Employee Focus
Everything you might ever want to know about our wonderful employees here at the College of Optometry.
Look through our collection of employee focus articles
Employee Focus on David Damari
April 2026
Dr. David Damari was drawn to The Ohio State University College of Optometry by his respect for the faculty and administration. "There really isn't a typical day for me," he says of his current position as a clinical professor. His work spans teaching and patient care across multiple clinical services, where he finds particular fulfillment in mentoring younger faculty and watching students grow from their earliest clinical training through graduation. Outside of work, he enjoys reading history, playing acoustic guitar, and traveling and watching movies with his wife Rita and their two adult children.
Employee Focus on Jen Bennett
March 2026
In Jen Bennett's current role as The Ohio State University College of Optometry's Assistant Dean of Student Services, she oversees everything from recruitment and admissions to student support and professional development programs, with a focus on setting OD students up for success throughout their optometry school journey. Jen finds the greatest joy in watching students grow in confidence from their admissions interview all the way through graduation. Outside of work, she stays busy with her kids' extracurricular activities and enjoys reading fiction and shopping. Growing up on a farm taught her the values of hard work, problem-solving, and perseverance, and she carries these lessons with her to this day.
Employee Focus on Michelle Buckland
February 2026
Michelle Buckland (OD/MS'06) an Associate Professor at Ohio State's College of Optometry, provides patient care with clinical teaching in the Pediatric, Binocular Vision or Vision Therapy clinics. A 2006 graduate of the program herself, she finds great fulfillment when students witness how their clinical care transforms patients' lives, such as helping a child with convergence insufficiency become an honor student or enabling a traumatic brain injury patient to return to work. Outside the clinic and classroom, Dr. Buckland enjoys supporting her children's sports and music activities, staying active through running and yoga, and planning family adventures.
Read more about Dr. Buckland >>
Employee Focus on Matt Jewett
January 2026
Matt Jewett serves as Assistant Director of IT and HIPAA Privacy Officer at The Ohio State University College of Optometry, where he's found the perfect role to focus on his passion for security and privacy issues. In his seven years at the college, he's worn multiple hats: managing privacy compliance; coordinating security and disaster recovery efforts; and overseeing help desk operations. What brings him the most joy is solving problems and exploring new technologies through collaborative campus projects. Outside of work, this Portsmouth, Ohio native enjoys biking, golfing, and catching live music with his wife, especially if it's in the Florida Keys.
Read more about Matt Jewett >>
Employee Focus on Kimberly Shaw
December 2025
Kimberly Shaw has worked with College of Optometry researchers for 16 years after transitioning from a 20-year career in social work. She began as a clinical research coordinator and now manages multiple roles, including Study Coordinator for the NEI-funded DONUT Study and Program Coordinator for the Vision Science Graduate Program. Kimberly advises new employees to lean on coworkers for guidance and support. Outside of work, she enjoys baking, reading, and spending time with her two dogs, Bella and Eddie.
Read more about Kimberly Shaw >>
Employee Focus on Zachary A. Coates
November 2025
Dr. Zachary A. "Zac" Coates is an Assistant Clinical Professor who joined The Ohio State University College of Optometry in 2020 after discovering his passion for teaching during optometry school and residency. He spends most of his time mentoring third- and fourth-year students in clinic and teaching neuroanatomy to first-years. Dr. Coates finds the greatest joy in witnessing students’ “Aha!” moments during challenging cases. Outside of work, he enjoys Buckeye football, Blue Jackets games, hiking in Metroparks, and exploring Columbus’s craft breweries.
Read more about Dr. Zachary A. Coates >>
Employee Focus on Hope Patterson Gardner
October 2025
Hope Patterson Gardner, OD, MS, joined The Ohio State University College of Optometry in January 2024 after reconnecting with colleagues who encouraged her to join the iVERG team. In her role as a Research Optometrist, she spends much of her time conducting study visits with participants, contributing to research articles, and preparing for upcoming projects. She especially values the chance to meet subjects from diverse backgrounds and hear their stories.
Read more about Dr. Hope Patterson Gardner >>
Employee Focus on Carissa Janczak
September 2025
OPT II Clinic Chief and Primary Care Techniques Lab Instructor Dr. Carissa Janczak loves helping students grow into confident clinicians and especially enjoys those exciting “lightbulb” moments along the way. Her passion for teaching was fueled during a VA residency rotation as a teaching assistant, which set her on the path to a career in academia. Outside the clinic, she enjoys traveling with her husband, exploring Columbus’ vibrant food and coffee scene, and cheering on the Buckeyes and Columbus Crew.
Read more about Dr. Carissa Janczak >>
Employee Focus on Carolynn Haas
August 2025
Carolynn Haas, Patient Revenue Cycle Services Coordinator at The Ohio State University College of Optometry, finds joy in helping students grow in their clinical skills and making a meaningful impact in a team-oriented environment. With a background in psychology and a passion for education and clinical care, she plays a vital role in creating positive patient experiences and supporting the college’s students and patients. She advises new employees to "Be open to learning and don’t hesitate to ask questions. Take the time to understand how your role contributes to the bigger picture—it makes the work more meaningful."
Employee Focus on Ben Cyphers
July 2025
Dr. Ben Cyphers first experienced Ohio State Optometry's welcoming and supportive atmosphere as a prospective student, which not only led him to choose to earn his OD and MS here, but to ultimately join the faculty. Today, as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the college, he relishes his role as an educator, helping students enhance their clinical skills and build confidence as they prepare for careers in optometry.
Read more about Dr. Ben Cyphers >>
Employee Focus on Alysia Benson
June 2025
Alysia Benson, CPOA, Coordinator of the Low Vision Clinic at The Ohio State University College of Optometry, enjoys serving in a dynamic role where no two days are ever quite the same. A proud Buckeye with 17 years at the college, Alysia combines clinical expertise with heartfelt care, helping patients navigate vision loss and reclaim independence. From assisting with vision devices to celebrating driver’s license victories, she finds joy in making a difference. Outside of work, she’s a doting grandmother and passionate reader. She advises new employees to stay curious, connect with colleagues, and embrace every learning opportunity. Read the full Q&A to discover Alysia’s inspiring journey, daily impact, and what she’d do if she hit the lottery.
Employee Focus on Tim Fries
May 2025
Dr. Tim Fries draws on his well-rounded educational background and extensive experience in private practice in his role as an assistant professor at The Ohio State University College of Optometry. Not only does he teach four courses in optometric business and practice management, he also advises students one-on-one, evaluating career opportunities and reviewing employment contracts.
Employee Focus on Karla Gengler-Nowak
April 2025
Dr. Karla Gengler-Nowak helps Ohio State Optometry investigators navigate the grant proposal process and manage the grants and contracts once they're awarded. In addition to her role as Grants and Contracts Administrator, she also helps faculty and staff expand their knowledge by assigning BuckeyeLearn training. When asked to provide advice to new employees, she replied, "Stay curious! It’s the best way to deeply understand your own job and how it fits in with what everyone is doing around you, and that’s a good way to recognize opportunities to contribute."
Read more about Dr. Gengler-Nowak >>
Employee Focus on Steven Manning
March 2025
Dr. Steven Manning has a difficult time choosing what gives him the most joy in his work as an attending doctor in Ohio State Optometry's Vision Therapy Clinic. He says, "It is hard to choose between illustrating to students how much impact they can have on people through vision therapy and connecting with the patients themselves!"
Read more about Dr. Manning >>
Employee Focus on Donald L. Bolen
February 2025
Donald Bolen, Ohio State Optometry's Building Services Assistant, takes care of the college's optical equipment and especially enjoys getting everything set in place and working properly. Fun fact about Donald: He has played in Bluegrass bands for more than 25 years!
Employee Focus on Jocelyn Daniel
January 2025
As an Assistant Clinical Professor and Chief of the Primary Vision Care (PVC) Service at The Ohio State University College of Optometry, Dr. Jocelyn Daniel touches the lives of students during each year of optometry school, teaching in the classroom, instructing in the lab, and attending in the clinic. She especially enjoys helping students gain confidence in themselves so they are able to become incredible clinicians.
Employee Focus on Candace Johnson
December 2024
Candace Johnson, MBA, loves meeting prospective students and "learning what makes them tick." She says, "I am honored that I have the privilege of helping them reach their educational and career goals." As The Ohio State University College of Optometry's Assistant Director of Admissions, Candace uses her impressive background and education to ensure that the admissions process runs smoothly.
Employee Focus on JP Masczak
November 2024
Dr. J.P. Maszczak spends the majority of his week at Ohio State Optometry's Upper Arlington satellite clinic as an attending doctor overseeing interns examining patients and assisting with clinic operations. He truly enjoys working with students, and he says, "Their enthusiasm and motivation to improve their clinical skills as they push toward graduation is really inspiring; I love to see them take pride in the care they are providing to patients."
Read more about Dr. Masczak >>
Employee Focus on Carol Wilcox
October 2024
With more than 29 years of service at The Ohio State University College of Optometry, Carol Wilcox is well known for her encyclopedic knowledge of all things related to the college, her kindness and compassion for others, and her ability to take on any project or event and make it even better. Of her current role in the bustling dean's office, says, "The days when everything falls into place are good days." Thankfully for us, most days fall into that category because of Carol.
Employee Focus on Chris Silva
September 2024
Chris Silva truly enjoys a mix of patient care and teaching opticianry in his position as an Instructing Licensed Optician in our Eyewear Gallery. He thrives in this role, teaching students how to help patients with frame and lens options, and how to adjust and troubleshoot glasses. In addition, he takes great pleasure in interacting with patients. He says that spending time with fantastic coworkers and interns brings him joy!
Employee Focus on Lisa Jordan
August 2024
Lisa Jordan, PhD, joined The Ohio State University College of Optometry on September 1, 1996 as a biostatistician working with a new faculty member (Karla Zadnik, OD, PhD) researching nearsightedness in kids. Twenty-eight years later, Dr. Jordan's days are never dull, as she oversees a variety of grants, helping faculty members develop projects that will answer vision research questions.
Employee Focus on Jonathon Ross
July 2024
Since joining The Ohio State University College of Optometry as an assistant clinical professor one year ago, Dr. Jonathon Ross has established himself as an invaluable member of the college's clinical and didactical faculty. The California native has come to enjoy everything Columbus has to offer, which he especially loves experiencing alongside his wife, Dr. Shering Torres-Ross, and their three-month-old son.
Employee Focus on Emma Grant
June 2024
There’s never a typical day on the job at The Ohio State University College of Optometry for Clinical Research Coordinator Emma Grant. A true “people person,” Emma puts her education (a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in clinical research) and love for interacting with others to good use, organizing adult and pediatric clinical trials. “What brings me the most joy in my work is the research participants,” she says. “At any given time we typically have about 100 participants enrolled in research, so I get to meet lots of new people. I also love the team I work with and have enjoyed learning about the field of optometry.”
Employee Focus on Kerri McTigue
May 2024
Senior Graphic Designer Kerri McTigue approaches each project with the sensibility of a classically trained artist. If you’ve seen our clinic’s iconic “Cool Brutus” art or noticed the beautiful optometric-themed imagery throughout Fry Hall and The Optometry Clinic, you’re familiar with her work. A graduate of the Columbus College of Art and Design, Kerri came to The Ohio State University College of Optometry 20 years ago, which she says is, “One of the best decisions I’ve made!”
Employee Focus on Walter Wu
April 2024
Dr. Walter Wu is Ohio State Optometry’s first Fellow-to-Faculty hire, and he officially joined the college in July 2023. Dr. Wu’s primary research focuses on the impact of impaired vision on individuals’ quality of life and daily activities. He says, “What brings me the most joy in my work is the exchange of ideas and thoughts with colleagues and students on challenging research questions.”
Employee Focus on Freda Dallas Hughley
March 2024
Freda Dallas Hughley’s official Ohio State Optometry Services title is Binocular Vision and Pediatrics Service Coordinator, but her self-proclaimed title is Patient Advocate. We couldn’t agree more. She says, “This is especially true for our Traumatic Brian Injury patients. It is rewarding to help them regain some of the abilities they lost and defeat the odds of their recovery.”