Advancing Vision Summit Program

L. Wayne Spencer, MS, CCRC serves as Director of the Clinical Vision Research Center at the

Dean VanNasdale, OD, PhD earned his Doctor of Optometry from the Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University in

SUNY College of Optometry where he provides leadership and oversight for sponsored and investigator-initiated clinical research projects focused on advancing eye and vision care. With more than 20 years of clinical

2003, completed a cornea and contact lens residency at Indiana University in 2004, and received his MS in Clinical Research and PhD in Vision Science from Indiana University in 2011.

research experience, he oversees the development and conduct of clinical trials and human-subject research, supporting a program that has facilitated over 120 studies. As Director, he works closely with investigators, research associates, study coordinators, and clinical research faculty to support the development, initiation, coordination, and conduct of clinical trials and other human-subject research projects. Mr. Spencer received his Master of Science degree from Thomas Edison State University (TESU), is a member of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP), and a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC). He is dedicated to fostering research and organizational excellence, strengthening clinical research infrastructure, and expanding opportunities for scientific discovery and improved patient outcomes in vision science. Felicia Timmermann, OD, MS, FAAO is a pediatric optometrist and a

Dr. VanNasdale’s research spans two areas: population health data analysis, studying associations between health determinants and vision impairment to inform policy and resource allocation; and advanced retinal imaging and visual function, focusing on normal aging versus pathological changes from diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and traumatic brain injury, with the goal of detecting sight-threatening disease earlier. He teaches Public Health and Environmental Vision to first-year optometry students and instructs in Contact Lens Services at Ohio State’s College of Optometry, where he also studies contact lens-related visual performance and complications. He holds leadership roles in academic and health advocacy organizations and has received the American Public Health Association’s Outstanding Project and Distinguished Service Awards and Prevent Blindness’ Jenny Pomeroy Award.

Xiaoying Zhu, OD, PhD is Lead Clinician for Myopia Management at the University

member of the Professional and Academic Affairs team at CooperVision, where she serves as the Senior Advisor of Myopia Management. In this role, she assists in the strategic development and implementation of education on myopia management

Eye Center and a faculty member at SUNY College of Optometry, where she integrates patient care, research, and education to

advance the understanding and control of myopia. Her education

for eye care practitioners and academic programs. Dr. Timmermann earned her optometric degree with honors from the Illinois College of Optometry and completed a residency in pediatric optometry at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in the Department of Ophthalmology. She also obtained a Master of Science in Global Health from Northwestern University. Prior to her role at CooperVision, Dr. Timmermann practiced at St. Louis Children’s Hospital in the Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology and at Nova Southeastern University - College of Optometry, where she served as an Assistant Professor, the Chief of KID Clinic, and the Director of Myopia Management.

spans ophthalmology residency training in China, PhD in Australia, and an OD degree from New England College of Optometry, providing a uniquely interdisciplinary perspective on eye growth and vision development. Dr. Zhu’s research explores both visual and non-visual factors that influence myopia progression, with the goal of developing effective strategies to protect children’s vision. She serves as principal investigator on multiple myopia-control clinical trials and mentors the next generation of clinicians and scientists. An internationally recognized leader in the field, she serves as Section Chair for the ARVO Annual Meeting Program Committee and received the National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research Emerging Vision Scientist Award in 2020.

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