Home Newsmakers Outside Interests OD Flexes Her Research Skills in PhD Program

OD Flexes Her Research Skills in PhD Program

Graduation photo of Dr. Frances Silva who earns her PhD putting her research skills to use
Dr, Silva completed her PhD program work.

Frances Silva, OD, MS, FAAO, is constantly learning and proudly dubs herself a “professional student.”  Dr. Silva is poised to earn a PhD that combines her biotechnology and optometry knowledge by conducting innovative research focused on clinical applications of various color vision functional assessments for real-world situations.  These novel tests have been shown to more accurately detect ocular conditions from hereditary or progressive color vision deficiencies to dry eye disease.

Dr. Silva expresses her great pride with the many achievements and leadership roles served during her eight-year career in the U.S. Army since her graduation from the University of Houston College of Optometry in 2011.  She couldn’t ignore her passion for research and subsequently started the three-year PhD program at the University of Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry.  Few know that she was able to manage this as a full-time single mother, part-time adjunct clinical faculty member, and fill-in doctor throughout the community.

RESEARCH CAREER INEVITABLE

Dr. Silva spent eight years in the Army.

“Everyone who knows me knows that I am passionate about research” she says. The many previous years of research I have completed at various prestigious institutions along with my diverse professional experiences have only deepened my desire to collaborate with other scientists and serve the medical community in a unique way.”

In the pioneer program at Rosenberg, she theorized that clinicians could measure the impact of meibomian gland dysfunction on low and cone contrast sensitivity functions and measure improvement in these functions following minimal meibomian gland expression.  Dr. Silva wanted to combine her color vision research with a condition that significantly impacts her patients and their quality of life especially night-time driving.  “It occurred to me to design something to support my anecdotal findings as a clinician when I observed patient vision improvement from 20/40 to 20/20 with minimal in-office gland expression and tie it in with novel cone contrast sensitivity testing.”  The research showed interesting findings recently submitted and pending review for the upcoming American Academy of Optometry conference this Fall.

Dr. Silva sees her influence on her son, now 17. She wants to be a role model for others interested in research careers.

She’ll soon start her first post-PhD position in a multi-disciplinary research center where she will continue to learn from top tier scientists and researchers in the nation. “I’m 40 years old and starting my third career,” she says. “I can’t imagine a better career than clinical and vision research where I can make a difference.”  She further states, “Even with all of my accomplishments, my greatest hope is to remind my son that anything is possible and inspire him to pursue his dreams.”

 

 

See some of Dr. Silva’s recent work here

Cone Contrast Sensitivity Abstract (ARVO 2022)

https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2780501

Performance Enhancement in Color Deficiency with Color-Correcting Lenses

or here.

Read other stories by women ODs whose careers focus on research.

Dr. Kathryn Richdale

Dr. Jullian Cerasuolo

 

 

 

Dr. Silva and her family at her recent graduation from Rosenberg School of Optometry.

Read Dr. Silva’s article on cone contrast sensitivity testing here.

Read stories about other women ODs who have pursued research careers.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.

- Advertisment -

Most Popular

Alcon Debuts Groundbreaking PRECISION7, a One-Week Replacement Contact Lens to Start and End Every Week Fresh

Alcon announced the U.S. launch of PRECISION7®, a new one-week replacement lens, provides 16 hours of outstanding comfort and precise vision, even on day...

2024 Ezell Fellowship Recipients Announced

Congratulations to the following industry professionals for being award various Ezell Fellowships. The winners will be honored during the American Academy of Optometry meeting...

Optometry Giving Sight Names Donna J. Mikulecky Executive Director

Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has announced that Donna J. Mikulecky, CPA, has accepted the organization's Executive Director position. She replaces retiring Executive Director Lois...

Liza Amlani: Strategies for Successful Retailing in an Optical

Liza Amlani, principal and co-founder of Retail Strategy Group, suggests that all optical owners visit other retail stores for ideas on successful marketing. "I...