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. 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.

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. 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. 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

Nicky R. Holdeman, O.D., M.D., is a Professor and Associate Dean for Clinical Education, and the Executive Director of the University Eye Institute at the University of Houston.  Dr. Holdeman received his optometric degree at the University of Houston and his medical training from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, and the University of Texas, Southwestern in Dallas.

Dr. Holdeman has lectured internationally on various medical and ophthalmic topics.  He is on the editorial board and review board for various journals and has served as a medical consultant for several law firms.  Dr. Holdeman is an author and co-editor of “Ocular Therapeutic Handbook: A Clinical Manual”, (1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd editions) and an author and section editor for “Clinical Ocular Pharmacology’ (4^th and 5^th editions) by Bartlett and Jaanus. 

Dr. Holdeman is a former Committee Chairman for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry, has served on the State Medical Advisory Board for Prevent Blindness, is a member of the Academic Physicians Section of the American Medical Association and serves as Chair of the Community Health Improvement & Communications Committee and consultant to the Board of Medical Legislation for the Harris County Medical Society.

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.  

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. Julianne R. Knowles received her bachelor’s degree in Visual Science from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan in 1999. She received her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Michigan College of Optometry in 2001 and completed her externships in Houston, Texas. Upon graduation, she served as a Commissioned Officer in the United States Navy at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, California where she provided optometric care to US Carrier Battle groups, Navy and Marine Corp pilots, and Navy SEAL teams. Dr. Knowles moved back to Houston with her family to pursue working in a private practice that dedicated eye care to military veterans and NASA astronauts. Having grown up in a family of educators, Dr. Knowles made a natural transition to academia at the University of Houston in 2006.

As a Therapeutic Doctor of Optometry, Dr. Knowles is licensed to diagnose and treat ocular disease. She is certified by the Texas Optometry Board to practice as a Glaucoma Specialist. As a clinical assistant professor, she is involved in direct patient care and the supervision of optometric students and residents

Dr. Knowles is a member of the Texas Optometric Association, the American Optometric Association and the American Academy of Optometry.

Dr. Zanna Kruoch graduated from the University of Houston, College of Optometry with a Doctorate of Optometry in 2009.  She continued on to pursue a residency specializing in cornea and specialty contact lenses at the Illinois College of Optometry with completion in 2010.  Currently, Dr. Kruoch is clinical faculty for a Dallas-based indigent community clinic called Cedar Springs Eye Care where she works with 4th year extern students.  Dr. Kruoch is also a Fellow of the American Acacdemy of Optometry.  Her clinical interests include specialty contact lens and ocular disease.

Dr. Lambreghts is a graduate of Pace University with an RN in Nursing and a BA in Biology. She worked as an orthopedic surgical nurse until entering optometry school. After graduating from SUNY College of Optometry in 1993, Dr. Lambreghts completed a dual residency in rehabilitative and primary care optometry at the Northport Veterans Administration Medical Center in Northport, NY. She served as staff optometrist at the Northport VAMC and an associate in private practice until coming to the UH College of Optometry in 1997. Currently she is a Clinical Associate Professor, Director of the Family Practice Service and serves as Family Practice Residency Director at the University Eye Institute. She is also a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.

Dr. Karen L. Lee received her bachelor’s degree in Physiological Science from University of California, Los Angeles. She received her Doctor of Optometry degree from Indiana University School of Optometry and completed a cornea and contact lens residency at Southern California College of Optometry. Prior to joining the University of Houston, Dr. Lee served as Director of the specialty contact lens clinic at the University of California, San Francisco Ophthalmology department.

As a Therapeutic Doctor of Optometry, Dr. Lee is licensed to diagnose and treat ocular disease. She is certified by the Texas Optometry Board to practice as a Glaucoma Specialist. As a clinical assistant professor, she is involved in direct patient care and the supervision of optometric students and residents.

Dr. Lee is a member of the Texas Optometric Association, the American Optometric Association and the Ocular Surface Society. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, Secretary of the Scleral Lens Education Society, and a GPLI advisory board member.

Dr. Logan received her Bachelor of Science in Health degree magna cum laude from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida. She then graduated from Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida where she completed her Doctor of Optometry degree with Honors and Professional Distinction. She subsequently completed a residency in Cornea and Contact Lenses at the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO). Currently, she is a Clinical Assistant Professor at UHCO and is a clinical attending in the Cornea and Contact Lens Service as well as the Family Practice Service. She also instructs students in the laboratory setting.

Dr. Manny received her OD and PhD from the University of Houston, College of Optometry. She has been teaching in the clinic and classroom since 1981. Prior to earning her PhD she worked part-time in a private practice. Her clinical expertise is pediatric eye care with an emphasis on children under the age of 6 years and those with special needs. As a clinician scientist she has served as the principal investigator for a variety of multi-center clinical studies funded by the National Eye Institute as well as industry. These studies included clinical trials looking at the development, progression and treatment strategies for nearsightedness (myopia) (COMET, COMET2, ACHIEVE, CLIP), large collaborative observational studies of myopia (CLEERE, COSMICC), and collaborations with the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator network (PEDIG) studying different treatment options for amblyopia and strabismus. Other research interests include improving screening methods used to identify infants and preschool children with vision problems or at risk for vision problems. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, and serving as a Vice chair of PEDIG (2014-2016).

Dr. Modi is a Diplomate in Low Vision Rehabilitation, as well as a Fellow, of the American Academy of Optometry, and a member of the American Academy of Optometry, Low Vision Section. She was the President of the Harris County Optometric Society in 2016 and continues to be an active member of the Board of Directors, a member of the Texas Optometric Association, and the American Optometric Association. Dr. Modi practiced in a private optometry office before returning to teaching at the University of Houston College of Optometry.

She is currently an Associate Professor at the University of Houston and teaches clinically in the University Eye Institute’s Center for Sight Enhancement. Dr. Modi is the Course-master of the Low Vision Rehabilitation didactic course and laboratory for optometry 3rd year students and is the Director of the Low Vision Rehabilitation Residency program. She has presented on low vision rehabilitation both nationally and internationally and the recipient of the Corning Low Vision Award and the Feinbloom Low Vision Award. Dr. Modi is an Advisor to the Houston Area Visually Impaired Network (HAVIN) non-profit organization.

Research interests include clinical low vision rehabilitation research, specifically studying the impact of low vision devices on visual function.

Lisa Ostrin received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts at the University of Texas at Austin. She then completed the combined OD/PhD program at the University of Houston College of Optometry in 2006. Following graduate work focused in accommodative physiology, she went to John Hopkins University for post-doctoral research in low vision and retinal prosthetics. From there, she worked as a Clinician Researcher at the University of California Berkeley School of Optometry, with a focus on myopia and associations with glaucoma. She has returned to the University of Houston as an Assistant Research Professor to continue her work in myopia and glaucoma. Dr. Ostrin is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a recipient of the American Optometric Foundation Ezell Fellowship.

Marcus G. Piccolo, O.D. received his optometric training in Philadelphia, where he attended the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. He moved to Houston in 1980 to join the faculty of the University of Houston College of Optometry. While at the University of Houston, Dr. Piccolo held posts as the Director of the Contact Lens Services, Chief of Primary Care Services, Coordinator of Ophthalmology Services and Chair of the Department of Clinical Sciences. Dr. Piccolo is currently an Associate Professor, and the Associate Dean for Professional Advancement at the University of Houston College of Optometry. He is certified as a Therapeutic Optometrist and an Optometric Glaucoma Specialist and his interests include contact lens practice, diagnosis and management of ocular disease and laser and other refractive procedures. In addition, Dr. Piccolo is a Past President of the Texas Optometric Association and currently serves as the Chair of the TOA Legal and Legislative Committee. Dr. Piccolo was honored in 1991 by being named the ""Young Optometrist of the Year"" and in 1999 by being named the “Optometrist of the Year” by the Texas Optometric Association. Dr. Piccolo received the William D. Pittman Leadership Award for outstanding leadership and unflagging support for the Optometric Profession and the prestigious Cora and J. Davis Armistead Faculty Teaching Award in 2002 both from the University of Houston College of Optometry. He is also a member of the American Optometric Association, where he is the past Chair of the AOA New Technologies Committee and a sitting member of the Federal Relations Committee. He is a Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry and is a Past President of the South West Council of Optometrists. Dr. Piccolo currently sits on the American Medical Association Eye Care Work Group, which is responsible for developing quality standards for eye care providers in the US. In addition to his academic pursuits, Dr. Piccolo maintains a private practice in Houston, Texas. 

Dr. Richdale joined the University of Houston College of Optometry in 2017. She was previously an Associate Professor and founding director of the Clinical Vision Research Center, and established the Myopia Control Clinic at the State University of New York College of Optometry. Dr. Richdale teaches and conducts research primarily in cornea and contact lenses and her work has been supported by federal, private and industry grants. She currently serves as Co-Chair of the Contact Lens Assessment in Youth (CLAY) study group. Dr. Richdale received her OD, PhD, and Cornea and Contact Lens Advanced Practice Fellowship from The Ohio State University.

Dr. Pat Segu graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Cell Science in 1988. She continued her education at the University of Houston College of Optometry receiving her doctorate degree in 1992. Dr. Segu completed her residency in hospital-based optometry at the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center Tacoma, WA. Dr. Segu holds a therapeutic license in the state of Texas with glaucoma privileges. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, a member of the American Optometric Association, the Texas Optometric Association, and Harris County Optometric Society. Dr. Segu is actively involved and serves on the Advisory board for Eye Care for Kids Foundation, consultant for Accreditation Council of Optometric Education, member of the AAO Vision and Aging Sig steering committee, member of Sugar Land Lions Club, and member of Prevent Blindness of Texas Houston Branch. Dr. Segu is currently a clinical associate professor, director of the family practice community based residency program, clinical director for the Houston vision collaboration project-See to Succeed, and director of optometry services at the Good Neighbor Healthcare Center for the University of Houston College of Optometry. She has received state and local recognition for her teaching abilities. Dr. Segu is the recipient of the 2013 Texas Optometric Association Educator of the Year Award, Class of 2007 Outstanding Faculty Award, and 2005 AOSA Most Supportive Faculty Award. Under her leadership, Good Neighbor Eye Clinic received the 2003-2004 Prevent Blindness Partners in Prevention Award for the state of Texas. Dr. Segu's interests include primary care optometry and ocular disease.

Dr. Shulman received his Bachelor of Science degree, his Doctor of Optometry Degree, and his Ph.D. degree from the University of Houston. After graduation from optometry school in 1981, Dr. Shulman practiced optometry in Houston in a private practice setting for ten years. He then returned to the University of Houston to obtain his Ph.D. degree in Physiological Optics and Vision Science. His primary area of research was retinal cell biology and his thesis concerned the effects of dopamine and lead on sodium - potassium ATPase in rat photoreceptors. After graduation in 1998, he spent several years in San Diego, California. Dr. Shulman then returned to the University of Houston, College of Optometry to teach the Ocular Anatomy laboratories and a portion of the Advanced Physiology course. In February 2005, he became the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions. Dr. Shulman's favorite past-times are ice hockey (for which he is too old to play competitively now), baseball, and photography.

Dr. Anita Ticak received her combined O.D./M.S. degrees from Ohio State College of Optometry (OSU) in 2008 and completed a Residency in Cornea and Contact Lens at the University of Houston College of Optometry the following year. Currently, she is a Clinical Assistant Professor devoting her time between didactic clinical teaching in the Cornea Contact Lens Service and research in the BLINK STUDY focusing on myopia control for children and VOI Lab creating custom wavefront-guided scleral for the keratoconic population. Dr. Ticak is devoted to serving the community outside UHCO and works in a private practice on the weekends. She is the Co-Founder of the Dry Eye Center at the University Eye Institute and an active attending. She is certified in Texas as an Optometric therapeutic and Glaucoma Specialist and is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Ticak is an appointed member of the faculty liaison committee to the American Optometric Association. Her primary interests include specialty contact lens fitting and the treatment of anterior segment disease with an emphasis on Ocular Surface and Dry Eye Disease.