ViSUR Testimonials

Jocelyn Tao
Jocelyn, a senior at UC Santa Barbara majoring in Psychological and Brain Sciences, joined ViSUR to explore vision science in a new academic environment. At Berkeley, she applied her computational background to clinical research on amblyopia in the Levi Lab, gaining new skills and insight into PhD-level work. Her experience helped shape her academic direction, and we’re excited to welcome her back this Fall 2025 semester as a PhD student in the Vision Science Program!

“Even though I entered ViSUR with prior vision science experience, the program’s flexible and welcoming structure made it accessible and engaging for anyone with an interest in eyes and vision. From basic science to high-level applications and from computational theory to clinical perspectives, ViSUR offered it all, with opportunities spanning academia and industry.”

Priyam Baruah
Priyam, a rising junior studying molecular and cellular biology at UC Berkeley, joined ViSUR to explore a research area outside her usual focus — and found value in its clinical connection. With labs located above the clinic, she saw firsthand how scientific work could directly inform patient care. The experience broadened her perspective as a researcher and sparked a deeper interest in translational medicine, which she continues to explore through her current internship at Bakar Labs' BioEnginuity Hub.

“I chose to do the ViSUR program because it was a great opportunity to explore an area of research I’ve never delved into before... I also loved the collaborative and inviting nature of the program (shout to my mentor Dr. Sonal Aswin Vyas and Dr. Wildsoet!) who cultivated such a welcoming environment that allowed for so much creativity and intellectual stimulation everyday!”

Thelonious Cooper
Thelonious, an electrical engineering major with a background in drone and embedded systems research, joined ViSUR in search of more human-centered applications for his technical skills. At Berkeley, he worked with Jake Yates and Jorge Otero-Millan to develop software for modeling ocular-motor control, immersing himself in interdisciplinary fields like control theory and cognitive neuroscience. The experience helped reshape his academic direction – and ultimately inspired him to pursue a PhD in EECS at UC Berkeley, where he now explores how engineering can serve broader societal good.

"I would highly recommend the ViSUR program to any students interested in deepening their interest at the intersection of health, science, and technology. I think engineering students, such as myself, may find it especially enlightening. ViSUR offers a perspective on what engineers can do for humanity that I may have never otherwise encountered."

Read what Jocelyn, Priyam, Thelonious and fellow ViSUR participants had to say about the program by clicking the button below.