Dr Hetal Buckhurst (B.Sc.(hons) MCOptom) graduated in Optometry from Aston University in 2004. After completing her pre-registration year in 2005, she continued to work in optometric practice for a further two years. Following this, Hetal took up the role of a Clinical Demonstrator at Aston University in 2008. In 2010, she completed her Ph.D. investigating scleral and ocular rigidity in humans and its possible links with myopia and other pathologies. After the Ph.D., Hetal acted as a temporary module leader for the Clinical Optometry module for the first-year Optometry program at Aston University. In July 2011, Hetal joined Plymouth University to set up a new BSc Optometry course. Also to developing the undergraduate programme, Hetal is actively involved in research relating to anterior segment biomechanics and myopia.

Mail:  hetal.buckhurst@plymouth.ac.uk

Earlier in 2013 Daniela Oehring (M.Sc. B.Sc.) joined Plymouth University as a Postgraduate Researcher in Vision Sciences. Daniela is a Bachelor and also a Master's of Science graduate in Optometry and Vision Sciences with distinction from the Ernst-Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena (Germany). Since 2010, she has lectured in contact lenses, sports vision as well as statistics and research methodology. Daniela has presented at national and international conferences in both Optometry and Ophthalmology. Additionally, she is the author of many publications and co-author of specialist books for the contact lens practitioner and also dry eyes. Her main research interests include biomechanical properties of the eye, the development of ophthalmic/ optometric instruments as well as dry eye, tear film assessment. Daniela is also highly interested in applied statistics in vision science research.

Mail:  daniela.oehring@plymouth.ac.uk

Dr Phillip Buckhurst (B.Sc.(hons) MCOptom) graduated from Aston University in 2003 with a degree in Optometry. Following this he practiced in the Northwest region before returning to Aston University in 2007 to complete a Ph.D. in advanced intraocular lens designs. After completing his Ph.D., he was appointed as Lecturer in Optometry at Plymouth University where he is currently a member of a team of academics tasked with developing a new undergraduate Optometry program. As well as developing the new program he is actively involved with research examining intraocular lens designs, the mechanism of accommodation and the effect of ocular aberrations.

Mail:  phillip.buckhurst@plymouth.ac.uk

Professor Nabil Habib (MBChB (hons.) FRCS FRCOphth

Hon. Professor, Consultant Ophthalmic & Corneal Transplant Surgeon) specialised in ophthalmology in Edinburgh, Scotland. On completion of training as a comprehensive ophthalmologist, he spent an additional year studying and researching refractive surgery and corneal transplantation. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and an examiner of ophthalmologists-in-training at the Royal Colleges. He is also a member of the European & the United Kingdom and Ireland Societies of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the United Kingdom Medical Contact Lens and Ocular Surface Association, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the International Society of Refractive Surgery. He has published articles in peer-reviewed ophthalmology journals and is certified to use excimer laser for correction of refractive errors with latest technologies including wavefront guided and wavefront optimised treatments.

As consultant surgeon at the Royal Eye Infirmary in Plymouth since 1997, and Hon. Professor in the University of Plymouth since 2013, he regularly performs major eye operations including corneal transplants, surgery to treat cataracts, glaucoma, and eye trauma as well as laser treatment. His sub-specialty interest is in refractive and vision correction surgery, procedures which can reduce or eliminate the need for corrective lenses, providing patients with improved vision and a new sense of freedom. He performs laser assisted in situ keratomeleusis (LASIK), limbal relaxing incisions (LRI), astigmatic keratotomy (AK), lamellar keratoplasty (LK), endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK), excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), laser assisted epithelial keratomeleusis (LASEK), Epi-LASIK, collagen cross-linking and clear lens extraction with advanced aspheric, toric and multifocal intra-ocular lens implantation.

Professor Habib is a passionate trainer, educator and a keen researcher. He is currently the Head of School of Ophthalmology at the Peninsula Postgraduate Medical Education and is in charge of the ophthalmology training programme for trainee ophthalmologists in the Southwest Peninsula and a member of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists training Committee.

David F. L. Jenkins holds the degrees of B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. in physics, and has been a Lecturer at Plymouth University since 1997. His research interests are focused on sensor applications and include surface plasmon resonance, nanocomposite films, functional thin films, MEMS and optical bio-medical physics. Since 2012 he has begun working with a number of India universities to develop teaching and research collaborations. Currently a College Member of EPSRC, he has recently been appointed as Hon. Visisting Professor and a Member of the International Advisory Committee for Engineering at Saveetha University, in Chennai, India. To date he has over 100 publications and conference presentations.

Stephanie Mackaus (B.Sc.) is a Master candidate in Optometry at Beuth University of Applied Science Berlin (Germany). In March 2015 she received the B.Sc. in Optometry. As part of a six month internship at Plymouth University she got an insight into research and clinical skills. This research was focussed on the biomechanical properties, which were a part of her bachelor thesis.
In october 2015 she is going to present a poster of her bachelor thesis at the AAO conference in New Orleans.

Prof Dr Edward Mallen

Lisa Philipp is a trained ophthalmic optician and a candidate for the Bachelor of Science in Optometry at Beuth University of Applied Science in Berlin (Germany). During her research internship Lisa spent five months with this research group. Based on these experiences Lisa gained precious knowledge about clinical studies and research work.

Professor Christine Purslow graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Ophthalmic Optics in 1991. Her pre-registration training was in hospital optometry, after which a variety of clinical roles followed including private practice, part-time teaching, and specialist contact lens and low vision practice. Embarking on the academic chapter in her career in 2002, Chris was awarded her PhD from Aston University in 2005. She is a member of the College of Optometrists (UK), and a Fellow of both the IACLE and the BCLA, and a recipient of the Irving Fatt Memorial Award for her work in anterior eye research. Chris has authored several scientific papers and professional articles, and regularly presents to both national and international audiences.

For several years, Chris was a senior lecturer and researcher in the School of Optometry & Vision Sciences at Cardiff University where, as Co-Director of the Contact Lens & Anterior Eye Research Unit (CLAER) she established her research interests examining the ocular surface and the tear film, hand hygiene, and evidence-based practice, alongside her clinical work. Chris has also been the Director of Postgraduate Taught Courses within WOPEC (Wales Optometry Postgraduate Education Centre), based at Cardiff University. Chris continues to take a keen interest in the key challenges for the profession at a national level, wishing to safeguard and develop the career aspirations and professional freedom of both those students she has taught in the past, and those she has the privilege to be involved with currently.

Mail:  -

Amelie Schultze (B.Sc.) is an Master of Science candidate in Optometry at Beuth University of Applied Science in Berlin (Germany). In March 2015 she graduated in Optometry. During her Bachelor studies Amelie completed a six months research internship at Plymouth University. At Plymouth she was involved in research regarding the biomechanics of the anterior segment. Furthermore she is taking part at national conferences in Optometry. In october 2015 she is going to present a poster of her bachelor thesis at the AAO conference in New Orleans.