# Short-Term Training of Students in Health Professional Schools

> **NIH NIH T35** · STATE COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY · 2020 · $37,565

## Abstract

We request a continuation of the T35 Training Program at the State University of New York College of
Optometry that has existed for over 30 years. The purpose of the program is to introduce optometry students to
basic, translational, and clinical optometric and vision science research by participating full-time for ten weeks
in a research project mentored by one of the 13 members of our distinguished research faculty. Research
programs of the training faculty include cell biology, ocular pharmacology, visual psychophysics, computational
modeling, visual neuroscience, neuroregeneration, neuroprotection, optics, and clinical vision science. In
addition to research, trainees will attend research colloquia, graduate seminars, journal clubs, and a course in
Scientific Ethics and the Responsible Conduct of Research. It is expected that this experience will provide
trainees with both technical and problem solving skills that will inspire them to include vision research as one
important component of their future career as optometrists. In the most favorable scenario, highly motivated
trainees will choose to continue their research by entering the combined O.D.-M.S. or O.D.-Ph.D. graduate
programs in Vision Science and thereby obtain both a clinical and a research degree. The training will be
conducted within the 50,000 sq. ft. of state-of-the-art basic, translational, and clinical research space at the
College. The College also maintains computer, electronic, graphic, and extensive library facilities that are freely
available to the trainees. Trainees will consist of optometry students from any of the schools of optometry in
the US who have completed their first or second year of the professional program and have shown high
academic achievement. The Training Program strives to provide trainees the clinician/researcher interface that
is essential to bringing the latest scientific discoveries to the clinic. This experience is aimed at providing
students, and later to be doctors, the knowledge and skillset to both continue in research and to provide the
latest and most optimal vision treatment and care to their patients.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9930981
- **Project number:** 2T35EY020481-11
- **Recipient organization:** STATE COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY
- **Principal Investigator:** Stewart Allen Bloomfield
- **Activity code:** T35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $37,565
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2010-01-08 → 2025-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9930981

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9930981, Short-Term Training of Students in Health Professional Schools (2T35EY020481-11). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9930981. Licensed CC0.

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