A Message from Dr. Emily Cooper
By Liza Shevchuk
Dear Alumni and Friends of the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science,
My name is Emily Cooper, and I am the Chair of our Vision Science PhD program as well as an Associate Professor of Optometry and Vision Science. As we approach this year’s Big Give, I want to share more about our Vision Science PhD program and highlight the Vision Science Annual Fund as a meaningful way to support our efforts in 2025.
In my role as Chair, I have the privilege of working closely with our brilliant PhD students, post-doctoral scholars, and community of faculty in optometry and beyond. Every day, I witness their drive, imagination, and commitment to advancing vision science research and its real-world impact. Not only do our program’s trainees conduct cutting-edge research in vision science, they also volunteer their expertise and enthusiasm in local elementary schools, organize their own scientific conference, and play an integral role in our educational mission as (outstanding) Graduate Student Instructors.
Like many research fields today, the future of vision science depends on strong support for our trainees. I invite you — our valued alumni, donors, and friends — to help us sustain and grow our impact by making a gift to the Vision Science Annual Fund on March 13th during this year’s Big Give. Your generosity allows Dean Bentley and me to provide essential resources that empower our students to lead the way in vision science research.
To learn more about our faculty, research, and students, please visit our website. Your support makes a difference, and we are grateful for your commitment to the future of vision science.
Go Bears and Happy Big Give,
Emily Cooper, PhD
Associate Professor, Optometry and Vision Science
Chair, Vision Science Graduate Program
Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science