Research | Our Research Faculty

Dr. Wendy Harrison completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at the University of Notre Dame and went on to be the first student to complete a joint OD and MS in Vision Science at Indiana University in four years. Following a residency in Cornea and Contact Lenses, also at Indiana, she completed PhD in Vision Science at the University of California Berkeley. Her research focuses on diabetic eye diseases. She is a member of ARVO, and a fellow in the American Academy of Optometry. Within the academy she is involved in the leadership of the Fellows Doing Research Special Interest Group and the American Academy of Optometry Foundation.

Ronald S. Harwerth, OD, PhD, is the John and Rebecca Moores Professor of Optometry at the University of Houston, where he has been a member of the faculty since 1970. Prior to joining the UHCO faculty, Dr. Harwerth received his training in optometry at the University of Houston and his graduate research training at the University of Texas Houston, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. His research involves behavioral studies of monkeys with experimentally induced vision or ocular disorders that model common clinical conditions of humans. His current projects involve investigations of relationships between neural losses and visual defects caused by glaucoma. Dr. Harwerth has maintained research from the National Eye Institute for 28 years and Alcon Research, Ltd. for 16 years. The results of his studies have produced over 130 publications. His active memberships include the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the International Perimetry Society, the American Academy of Optometry and the Optometric Glaucoma Society. Among his honors are the Glenn A. Fry Award and the Garland W. Clay Award from the American Academy of Optometry, an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the State University of New York, an Alumnus of the Year of the University of Houston, College of Optometry, the International Glaucoma Review Research Award, and the UHCO Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award.

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.