dinh hails from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he received his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University in Biological Sciences with a minor in Chemistry. He then received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Houston College of Optometry where he received multiple honors and awards from his colleagues and professors in recognition for his excellence in pediatrics, as well as his leadership. Following optometry school, Dr. Dinh underwent an intensive residency in Ocular Disease at Cedar Springs Eye Clinic in Dallas, Texas, where he gained advanced training in the areas of glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and dry eye syndrome. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and maintains active memberships in the Texas Optometric Association, the American Optometric Association, the local Dallas County Optometric Society and the International Gold Key Honor Society.

Andrew Kemp, OD, FAAO

Dr. Kemp graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2010 and the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO) in 2014. Dr. Kemp completed an Ocular Disease residency at the Cedar Springs Eye Clinic in Dallas, Texas, a UHCO-affiliated community clinic. Currently, Dr. Kemp is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Cedar Springs Eye Clinic and the Community Eye Clinic working with fourth year optometry externs and residents. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor for the University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry. Additionally, Dr. Kemp is an Associate Optometrist at Kleiman Evangelista Eye Center and the Optometry Medical Records Quality Assurance Director for Lone Star Circle of Care in Austin, Texas. His research interests include the application of OCT-Angiography in the detection of retinal changes in diabetics, as well as the management of glaucoma. Dr. Kemp’s memberships include the Texas Optometric Association, American Optometric Association, and the Texas Public Health Association. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and serves as a consultant for the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education. He was named the 2022 American Optometric Association Optometric Educator of the Year.

Natalie Pirrone, MBA

Natalie Pirrone serves as the Education and Outreach Director for Poiema Foundation, a non-profit that fights human trafficking. Natalie holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Dallas Baptist University. While in school, she interned for RescueHer helping spread awareness about sex-trafficking. After earning her degrees, she went on to work as a Voice and Choice Advocate for Traffick911 where she worked directly with minors recovered from sex-trafficking in North Texas walking alongside them on their healing journey. In her current role, she passionately uses her background with education and first-hand experience to bring the public together to fight human trafficking.

Marcus Gonzales, OD, FAAO, ABO Diplomate (Conference Director)

Dr. Gonzales received his undergraduate degree at Baylor University and completed his Doctor of Optometry degree at the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO) in 2006. He then went on to complete an Ocular Disease residency at Cedar Springs Eye Clinic, an inner-city charity clinic caring for a diseased, indigent population, in Dallas Texas. Currently, Dr. Gonzales is a Clinical Associate Professor and Director of the Cedar Springs Eye Clinic for UHCO.  He was named the 2009 Educator of the Year by the Texas Optometric Association, and he received a President’s Award in 2011. He is a Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry and a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry. His interests are in ocular disease, specifically glaucoma and retinal disease.

Amber Nichols, OD

Dr. Nichols earned her Doctor of Optometry from the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO) and then completed a Fellowship in Cornea and Contact Lenses with the Texas Eye Research and Technology Center (TERTC) at UHCO. During that time, she was involved in various corneal pathology research studies and presented case reports at national meetings. Dr. Nichols thrives to collaborate with other scholars to advance the profession of Optometry. She has a passion for helping patients with keratoconus and corneal transplants improve their vision with custom scleral lenses.

Janet Garza, OD, FAAO (Conference Director)

Dr. Garza received her Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO). She then went on to complete a residency in Community Based Family Practice with an emphasis on ocular disease. After working in private practice several years, Dr. Garza joined UHCO faculty as Clinical Assistant Professor. In addition to working with students and patients in clinic, she lectures in courses and is the Course Master for the Medical Procedures Lab. Dr. Garza is a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry and a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. She remains an active member of several organizations, including Harris County Optometric Association, Texas Optometric Association, Prevent Blindness Texas, American Public Health Association, and American Academy of Optometry.

Speakers Coming Soon!

Anita Ticak, OD, MS, FAAO (Conference Director)

Dr. Ticak received her combined OD/MS degrees from Ohio State College of Optometry (OSU) and completed a Residency in Cornea and Contact Lens at the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO) the following year. She is a Clinical Associate Professor devoting her time between didactic teaching, clinical teaching, and translational clinical research. Didactically, she is the course master of two courses that directly target transition of student classroom education into clinical application. Clinically, she is the co-founder and an attending faculty in the Dry Eye Service and is the Service Director of the Cornea Contact Lens Service. Dr. Ticak has a passion for evidence-based practice and prioritizes research that can help answer questions and optimize care to her patients. Her previous research was set in the VOI Lab creating custom wavefront-guided scleral lens solutions for the keratoconic population and for the last seven years she has been the primary clinical examiner for the BLINK studies which focus on myopia management for children. Dr. Ticak is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, she serves as a Topical Associate Editor for Optometry and Vision Science (OVS), and is a member of the editorial board for the Journal of Dry Eye and Ocular Surface Disease (JDEOSD).