Col. (Retd) Madan Deshpande VSM

Dr. R. Krishna Kumar

Krishna Kumar Ramani is presently working as a freelance optometrist and educationalist as well as contributing as a mentor for occupational optometry services and faculty member at Sankara Nethralaya and Elite school of optometry respectively. He also serves as an advisor for Aravind Fellowship in Optometry, Aravind Eye Hospitals, Chennai and Optometry Confederation of India. He did his undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral degrees from Elite School of Optometry, run in collaboration with Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani. He also possesses a Masters in Psychology and a Fellowship in British dispensing optics (FBDO). Previously, he worked as the head of the department of optometry at Sankara Nethralaya for 7 years and as the principal of Elite School of Optometry for 16 years. He has teaching experience of 23 years. He supervised many master’s level research projects, guided doctoral students, and at present guiding one doctoral student. In addition, was heading the occupational optometry department for 6 years at Sankara Nethralaya. He has 33 peer-review publications and authored 2 books in optometry and was editor and chapter contributor in occupational optometry/health books.

Dr Geeta K Vemuganti

Dr Geeta K Vemuganti is a clinician scientist, Prof and Founder Dean of School of Medical Sciences at the University of Hyderabad. Her experience and expertise is in the area of ocular tumors and stem cell biology, where she has contributed cutting edge research that has led to bench-to-bedside applications. Her current research focuses on cancer stem cells in Retinoblastoma, new animal models, role of mesenchymal stem cells in Leprosy and human lacrimal gland cultures. She has served as Chair of the Program Committee, of the AP section and Global Member Committee of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), and President, Indian Society of Ophthalmic Pathology Indian Society of Ophthalmic Pathology, among other professional and academic affiliations. After her residency in Pathology at the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, she had advanced training in ocular pathology at the Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles,. She has published widely, authoring more than 200 papers and has an citation of 5890 and H Index of 44. She is also a recipient of several grants and national and international awards including the recent Senior Achievement award by American Academy of Ophthalmology and Fellow, ARVO, and has guided many doctoral students in both basic and applied research projects

R S Berwal

Has been awarded Medal for topping in Diploma in Ophthalmic Science from PGIMS Rohtak. In addition to completing a Master in Optometry (M-Optom) and Master in Hospital Administration, he has several other academic qualifications. He has been providing eye care services to the population since 1985. He is active in social work and has provided social service in Bhuj Gujarat during the earthquake for 22 days .Currently, he is working as an Ophthalmic Assistant in General Hospital with the Government of Haryana. Further, he is the general secretary of HOAA, National Ophthalmic Association (NOA), and Indian Optometry Federation (IOF).

Elizabeth Kurian

Ms Elizabeth comes with over 27 years of experience in the corporate and development sectors across organisations. She has worked at MS University of Baroda, Nielsen India and Sightsavers, where she was Chief Executive for India and then Director of Global Advocacy. She has led strategic planning in large programmes with complex, diverse organisational and operating environments. Leading highly skilled multi-function teams in Asia and Africa, she has pioneered and fostered significant growth and transformation through social policy change and innovations. Through her role in various boards and advisory panels, Elizabeth has influenced policy and practice at several national and international settings and has various awards and research publications to her credit. Her key areas of interest include governance, strategic leadership, policy, research, multi-function and cross-cultural people management.

Ms Elizabeth has a Master’s degree in Nutrition (University first rank holder and gold medalist) and has done an Executive Programme in Business Management from the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta. She has also completed leadership and management courses from Harvard Business School, the Open University Business School, UK and Roffey Park, UK.

Harjeet Singh

He has Masters degree Optometry. He has been involved in eye services at community level since 1988. He has conducted over 500 eye camps and over 650 awraness programme in eye care specially paedretics in community.He has been very actively involved in prevention and early identification of eye disease in school going children in underprivileged and government schools. He is currently working as Ophthalmic Officer at Sub Divisional Hospital Ghudda Bathinda, Punjab. Further, has been the General Secretary of Punjab Ophthalmic Officers Association more than ten years. Now he is President of the National Ophthalmic Association, He is also governing board member of IOF(Indian-Optometry-Federation).

Professionally he has been actively involved in national and international conferences. He is supporting a clinical set up by the name of Brien Vision where all latest optometry related services are offered .He has special interest in amblyopia treatment and vision therapy.

Jayanta Bhattacharjee

He has completed Masters in Optometry . Passed IACLE accreditation exam leading to FIACLE in 2007. Completed Australia Award Fellowshio for Optometry Educators under Brian Holden Vision Institute at Sydney in 2014

Presently working as an Assistant Professor at Vidyasagar College of Optometry & Vision Sc (VCOVS) and as Principal coordinator for Kolkata Vision Research Centre (KVRC) , Kolkata.

An Alumni of LVPrasad Eye Institute Hyderabd . Awarded with Best Optometry Fellow Award form LVPEI for the year 1998. He worked with Bausch & Lomb form the year 2000 to 2005 and imparted training to many contact lens practiotioners . He was also in the faculty panel of the Vision care Instiute- J& J India . Served as National representative of ASCO in the past . Presently India co-educator for Menicon Rose-K lenses . As a contact lens educator he has been invited as faculty and examiner by various optometry institutes all over India.

Prema Chande

Optometrist graduated in 1992 from the Elite School of Optometry and presently a PhD Scholar at Chitkara University in Chandigarh.

Working as faculty of Lotus College of Optometry since year 2000 and Consultant Optometrist at Roshni Eye Care.

Principle investigator for several Community eye health projects like Sight for Kids, Mumbai Eye Care Campaign and Mumbai childhood Blindness program.

Board member of Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry and Optometry Council of India. Had represented India, on the World Council of Optometry’s Public Health Committee for over 6 years. At present a Task Force member of proposed Allied Health Care Council of India, by Ministry of Family Health and Welfare. Board Member of a US based NGO called Visual Compassions. Recipient of award as International Educator of Year 2016 for Asia Pacific Region, by IACLE, Australia and recipient of Excellence in Ophthalmology and Vision Award 2017, by Novartis Pharma AG. Recipient of Vocational Excellence Award by Rotary Club of Bombay Seacoast in 2018. Recipient of “Best Optometrist of the Year Award” by Sankara Netralaya’ s Elite School of Optometry, Chennai in 2018.

Sougata Chatterjee

Completed Higher Secondary with Science, Diploma in Optometrical Science in the year 1990, Bachelor in Optometry in the year 2007. He has 28 years of Optometry practice OPTOMETRIST. He is the Vice President of OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION OF INDIA

Vivek Mendonsa

Vivek Mendonsa is currently the Marketing Director of Lawrence & Mayo, established in 1877 Vivek has been instrumental in gearing and expanding the company optical showrooms from 19 when he joined in 1992 to 96 till date and 13 instrument offices with a huge network spanning across 36 cities across India. He heads a team strength of over 1000 employees. He graduated in Commerce from Sydenham College and completed Post Graduate Diploma in Management from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM). He is currently the President of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO). He is also on the Board of Program Advisory Committee (PAC) – Indira Gandhi Open University – IGNOU & YCMOU..