Perception and Visual Cognition

Dr. Agostino Gibaldi of the Banks Lab is interested in extending models of sensory processing and oculo-motor behavior from laboratory settings to complex stimuli that more closely resemble real world conditions.

A cartoon illustration of a woman wearing a VR headset and stretching one hand out in front of her.

Eye Tech

A growing number of Vision Science PhDs are finding scientific satisfaction in a demanding and rewarding new industry environment

Using Eye Movements to Diagnose Brain Health

Inside the Lab of Dr. Jorge Otero-Millan

Dr. Michael Silver

Michael Silver, Professor of Optometry and Vision Science and Neuroscience, in his lab on the Berkeley campus. The brains behind Dr. Silver are those of his two sons, Talyn and Gryphon. The artwork was made by his wife Jenny as lab warming gift.

Tracking the Evolution of a Theory

A theory proposed 100 years ago has led to a path of inquiry and discovery that continues to engage and challenge the school’s research community.

Berkeley Scientists Discover Retinal Cells that Help Stabilize Our World View

The discovery will enable researchers to better understand eye movement disorders that cause significant visual impairment.

An Audacious Goal

A collaboration to cure blindness with retinal cell transplants.

Adaptive Optics

Swati Bhargava from the Roorda lab. The question that motivates the research in the Roorda lab is, "how do humans convert the two-dimensional images that land on the retina into such a rich perceptual experience?"

Colorful pop art illustration of a woman wearing smartglasses.

Smartglasses for All

Berkeley Optometry and Vision Science professor Dr. Emily Cooper has received a five-year NSF Faculty Early Career Development Grant for her project, Smartglasses for All.

Perception and Visual Cognition

Eye Tech

A growing number of Vision Science PhDs are finding scientific satisfaction in a demanding and rewarding new industry environment

Using Eye Movements to Diagnose Brain Health

Inside the Lab of Dr. Jorge Otero-Millan

Dr. Michael Silver

Tracking the Evolution of a Theory

A theory proposed 100 years ago has led to a path of inquiry and discovery that continues to engage and challenge the school’s research community.

Berkeley Scientists Discover Retinal Cells that Help Stabilize Our World View

The discovery will enable researchers to better understand eye movement disorders that cause significant visual impairment.

An Audacious Goal

A collaboration to cure blindness with retinal cell transplants.

Adaptive Optics

Smartglasses for All

Berkeley Optometry and Vision Science professor Dr. Emily Cooper has received a five-year NSF Faculty Early Career Development Grant for her project, Smartglasses for All.

Perception and Visual Cognition

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PhD Program
By Jan 11

News

A Promising New Approach to Protecting the Nerves of the Eye and Preserving Vision

December 6th, 2024

Regulation of Disease-Associated Microglia in the Optic Nerve by Lipoxin B4 and Ocular Hypertensionar Neurodegeneration.

A Paradoxical Misperception of Relative Motion

December 4th, 2024

A new paper published in PNAS by the Roorda Lab.

Vision Science Program Application

September 30th, 2024

Join us for a webinar on December 19, 2024 and apply by January 11, 2025!

Oxyopia Fall 2024 Lectures

September 9th, 2024

Oxyopia is a seminar series featuring lectures on basic, clinical, and applied research in vision.

Meet Our New Dean!

July 9th, 2024

Sharon A. Bentley has been selected as the 9th dean of the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science.

Our Vision, Our Future

December 8th, 2023

A campaign initiated by the transformational $50 million gift from the Wertheim Family Foundation.

Fields of Research

Faculty

The Vision Science faculty constitute a prestigious group of educators and researchers. Click the arrow to learn more about them, including research interests, contact information and links to lab websites.

Students

About 40 graduate students are currently enrolled in the Vision Science program. Their backgrounds include degrees in psychology, biology, engineering, computer science, or optometry.

Admissions

Berkeley is the No. 1 public university in the world. Our students and faculty come from different places and backgrounds, but together we create a vibrant and dynamic community that seeks to create a better world. Join us!