Ngozi Chidi-Egboka, mentee in the 2018 MedTech-Pharma program in NSW (UNSW)
Dr Ngozi Chidi-Egboka earned her first degree as a Doctor of Optometry in 2006 from a renowned School of Optometry, University of Benin, Nigeria. She has practiced as a clinical Optometrist/Lecturer at the departments of Ophthalmology/Optometry and Vision Science, University of Ilorin, Nigeria and currently a teaching fellow for undergraduate optometry students at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia. Ngozi has earned a Master of Public Health degree and Fellowship in Cornea and Contact Lenses, Nigerian College of Optometrists. She is currently working towards a Doctor of Philosophy at the School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW.
Ngozi’s passion for teaching and research focuses on understanding the anterior eye health challenges and using model approaches to measure and identify effective therapeutic and/or corrective device interventions through translational industry collaboration. Her current PhD project is focusing on investigating the effects of smartphone use on the ocular surface of children – Factors resulting in reduced ocular comfort and disturbed ocular surface homeostasis with smartphone use in children will be explored. The outcome of this project will create new knowledge about the effects of smartphone on the ocular surface of children to provide evidence-based guidelines to support advice provided by eye care practitioners relating to safe screen time based on ocular surface eye health. Her study will be particularly helpful to eye care and contact lens practitioners & contact lens industries to minimise contact lens discomfort and discontinuation of wear due to intolerance. This is particularly relevant given the increasing trend in fitting children with myopia control contact lenses.
Ngozi has received two student travel awards to present her research in two scientific meetings; Scientific and Educators Meeting in Optometry (SEMO), Melbourne and The International Society for Contact Lens Research (ISCLR), world’s leading scientists in contact lenses and related fields. She has earned two other awards in her PhD candidature as an Ambassador for Women in Maths and Science, UNSW and a Mentee Award, Industry Mentoring Network in STEM (IMNIS), Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering. Ngozi has volunteered in UNSW ASPIRE programs in high schools across regional Australia to inspire and encourage young students to pursue University education, especially towards STEM careers. She is a member, American Academy of Optometry and student member, Australia’s Biotechnology Organisation, AusBiotech.