Dr Ngozi Chidi-Egboka
EDUCATION
PhD in Optometry - 2022
School of Optometry and Vision Science,
UNSW Sydney, Australia.
Master of Public Health (MPH) - 2015
Epidemiology and Community Health Department,
University of Ilorin, Nigeria.
Doctor of Optometry (OD) - 2006
Optometry Department,
University of Benin, Nigeria.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Fellowship, American Academy of Optometry (FAAO) - 2020
(Clinical: Keratoconus management with contact lenses)
Fellowship, Nigerian College of Optometrists (FNCO) - 2019
(Residency in Cornea and Contact Lenses).
Ngozi Chidi-Egboka has practiced as a clinical Optometrist and Lecturer in Nigeria before relocating to Australia to complete her PhD at UNSW Sydney. Ngozi’s passion for education and research prompted her to obtain a Master of Public Health (MPH), Fellowship in Cornea and Contact Lenses at Nigerian College of Optometrists (FNCO), and Fellowship of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO). Ngozi has recently completed her PhD on her research interest, characterising the ocular surface in children - examining the relationship with blinking and smartphone use. She is a casual academic and research assistant at the School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health. Ngozi is a recipient of several higher degree research awards including the prestigious 2022 UNSW Dean's Excellent Thesis Award, UNSW Medicine and Health Faculty Prize - The Brian Kirby Prize for Research Excellence in Optometry in 2022, 2019/2020 Dorothy Carlborg Cornea and Contact Lens Society of Australia award, 2021 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Science Communication Training Fellowship, and 2022 Ambassador, Industry Mentoring Network in STEM (IMNIS) Catalyst program of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE), Australia. Ngozi contributes to the international research community as an author, scientific meeting presentations, and invited reviewer for reputable ophthalmology journals. She participates actively in Women-in-STEM programs and post-graduate career development leadership committee at UNSW. Ngozi is a valued member of STEM professional organisations. She is a mother to two wonderful children.
- Publications
- Media
- Grants
- Awards
- Research Activities
- Engagement
- Teaching and Supervision
- UNSW HDR Completion Scholarship supported by Commonwealth’s contribution under the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship (2022)
- UNSW ARC Post Graduate Council Research Student Award (2021)
- Faculty of Medicine and Health – Support Scholarship, UNSW Sydney, Australia – (2021)
- American Academy of Optometry Foundation’s Clinical Investigator Certification Program Scholarship (2021)
- Student travel grant, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Foundation (2021)
- UNSW Postgraduate Research Student Support (PRSS) award (2020)
- Dorothy Carlborg Research Grant, Cornea and Contact Lens Society of Australia (2019-2020)
- Student travel award, International Society for Contact Lens Research (ISCLR) (2019 and 2022)
- Student travel award, Scientific and Educators Meeting in Optometry, Australia (2018)
- Postgraduate Research Scholarship, UNSW Sydney, Australia (2018 - 2022)
Research goals
- Identify, define, and enhance the quality of clinical eye research including, contact lenses, anterior and posterior segment research, and vision science research
- Develop advanced methods for improving learning in eye health research and therapeutics
- Understanding environmental and lifestyle effects on eye health
- Promote communication and commercialisation of translational eye research, the relevance and societal impact from clinical, academia and industry perspectives
Activities:
- American Academy of Optometry | Cochrane Eye and Vision writing group in the area of Ocular Surface in collaboration with the U.S. Cochrane Eyes and Vision group
- Sub investigator, industry funded research studies by the Eye Research Group at the School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Australia
- Graduate research activities:
- The ocular surface and blinking in children - PhD research project, UNSW Sydney
- Awareness, suitability, and willingness to accept contact lenses for refractive error correction among university students in Nigeria - Dissertation for the award of Fellow of the Nigerian College of Optometrists, Faculty of Cornea & Contact Lenses
- Visual function and eyecare practices among commercial drivers in Ilorin metropolis - Dissertation for the award of Master of Public Health, University of Ilorin, Nigeria
- Photo stress recovery time among Nigerians - Dissertation for the award of Doctor of Optometry, University of Benin, Nigeria