Dr Cecilia Chao | UNSW Research

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Biography

Dr Cecilia Chao is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the School of Optometry & Vision Science, UNSW Sydney. At present, she is thriving as a Clinical Project Lead at Alcon, where she leads and oversees clinical projects that have a direct impact on patient well-being. She was a Research Associate II and Lab Manager at the University of Houston College of Optometry under the supervision of Dr. Kathryn Rochdale, where she contributed extensively to innovative projects focused on contact lenses and diabetic eye health. ~To be specific, the diabetic project focused on detecting tear insulin and glucose as well as to discover the need of diabetic screening using questionnaire and A1c measure in the optometric setting. I honed my expertise through two post-doctoral experiences. During the time with Dr. Pedram Hamrah at Tuft Medical Centre, she delved into the intricate world of Th cells, dendritic cells, and their roles in corneal transplantation, HSV keratitis, and dry eye conditions. Collaborating closely with esteemed scientists, she embarked on translational research that explored the genetic profiles and ocular microbiomes of individuals affected by prior contact lens infections with Dr. Kathryn Richdale in SUNY College of Optometry.

My Grants

Alcon Laboratories unrestricted grants (investigator-initiated)

EverSight Eye and Vision Research award

Natalie V. Zucker Center Research grant

Johnson and Johnson Vision Care unrestricted grant (investigator-initiated)

Alcon Laboratories unrestricted grants (investigator-initiated)

Schnurmacher Institute for Vision Research (investigator-initiated)

Vistakon Research Grant (investigator initiated)

My Qualifications

University of New South Wales, Australia	Optometry	Ph.D.
University of New South Wales, Australia	Optometry	Master of Optometry
Chung Shan Medical University, Taiwan	Optometry	Bachelor of Optometry

My Awards

EverSight Eye and Vision Research award, USA

Zucker Center Research Awards, Tufts University, Boston

The Faculty of Science Visiting Research Fellowship, University of New South Wales, Australia

Junior Overseas Scientist Fellowship, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore

Postgraduate Research Support Scheme award, University of New South Wales, Australia

American Academy of Optometry Student Travel Fellowship Award

Taichung State Student Award in Excellence, Taiwan

Honor Award, Chungshai Medical University, Taiwan

International Student Excellence Award, Taiwan

My Research Activities

Dr Chao's research in Professor Pedram Hamrah’s lab in Boston focuses on corneal and lacrimal gland conventional dendritic cells morphology and kinetic properties in vivo after environmental dry eye exposure using multi-photon microscopy and other cutting edge imaging technology. She investigated the selective blockade of chemokine receptors and/or integrins from HSV-1 primed CD4 T cells on their homing to the cornea, which will lead to the development of the treatment for HSV-1 keratitis. She also examined the T cell interaction with different treatment after corneal transplantation.

Her research focus in contact lens induced sub-clinical inflammatory responses on the ocular surface, diabetic eye care in SUNY Optometry and UHCO.

In UNSW, her research focus is in post-LASIK induced neuropathic dry eye, corneal subbasal nerve regeneration and its association with corneal dendritic cells and tear neuropeptides.

Dr Chao currently co-supervises research projects of PhD students in the fields of corneal antigen-presenting cell using in vivo confocal microscopy and tear cytokines during contact lens wear at UNSW in order to enhance the student experience and maximise learning whilst conducting their research.