Alumni Focus on Marielle Reidy (OD/MS’19)

DR. REIDY'S STORY

Hometown

Brecksville, Ohio

Which institution did you attend for your undergraduate degree? What was your major?

The University of Notre Dame, where I majored in Science-Business (essentially pre-med with a business minor) and minored in Peace Studies.

Which degree(s), related to optometry, did you earn at Ohio State?

I graduated from the combined OD/MS program in 2019 and am currently in Ohio State's Vision Science PhD program.

Who were your mentors at the College of Optometry? Who had a positive effect on your education?

I have had so many wonderful mentors at Ohio State, but most notable is definitely Dr. Don Mutti. He was my advisor for my master’s degree and is my advisor for my PhD, as well. Not only has he taught me so much, but he has also had an immeasurable impact on my career. I certainly would not be the optometrist, researcher, or person I am today without Don’s guidance.

DR. REIDY'S CAREER IN OPTOMETRY

Name of your employer(s) and title, including location.

I am a Graduate Research Fellow and PhD Candidate at the Ohio State University College of Optometry in Columbus, Ohio.

Give us a glimpse of your typical day as an optometrist.

It changes so much! Which is something I really love about academia. Right now, I’m mostly working on my dissertation research project, studying how myopia control treatments impact the shape of the eye. I am also TA’ing optics lab for the first-year students. In the past, I’ve spent a lot of time teaching clinically, mostly in the Binocular Vision and Pediatrics Clinic.

Which optometric issues concern you the most?

A lot of my work strives to achieve a better understanding of myopia control treatments. It is so exciting to have options for these patients, but there are still so many unanswered questions about them. And before we can answer the questions, new treatments crop up and we’ve got more questions about those! I hope I can play even a small role in maximizing these treatments for young myopes.

Why did you choose a career in optometry?

Like many of my colleagues, a huge motivator was my desire to help people. I also knew that I wanted to work with kids – I saw optometry as a way to help people early in life and equip them with tools to succeed from a young age.

Why did you choose Ohio State Optometry?

It’s cliché, but Ohio State immediately felt like a family. My undergraduate university had a very big “family” feel to it, so finding that at Ohio State Optometry felt really familiar and comforting. I was clearly right, because I really haven’t left!

Where do you hope to see your optometric career in five years?

There are so many directions I could see my career taking in the next five years; optometry has so many different possible avenues to take! Most likely, I’ll be in academia. Teaching is the most exciting part of my job, and I hope to continue finding opportunities to teach.

What is one piece of advice you can give OPT-IV students as they prepare to graduate and begin their optometric careers?

Find what aspects of optometry energize you and follow that passion.

DR. REIDY'S OHIO STATE EXPERIENCE

What were your most memorable moments at Ohio State?

I have so many good memories at EYE – tailgates, rush week, Sunday night Game of Thrones watch parties. I got to attend three SVOSH trips – Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Ghana – which were so fun and rewarding, even the unexpected 12-hour layover in NYC.

What do Ohio State and the College of Optometry mean to you and your family?

It would be hard to overstate what Ohio State means to my family. I met my husband at Ohio State; he was in pharmacy school when I was in optometry school. There’s so much I wouldn’t have without Ohio State (including my current job!), but most important is definitely my family.

DR. REIDY'S FUN FACTS

What are your current hobbies, volunteer work and interests?

My most common pastime these days is chasing my toddler around, but when I do have time for myself, I enjoy reading, playing soccer, and watching movies. My husband and I also love hiking and have been to many National Parks. I serve on the Nominating Committee for the American Academy of Optometry, and volunteer with vision screenings and the Latiné Community Care Day at the College when my schedule allows.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

My best fun fact is that Taylor Swift was at my college graduation. Her brother was in my graduating class!

If not an optometrist, I would be …

A pilot.