About Our College | Faculty Directory

Dr. Jan P.G. Bergmanson received his optometric training and PhD at the City University, London. In addition, he obtained a Doctor of Optometry degree from Pennsylvania College of Optometry. Currently, Dr. Bergmanson is Professor of Optometry at the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO), where he is the founding Director of the Texas Eye Research and Technology Center (TERTC). He has extensively researched and lectured internationally on subjects of corneal morphological response to contact lens wear, tear and ophthalmic solution effects on the ocular surface, histopathology of ocular tissues damaged by ultraviolet radiation, and the effects of the Excimer Laser on the cornea. In addition to private optometric practice, Dr. Bergmanson, certified in Texas as a Therapeutic Optometrist and as an Optometric Glaucoma Specialist, has provided patient care in several hospital and university clinics. Dr. Bergmanson is a Foundation Fellow of the College of Optometry in United Kingdom, where he remains licensed to practice, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, where he is a Diplomate in the Cornea and Contact Lens Section. He is a member of the Texas Optometric Association (TOA), American Optometric Association (AOA), Association of Contact Lens Educators, and International Association of Contact Lens Educators. He is a council member of the International Society for Contact Lens Research and a lifetime honorary member of the Swedish and Dutch Optometric Associations, to which he also serves as a consultant. Dr. Bergmanson is the recipient of the 1998 British Contact Lens Association Gold Medal Award, the 2002 Texas Optometric Association's Educator of the Year Award, the University of Houston College of Optometry 2003 Cora and J. Davis Armistead Faculty Teaching Award and the 2005 Swedish Optometric Association's Mark of Honor Award.

David A. Berntsen, OD, PhD, FAAO completed his Doctor of Optometry degree in 2002 at the University of Houston College of Optometry in Houston, TX. He then completed a Cornea and Contact Lens Advanced Practice Fellowship at The Ohio State University College of Optometry in Columbus, OH. The fellowship program combined a two-year residency with a Master of Science degree in Vision Science, which Dr. Berntsen completed in 2004. He then completed a PhD in Vision Science at Ohio State in 2009.

Education and Training:  B.A.degree, University of South Florida; Doctor of Optometry degree, Southern College of Optometry; Residency Certificate from VA Medical Center, Kansas City, MO, with emphasis in low vision and ocular pathology

Professional Experiences: Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry; member of the Texas Optometric Association and awarded their “Young Optometrist of the Year” and “Molly Armstrong Leadership” Awards; member of the American Optometric Association and has participated on or chaired several national committees including the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Committee; lectured nationally and internationally on low vision and vision rehabilitation; formerly produced syndicated radio program geared toward persons with low vision and reading disabilities called “Carman and Thompson;” formerly a member and the Chair of the Texas Optometry Board after being Texas Governor appointed twice; Texas Rehabilitation Association “Physician of the Year” Award; published “Talc Retinopathy” article; participated on Independent Review Board reviewing pharmaceutical research studies; served as an investigator in clinical studies

Dr. Chandler obtained her Doctor of Optometry degree from The Ohio State University College of Optometry in 2003. She completed a residency in Binocular Vision and Pediatrics in 2004 from University of Missouri-St. Louis. After her residency, Dr. Chandler returned to The Ohio State University College of Optometry and served as a clinical instructor in Pediatrics/Binocular Vision, the Ohio State School for the Blind Service, and the Primary Care Service. She was a staff optometrist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Ophthalmology Clinic, where she provided direct patient care and served as a board member for the Ohio Amblyope Registry for over six years. Upon relocating to Jacksonville, Florida, Dr. Chandler worked in the research clinic at Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, where she served as a clinical investigator for over 200 clinical trials, a principal investigator for over 50 trials, and as a medical writer/quality assurance specialist.

In 2016, she joined the University Of Houston College Of Optometry as a Visiting Assistant Professor. She is a co-investigator for the Bifocal Lenses in Nearsighted Kids (BLINK) study, assists in the Pediatric and Strabismus Laboratories for second and third year optometry students, and is a clinical attending in the Family Practice Service.

She is a member of the Texas Optometric Association, American Optometric Association and is currently working on earning her Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry.

Her research and clinical interests include Pediatrics, Amblyopia, Contact Lenses, and Myopia Control.

Dr. Cheng earned both her PhD and OD degrees from the University of Houston, College of Optometry. After graduation, she became an associate in a private practice at Sugarland, Texas. She joined the MacGregor Medical Association in 1999 and practiced optometry there until she became a faculty member at the UH College of Optometry in 2002.

Dr. Coates received his PhD in Vision Science from the University of California, Berkeley in 2015, where he studied letter recognition, peripheral visual perception, and crowding, using psychophysics and computational modeling. After postdoctoral appointments in Belgium and Switzerland studying the relationships between crowding, attention, and appearance, he joined the faculty of UHCO in 2017.

His research and teaching interests include spatial vision, color vision, reading, and statistical and psychophysical methods. He is passionate about the use of open source tools for experimentation, analysis, and learning.

I received my undergraduate degree from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, India in 1992 majoring in Electronics Engineering. I then moved to the United States for graduate studies and completed a M.S and Ph.D. degree in 1998 in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. My work, carried out under the mentorship of Dr. John Leigh, primarily examined the interactions between visual-oculomotor and vestibular systems. I did post-doctoral work at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University with Dr. Michael Mustari from 1999 to 2002. During this time I learnt the technique of single cell extracellular recording in the awake-behaving monkey and also became interested in examining visual-oculomotor mechanisms in the strabismic primate. I was appointed to the faculty at Emory University in 2002 and received an independent investigator award from the National Institutes of Health in 2004 to study neural circuits mediating binocular coordination of eye movements in the strabismic monkey. I have since maintained continued NIH funding. I joined the faculty of the College of Optometry, University of Houston in 2009. The goal of research in my laboratory is to continue to uncover the disruption of neural processing in various brain areas in the strabismic monkeys. A better understanding of neural mechanisms that are affected in the different forms of strabismus will help develop rationally based therapy.

Originally from Houston, TX, Dr. Jennifer L. Deakins attended the University of Miami in Florida for undergraduate studies and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, focusing on public health. She received her Doctor of Optometry Degree from the University of Houston College of Optometry, graduating Magna Cum Laude and completed internships focusing on glaucoma, retinal disease, and LASIK co-management. She completed a year-long residency in Ocular Disease at Cedar Springs Eye Clinic in Dallas, TX. She serves on the Board of Trustees for the Texas Optometric Association and is active in Grassroots and Legislative efforts. Dr. Deakins has presented continuing education on Neuroimaging, B Scan Technology, and Retina Vascular Complications. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry and a candidate for Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry.

Currently, Dr. Deakins is the Clinic Director of Community Eye Clinic in Fort Worth. An outreach clinic of UHCO, this clinic serves the under-privileged patients of Fort Worth and is a student externship site for UHCO and Rosenberg College of Optometry.

Karen Fern received her Doctor of Optometry from Pacific University College of Optometry and completed a residency in pediatric optometry at the University of Houston College of Optometry. She is a fellow in the American Academy of Optometry and a member of the American Optometric Association and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. Dr. Fern's teaching includes the areas of pediatric optometry and binocular vision and involves both classroom and clinical attending. She serves as Director of Residency Programs and Director of the Pediatric and Binocular Vision Service. Dr. Fern's research interests include vision development, binocular vision, myopia, and quality of life instruments. She was the recipient of the American Academy of Optometry Garland Clay in 1987 recognizing her outstanding publication in the Journal of Optometry and Physiological Optics. 

Dr. Frishman received her undergraduate degree from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie N.Y. and her MS and PhD in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. She did postdoctoral training in visual neuroscience at Northwestern University and the University of California San Francisco where she also was a research faculty member. She joined the Optometry faculty in the College of Optometry in 1990, and she has taught in both the professional and graduate programs. Her research has focused on refining noninvasive electrophysiological approaches for evaluating retinal and anterior visual pathway function in normal subjects and subjects with inherited or acquired diseases that affect visual function.

Dr. Frishman is on the editorial board of Translational Vision Science and Technology (TVST) an academic editor for Plos One, and she was Editor-in-Chief of the journal, Visual Neuroscience (2001-2007), and Documenta Ophthalmologica (2006-2013). She has served on federal grant review panels, the NIH/NEI National Advisory Eye Council, and she is a fellow of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (FARVO), American Academy of Optometry (FAAO) and a board member of the International Society for the Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV). 

Dr. Garza graduated from The University of Texas at Austin prior to obtaining her optometric training at the University of Houston College of Optometry in 2013. Dr. Garza then went on to complete a residency in Community Based Family Practice with an emphasis on ocular disease. After working in private practice several years, Dr. Garza joined the UHCO faculty in 2017 as Clinical Assistant Professor where she currently serves as Clinical Director of the UH Eye Center- Heights clinic. She remains an active member of Harris County Optometric Association, Texas Optometric Association, American Optometric Association, and American Academy of Optometry among other organizations. In addition to working with students and patients in clinic, she also lectures in courses and teaches in a laboratory setting.

Dr. Gaume Giannoni received her O.D. degree from the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO) in 2001 and completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Cornea and Contact Lens Research with the Texas Eye Research and Technology Center the following year. Dr. Gaume Giannoni is a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry, a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and is certified in Texas as an Optometric Glaucoma Specialist. She is on the Editorial Board for Advanced Ocular Care and is a journal reviewer for Optometry and Optometry and Vision Science. Dr. Gaume Giannoni writes a recurrent dry eye column in Contact Lens Spectrum and is also a contributing editor for Ocular Surface News.

Currently, Dr. Gaume Giannoni is a Clinical Professor at UHCO, where she lectures in the clinic, didactic and laboratory curriculums. She serves as the Course Master for two clinic procedures labs and is the Co-Course Master for the entire second year optometry class. Dr. Gaume Giannoni is also the Founding Director of the Dry Eye Center at the University Eye Institute where she sees specialty dry eye patients.

A native of Toledo, Ohio, Dr. Gavin Gerondale received his undergraduate degree, a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma and completed his Doctor of Optometry degree at Northeastern Oklahoma State University College of Optometry, Tahlequah, Oklahoma. After 25 years of private practice in the Houston Area Dr. Gerondale now serves as the Director of the UH Mobile Eye Institute. For more information see: https://www.opt.uh.edu/patient-care/mobile-eye-institute/

Dr. Gonzales completed his OD degree from the University of Houston College of Optometry in 2006. He then went onto to complete an ocular disease residency at the now Cedar Springs Eye Clinic (formerly Bridge Builders) in Dallas, TX. He currently serves as the clinic director of the inner-city charity clinic caring for the diseased indigent population. He is a fellow in the American Academy of Optometry and was named the 2009 Educator of the Year by the Texas Optometric Association as well as received a President’s Award in 2011. His interests are in ocular disease, specifically glaucoma and retinal disease.

Since graduating from the Southern California College of Optometry in 1977, Dr. Hanlon has earned a master of science in higher education degree as well as completing numerous graduated hours in instructional technology. From 1999 to the present he has been a full-time clinical associate professor at the University of Houston, College of Optometry teaching clinical procedures laboratories, serving as a clinical attending in family practice and performing the duties of director of instructional technology. Prior to his appointment at UHCO, Dr. Hanlon was in private practice in the state of Washington four years, an instructor at SCCO for six years, chief of the eye clinic at an HMO on Guam for nine years, assistant professor and department chair at SCO for three years. 

Dr. Ralph Herring is a native Texan and third-generation optometrist.   He was born and raised in Amarillo and came to the University of Houston to complete his undergraduate as well as Doctor of Optometry degrees.  This was followed by a Residency in Family Practice Optometry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry.  Following one year of private practice in Lubbock, Dr. Herring returned to his alma mater to join the University of Houston faculty where he has now been for over thirty years.

Dr. Herring currently serves as the Assistant Dean for Professional Studies as well as the Director of External Education and Third-Year Clinic Course master...  As Director of External Education, Dr. Herring administers the senior level clinical training program which utilizes a network of over seventy affiliated public and private clinics located locally, statewide, and across the country.

Dr. Herring is a Clinical Professor and is a clinical instructor in multiple patient services in the University Eye Institute.  He has also served on many college committees.

Dr. Herring became a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry in 2014. He completed a Master of Healthcare Administration degree from Texas Woman’s University in 2001.  Professional memberships include the American Optometric Association, the Texas Optometric Association and Beta Sigma Kappa.

Dr. Herring continues his family’s strong commitment to volunteer service.  He has been a Special Olympics volunteer for nearly 25 years and is now a Regional Clinical Advisor for the Special Olympics Lions Club International Opening Eyes program.  Dr. Herring also serves on the Board of Directors of Special Olympics Texas.  He has been a member of Lions Club International since 1983, and he currently serves on the Endowment Board of the Montrose Center

Dr. Nicole Hooper received her Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology from University of Wyoming and earned her Doctor of Optometry from Southern California College of Optometry.  She completed a Residency in Low Vision Rehabilitation at University of Houston College of Optometry and is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor. 

Dr. Hooper has clinical interest in all facets of low vision rehabilitation, with an emphasis on multi-disciplinary collaborative care.  She enjoys teaching and learning, and finds working in low vision rehabilitation is both challenging and rewarding, but what she values most is the relationships she has with her patients.  She has acquired a particular affinity for working with students with multiple impairments, serving as a board member of the Pediatric Cortical Visual Impairment Society, and is part of a multi-disciplinary collaborative work group on PCVI.  She is an Advisor to the Executive Committee for the Houston Area Visually Impaired Network (HAVIN), serves on the Center for Students with DisABILITIES Advisory Board at the University of Houston, and also participates in the Elder Service Provider Network facilitated by the United Way of Greater Houston.  

Li-Fang Hung, B.Med.., Ph.D., O.D. Research Scientist E-MAIL: Lhung2@uh.edu PHONE: (713)743-2038 Bio Dr. Hung received his B.Medicine degree from Chung-Shan Medical and Dental College in Taiwan. In addition, Dr. Hung received his PhD and OD degree from the University of Houston, College of Optometry. Before he came to Houston, he had two years OBGYN clinical experience in military service, four years residency training in ophthalmology at National Taiwan University Hospital in Taiwan, and two years post-doctoral training in infectious diseases in the Department of Medicine at Stanford University, CA. He is currently working with Dr. Earl Smith OD, PhD as a research scientist on experiments that investigate visual/environmental influences on the development of refractive errors in monkeys. Research Interests Emmetropization and myopia Clinical Interests All eye diseases and vision problems Publications Please see C. V. 

Dr. Kassaundra Johnston received her Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO). After graduation, she stayed at UHCO to complete a residency in Neuro-optometric Rehabilitation. Dr. Johnston is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor at UHCO where she attends in Pediatrics clinic (primary and specialty), Brain Injury Vision Assessment & Rehabilitation Service, and Non-invasive Objective Visual Assessment (NOVA) Service. In her first year as faculty, Dr. Johnston successfully expanded the UHCO Pediatrics service to include a new clinic, for which she is the Director, called SNAPS (Special Needs Adult and Pediatric Service) that specializes in examining teen and adult special needs populations. She is also credentialed at The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital) and Houston Methodist Hospital, inpatient neuro-rehabilitation hospitals, where she works with current residents to see inpatients for functional visual assessments. She is currently the Director of the Brain Injury Vision Rehabilitation Residency at UHCO. Dr. Johnston is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and is a member of the American Optometric Association. She lectures for continuing education programs as well as teaches in both classroom and clinical settings.

Dr. Casey Johnston graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology from Florida State University. He then completed a Doctorate of Optometry degree at the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO). After graduation, he entered private practice in the Houston area while also serving as an Adjunct faculty at UHCO.

Dr. Johnston joined the faculty as a Clinical Assistant Professor in 2015. He has a wide array of interests but his primary areas of clinical practice include patient care in the Family Practice Service and surgical co-management in the Ambulatory Surgical Center.

Dr. Matt Kauffman received his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. He attended the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO), where he earned his Doctor of Optometry. Afterwards, Dr. Kauffman completed a Residency in Cornea and Contact Lenses at the University of Missouri St. Louis College of Optometry.

Upon completion of his residency, Dr. Kauffman returned to Houston, Texas and worked in a private practice fitting specialty contact lenses. He was also adjunct clinical faculty at the University of Houston College of Optometry.

Dr. Kauffman later joined UHCO as a full-time visiting assistant professor. He enjoys teaching in the Cornea and Contact Lens Service and performing research in the Visual Optics Institute. He also lectures and publishes on the topics of specialty contact lenses and corneal disease.

He is a fellow in the American Academy of Optometry and the Scleral Lens Society, and a member of the American Optometric Association and Texas Optometric Association.

Dr. Lucy Kehinde attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she earned her B.S. in Integrative Biology with a minor in Chemistry in 2005. She then went on to earn her Ph.D. in Vision Sciences in 2009 and O.D. Degree in 2013 from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry in Birmingham, AL. Following the professional program, she completed a Primary Care residency with an emphasis in cornea and contact lens in 2014 at Indiana University School of Optometry in Bloomington, IN.

Dr. Kehinde is now a Therapeutic Optometrist and Optometric Glaucoma Specialist in Houston, TX. After working in private and commercial practice settings, she joined the faculty at University of Houston College of Optometry as Assistant Clinical Professor in 2015, where she serves as a laboratory instructor and attending in Family Practice Service, Dry Eye Center, and Cornea and Contact Lens Service.