Jugnoo Rahi is a clinician scientist with a track record for innovative discovery science and research translation to reduce the burden and impacts of the causes of blindness that afflict 81 million children worldwide and confer an enormous societal burden.

In 2010 she was appointed the UK’s first Professor of Ophthalmic Epidemiology (joint appointment at UCL’s GOS Institute of Child Health and Institute of Ophthalmology) and Honorary Consultant Ophthalmologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital.  Her work bridges ophthalmology, paediatrics, public health, and population health sciences. This reflects her clinical training in paediatrics and ophthalmology and academic training as an epidemiologist supported by sequential fellowships from the UK’s Medical Research Council.

She leads the Vision and Eyes Group at UCL, a multi-disciplinary and multi-professional group with an unusually broad scientific portfolio. The group’s research looks ‘both ways’: addressing both the causes and the consequences of rare and common eye diseases; alongside investigating the determinants of visual health and well-being and of visual disability.  The members of the group have expertise in epidemiology, biostatistics, health psychology, health services research and policy research. Highly cited, research undertaken/led by the group has provided key insights that have shaped clinical care and policies internationally, for example guidance from the World Health Organisation the UK’s National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Much of this research has been undertaken through novel and enduring collaborative clinical research networks (>200 UK clinicians) that are unique to the UK and enabled landmark studies to be undertaken and their findings implemented at pace, also providing a model for national paediatric ophthalmology research.

Jugnoo has contributed to advancing eyes and vision research more broadly through various leadership roles, for example as Chair, Royal College of Ophthalmologists’ Academic Committee. She has strong record in developing people, including as a formal mentor, and in improving representation within research and within institutions/organisations in academia and the NHS.

She has been elected as an NIHR Senior Investigator, a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and a Council Member of the Academy of Medical Sciences (2023). She was also selected (one of 16 across all specialities) for the British Medical Association’s inaugural Women in Academic Medicine Role Model award. She received the inaugural pan-sector VISIONUK Astbury Award for career-long partnership with voluntary organisations, improving collaboration and public understanding of science. She has featured in European Vision Institute’s PowerList and The Ophthalmologist’s Top 100 Powerlist.

Kyle Arnoldi, CO, COMT, is the Chief Orthoptist of the Ross Eye Institute Orthoptic Department. Kyle is Clinical Assistant Professor, University at Buffalo, Program Director, REI Orthoptic Fellowship Program, Editor-in-Chief, Binocular Vision and Ocular Motility, Deputy President, International Orthoptic Association and Director of Professional Development, FOREA

Kyle is also the program director of the REI Orthoptic Fellowship Program, a two-year post-graduate course in orthoptics.