Research Areas
- Ocular microbiome
- Corneal imaging and AI
- Interocular symmetry metrics
- Public health and diabetes
- STEM education and workforce development
Scientific Achievements
- Investigated tear microbiota in wild type and diabetic C57BL/6 mice as a model for ocular microbiome research
- Developed standard reporting guidelines to improve data reliability, comparability, and clinical relevance in ocular microbiome research.
- Created a novel metric of interocular symmetry using one cornea as a reference for its fellow eye.
- Co-authored a nationally recognized framework for evaluating RCMI programs, identifying metrics and best practices to strengthen biomedical research infrastructure at minority-serving institutions.
Funding
RCMI Funding: NIH/NIMHD U54MD013376
Other funding obtained with RCMI support:
- Maryland Innovation Initiative: Bilateral Corneal Symmetry 3 3-D Analyzer
- Morgan State University I I-GAP Prototype Grant: Corneal Topographic Diagnostic Indices
Scientific Advance
- Sequencing the Ocular Surface Microbiome: A Review of Methodological Practices and Considerations. Under Review
- Screening with the Bilateral Corneal Symmetry 3 D Analyzer. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(5), 747
- Empowering Underrepresented Researchers Through Effective Writing Support. Medical Research Archives 2024, 12(10)
- Evaluating Research Centers in Minority Institutions: Framework, Metrics, Best Practices, and Challenges. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(22), 8373
- This review identifies major inconsistencies in how ocular microbiome samples are processed and analyzed. It proposes standard reporting guidelines to improve the reliability and clinical relevance of future research.
- This study introduced the Bilateral Corneal Symmetry 3 D Analyzer, a novel tool for detecting keratoconus by comparing the shape of fellow corneas.
- This study highlights how structured writing support programs at a historically Black university helped researchers improve grant writing and publishing success through personalized coaching and peer accountability.
- This study outlines a comprehensive framework for evaluating RCMI programs nationwide and identifies key metrics and best practices to assess impact, sustainability, and equity.
NIH/NIMHD #U54MD013376, NIH/NIGMS RL5GM118972 & UL1GM118973, MII_0922-002_2
