Director

Ann E. Elsner, MA, PhD   (e-mail: aeelsner@indiana.edu)
Dr. Elsner came to the IU School of Optometry from the Schepens Eye Research Institute at Harvard University. She is serving a 2-year appointment as Director of the Borish Center through June 2008. Dr. Elsner is best known for her use of wavelengths in the infrared portion of the spectrum for imaging the human retina, pioneering the use of novel types of lasers in the field of imaging. Her main focus is using imaging to help diagnose early retinal disease, including macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.  [more information]

Associate Director

Douglas G. Horner, OD, PhD   (e-mail: hornerdg@indiana.edu)
Dr. Horner has been a member of the IU School of Optometry faculty since 1988. His research interests revolve around motor aspects of the visual system. His current focus is on myopia control and remediation as well as quantitative aspects of corneal shape and optics.  [more information]

Staff

• Chris Clark, OD   (e-mail: cac2@indiana.edu)
  
• Sara Long, BA, ABOC   (e-mail: sclong@indiana.edu)
  Sara joined the Borish Center as an Ophthalmic Research Technician in January 2008. She earned a bachelor's degree from IU in 2001 and most recently graduated with distinction from the Optician/Technician Program at the IU School of Optometry in December 2006. Sara helps to maintain a supportive environment for faculty and students seeking assistance with their research projects by assisting in the design and execution of studies within the IU School of Optometry. She provides technical support and coordinates clinical trials sponsored by the ophthalmic industry.
• Julia Wilhite, BGS   (e-mail: wilhite@indiana.edu)
  Julia joined the Borish Center as an ophthalmic research technician in September of 2006. She is a 2005 graduate of the Indiana University General Studies Degree Program and also has six years of experience in the field of Optometry. Julia helps to maintain a supportive environment for faculty and students seeking assistance with their research projects by helping in the design and execution of studies within the IU School of Optometry. She provides technical support and coordinates clinical trials sponsored by the ophthalmic industry--with several being multi-site national investigations.
• Jennifer Wong, OD   (e-mail: jrwong@indiana.edu)
  Dr. Wong is a research optometrist for the Borish Center for Ophthalmic Research and joined the faculty of Indiana University in June 2007. She received her BS in Biology from Iowa State University in 2003 and her OD degree from Indiana University in 2007. Dr. Wong has worked as a co-investigator on several industry-funded projects aimed to enhance contact lens and spectacle designs, as well as developed improved ocular surface disease therapeutic treatments. Dr. Wong was one of 33 optometric researchers invited to participate in a Summer Research Institute for 2008. This meeting is held every 2 years by the American Academy of Optometry and the American Optometric Association, and the goal is to promote federally funded collaborative clinical investigations.

Internships

Since 2002 the Borish Center for Ophthalmic Research has provided internships to high school senior students--exposing them to career opportunities in health care services and research. The students (typically, one or two from local high schools) spend part of the afternoon every day in the center, helping either the staff or faculty members with their research projects.