Optical Prism January 2019 | Page 34

Glimpses CORE APPOINTS NEW HEAD OF BIOSCIENCES The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) at the University of Waterloo has appointed William Ngo as head of biosciences. Dr. Ngo, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Alabama Birmingham School of Optometry, is to join CORE early this year. “I had the good fortune of directing Dr. Ngo as he undertook his PhD at the University of Waterloo and witnessed first-hand his innate intelligence, natural curiosity and ability to build strong relationships with collaborators internally and externally. That cement- ed my belief that he will have great influence on future discoveries in ocular surface science,” said Lyndon Jones, director of CORE. Dr. Ngo’s research interests include clinical diagnosis and management of dry eye disease, contact lens discom- fort, tear film biology and chemistry and the mechanisms of oxidative stress in meibomian gland disease. He has authored more than 40 scientific papers, posters, abstracts and presen- tations in these areas. In 2011, Dr. Ngo graduated from the University of Waterloo School of Op- tometry & Vision Science with his Doctor of Optometry degree, followed by earning his PhD in 2016. NEW ED AT THINK ABOUT YOUR EYES EyesThink About Your Eyes, a public awareness campaign about the im- portance of scheduling an annual eye exam with an optometrist, has hired Jane Balek as its new executive director. Balek brings more than 20 years of experience working with non-profits and associations, most recently with the School Nutrition Foundation where she served as executive director. “Jane’s expertise in the campaign and association space will provide the leadership TAYE needs to grow in in- dustry support and impact even more patients,” said Dr. Steve Loomis, chair of Think About Your Eyes. MARCOLIN GROUP STRENGTHENS PRESENCE IN ASIA Marcolin Group has developed a plan for strong growth and organizational strengthening as well as distribution strategies and commercial logistics in the Asian market, in response to the renewed growth of the optical and sunglass segments in that area. The very first initiatives taken were: organizational extensive expansion of manpower; exponential increase in "Asian-friendly" styles; and a new logistics platform. In October, Marcolin’s Asia Pacific re- gional office in Hong Kong doubled its office space by moving to a superior and prestigious location within the Harbour City shopping complex. The new office also houses a large show- room, sales offices and a new team dedicated to Hong Kong’s local market. 32 OPTICAL PRISM January 2019