# Short-term research training at New England College of Optometry

> **NIH NIH T35** · NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY · 2024 · $50,811

## Abstract

Project Summary
We are requesting continued support for the short term research training program at the
New England College of Optometry (NECO), to run from 5/1/2020 through 4/30/2025.
Each year the program will support 8 eligible pre-doctoral students, mainly from NECO.
The program will introduce these future optometrists to laboratory-based research, with
the goal of encouraging future career choices as clinician-scientists or academic faculty.
During the program students will learn how to perform a rigorous research project,
through participation in their assigned laboratory and in weekly seminars on topics such
as the ethical conduct of science, critical literature review, and statistical analysis of
data. They will gain experience in oral presentations and scientific writing, and learn
how research results can be translated into clinical practice. Students will be exposed to
research on topics such as low vision, ocular aberrations, ROP, circadian rhythms of
eye growth, and effects of lighting on myopia. By the end of the program students
should have a clear understanding of what is involved in conducting rigorous research
and presenting results, both orally and in writing.
Applications are solicited from students at NECO and other colleges of optometry. The
applicants with the strongest academic records and recommendations are accepted into
the program. They have a wide range of research ability and experience, which we take
into account in assigning mentors. The mentor is responsible for guiding the student
through all stages of the program. Most of our mentors are established researchers,
with a few new junior faculty members added to the list, to be supervised by the
program director and co-director. Most of the participating faculty members have
funding from NIH or other external or internal sources.
If past performance is any indication, some of these new students will choose to pursue
a Master’s degree in addition to the OD, and a few will include research as part of their
career plans. Research-trained doctors can have a significant impact on patient care or
in the classroom when training future optometrists.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10845474
- **Project number:** 5T35EY007149-25
- **Recipient organization:** NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY
- **Principal Investigator:** Athanasios Panorgias
- **Activity code:** T35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $50,811
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1999-06-01 → 2025-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10845474

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10845474, Short-term research training at New England College of Optometry (5T35EY007149-25). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10845474. Licensed CC0.

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