Four researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) School of Optometry and Vision Science have been awarded 2026 Ezell Fellowships by the American Academy of Optometry Foundation.
The recipients – Dereje Anbesse, Mukesh Kumar, Soumen Sadhu, and Tanzina Akter – were among just 16 selected internationally for the highly competitive fellowship program, which recognises the strength and potential of their vision research. Mr Kumar and Mr Sadhu received Ezell Fellowships for the second time.
Since 1949, Ezell Fellowships have supported graduate students enrolled full-time in vision-related research programs leading to a master’s or PhD degree. The one-year 2026 fellowship provides a prize award including two travel grants to attend the annual meetings of the American Academy of Optometry and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
Professor Lisa Keay, Head of the UNSW School of Optometry and Vision Science congratulated the UNSW researchers, describing their success as “a testament to the quality, relevance and impact of the vision research being undertaken by our students, as well as the dedication of their supervisors and research collaborators”.
“These fellowships will provide valuable support as they continue to develop as emerging leaders in optometry and vision science,” she said.
Awarded Researchers
The four UNSW recipients and their research projects are as follows:
Dereje Anbesse: Michael G Harris Ezell Fellowship
Research Project: The economic burden of acanthamoeba keratitis
“I am truly honoured and grateful to receive the prestigious 2026 Michael G Harris Ezell Fellowship from the American Academy of Optometry Foundation. This fellowship is a meaningful recognition of my ongoing commitment to advancing eye care research, together with the support and guidance of my PhD supervisors and research collaborators. It provides a valuable opportunity to engage with leading experts in optometry and vision science, develop meaningful international collaborations, and further contribute to improving eye health and patient outcomes.”
Mukesh Kumar: AAO Section on Cornea, Contact Lenses, and Refractive Technologies (CCLRT) Ezell Fellow
Research Project: Examination of physiological changes that affect comfort during daily disposable silicone hydrogel contact lens wear
“I am deeply honoured to receive an Ezell Fellowship for the second time. I am sincerely grateful to the American Academy of Optometry Foundation for this recognition and continued support. My heartfelt thanks to my supervisor, Professor Mark Willcox, for his invaluable mentorship, encouragement, and guidance throughout my research journey. This fellowship further inspires me to advance clinically meaningful research in contact lenses and ocular surface health and contribute to better patient care.”
Soumen Sadhu: Irvin Borish Ezell Fellowship (EssilorLuxottica)
Research Project: Ocular surface epithelial immune response in dry eye disease
“I am truly honoured to have received the Irvin Borish Ezell Fellowship this year from the American Academy of Optometry. It is a meaningful recognition of my journey as an optometrist and clinician-researcher, and I am proud that my work in ocular surface immunobiology and dry eye disease has been recognised by the Academy. I know how competitive these awards are, and receiving this fellowship has motivated me to continue developing novel biomarkers for disease diagnosis, progression, and treatment monitoring contributing to the scientific advancement of our profession. I am also deeply grateful to my supervisors, Professors Fiona Stapleton and Isabelle Jalbert, for their encouragement, and support throughout my research journey. I also sincerely thank the Academy for creating opportunities like this for early-career researchers supporting us financially in research while also giving us the recognition, confidence, and platform to build meaningful careers and contribute to the advancement of optometry.”
Tanzina Akter: AAO Centennial Ezell Fellowship
Research Project: Resistance characteristics and virulence factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from microbial keratitis
“Receiving the 2026 AAO Centennial Ezell Fellowship from the American Academy of Optometry Foundation is an incredible honour and a meaningful milestone in my journey as an emerging vision scientist. I am especially grateful to have my research on sight-threatening ocular infection associated with contact lenses and antimicrobial resistance recognised by such a prestigious organisation. This fellowship is not only a recognition of my work but also an opportunity to grow, connect, and contribute to the global vision science community. I am deeply grateful to the Foundation and to my supervisors for their invaluable mentorship and support, which inspire me to pursue impactful translational research that advances eye health and helps protect and preserve vision.”
