Randy H. Kardon, MD, PhD

• Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa Heath Care 
• Neuro-ophthalmology Division - Fellowship Director, University of Iowa Heath Care 
• Endowed Pomerantz Family Chair in Ophthalmology, University of Iowa Heath Care 
• VA Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss - Director

Ryuya Hashimoto, MD, PhD

Visiting Associate Professor

About Me: 

I received an M.D and Ph.D. from Toho University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. Before joining the research team at the University of Iowa, I worked at Toho University Sakura Medical Center as a retina specialist. My goal is to translate scientific discoveries to patient therapies as a retina specialist and clinician-scientist.  My research focuses on ocular circulation using the laser speckle method. Currently, I am investigating the mechanism of ocular autoregulation, neurovascular coupling, and the relationship between ocular hemodynamics and heart failure disease with Dr.Kardon and the wonderful research team members. No Passion, No Gain!

Julie Nellis, RN

Research Coordinator

About Me: 

Human Subject Research projects including:  Ocular Blood Flow studies using Laser Speckle Flowgraphy on subjects with vascular disease, ischemic optic neuropathies, choroidal melanoma, glaucoma and other eye diseases.  

Zaidoon Al-Share, MD

Postdoctoral Research Scholar

About Me: 

In Dr. Kardon’s lab I am studying the optic nerve structure, function and blood flow in clinical trials. I use Laser Speckle Flowgraphy in healthy people and people with Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy, Arteritic Ischemic Neuropathy to study blood flow in optic nerve head, retina and choroid. I am also studying the structure and function of the optic nerve in people with multiple sclerosis by assessing visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, flicker fusion threshold, ERG, peripapillary RNFL and retinal GCL thickness over time to evaluate the impact of two known diets in the field, Swank and Wahls diets in addition to providing science with the variance of these tests over time.

Pieter Poolman PhD

Research Scientist / Engineer

About Me: 

I received a Ph.D. in Engineering from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa. I am responsible for developing and adapting data analytic frameworks to record and analyze the video-based facial feature changes in response to visual and other stimuli in humans. My daily tasks include setting up data recording and stimulus presentation hardware, synchronization of data and video sources, design and application of signal and image processing algorithms, as well as database design and management to support statistical and classification analyses.

Natasha Gautam, MS

Research Associate

About Me: 

I have completed my residency (Masters in Ophthalmology) and fellowship in Glaucoma from Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. I developed a keen interest in research during my residency and have been actively involved in various research projects for the past five years. I have a special interest in the subspecialty of glaucoma and optic nerve pathologies. I am currently working as a Research Associate with Dr. Randy Kardon. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, dancing, and spending time with my family.

Jan Full, BSN

Research Assistant

About Me: 

I enjoy working with my research colleagues to identify early signs of eye diseases, progression, and new treatment approaches. This work is stimulating and has the potential for improving the care of our patients in the future. I’m currently working on a study comparing manual versus automated performance assessments to evaluate abnormal eye movements.