Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are a primary means of implementing ASCO’s mission of “fulfilling the leadership role in the optometric education enterprise” and for addressing the Association’s Strategic Objectives of faculty development and faculty involvement. They are a practical way to meet special needs and interests within the optometric education enterprise.
SIG Contacts
Advancement
Matthew Asciutto (ICO), Chair
masciutto@ico.edu
Larry Messing (IUSO), Vice-chair
lmessing@iu.edu
Binocular Vision, Perception and Pediatrics Educators
Dr. Jennifer Fisher, Chair
jenhfisher@berkeley.edu
Biomedical Science Educators
Dr. Alaina R. Bandstra
Abanstra@ico.edu
Clinical Directors/Administrators
Dr. Dominic Opitz (ICO), Chair
DOpitz@ico.edu
Clinical Optometric Methods & Procedures Instructors
Dr. Alia Khalaf (MCPHS), Chair
alia.khalaf@mcphs.edu
Continuing Education Directors
Michelena Buckhingham (PUCO), Chair
mikibuckingham@pacificu.edu
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Dr. Parres Wright (CCO), Chair
pwrigh1@midwestern.edu
Educational Technology
Dr. Thomas Wong (SUNY), Chair
tawong@sunyopt.edu
Ethics Educators
TBD
Externship Directors
Dr. Linda Du (UMSL), Co-Chair
nguyenlt@umsl.edu
Dr. Joan Sears (UPike), Vice Chair
joansears@upike.edu
Dr. Candice Turner (UAB), Co-Chair
citurner@uab.edu
International Optometric Educators
Dr. Sankaran Ramaswamy, (MCPHS), Chair
shankaran.ramaswamy@mcphs.edu
Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice
Dr. Julie Tyler, Chair
jtyler@ketchum.edu
Dr. Benedicte (Benny) Gonzalez, Vice Chair
bgonzalez@ketchum.edu
Low Vision Educators
Dr. Nicole Ross (NECO) Chair
rossn@neco.edu
Neuro-rehab Educators
Dr. Daniella Rutner (SUNY), Chair
drutner@sunyopt.edu
Dr. Amar Sayani (NOVA), Vice Chair
asayani@nova.edu
Ocular Surface Disease Educators
Dr. Anna Ablamowicz Tichenor, Chair
annatich@iu.edu
Ophthalmic Optics Educators
Dr. Corina Van de Pol, Chair
cvandepo@highpoint.edu
Dr. George Asemillis, Vice-Chair
asimellisg@neco.edu
Dr. Michelle Hoff, Vice-Chair
mhoff@berkeley.edu
Public Health Educators
Dr. Jennifer Hue (SUNY), Chair
jhue@sunyopt.edu
TBD, Chair-elect
Residency Educators
Dr. Caroline Pate (UAB), Chair
Dr. Judy Tong (SCCOMBKU), Co-Chair
Vision Science Librarians
Heather Edmonds (NECO), Co-chair
edmondsh@neco.edu
