Faculty

as published in StyleBlueprint

Allie SandlinPhysical health is something many of us take for granted — until something goes wrong. If you’re blessed with clear vision, pause for a moment and consider what it might be like to lose it. This was six-week-old Allie Sandlin’s reality in 2012, but thanks to the experts at UAB Callahan Eye, Allie is now a bright, beautiful, and healthy 10-year-old with excellent vision!

Every February, the UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science awaits the much-anticipated resident matches for the next year. These soon-to-be medical school graduates will begin their residency program in July 2022 and will spend three years learning from our ophthalmologists and gaining hands-on experience before beginning their professional careers.

We are thrilled to announce the UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science Class of 2025:

	Poojitha Balakrishnan UAB School of Medicine, Birmingham
	Caroline Besley Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine, Charleston
	Veena Danthuluri UAB School of Medicine,Birmingham
	Malcolm Kates University of Florida, Gainsville
	Scott McClure UAB School of Medicine, Birmingham

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences is proud to announce the establishment of the Teresa and Michael A. Callahan, M.D., Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology. This prestigious chair is made possible by a transformative $1.5 million gift from the International Retinal Research Foundation (IRRF), underscoring a shared commitment to advancing vision science and patient care.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Heersink School of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences is thrilled to welcome two exceptional fellows to our program.

Associate Professor

Area of Interest
glaucoma

Professor

Area of Interest
neuro-ophthalmology

Assistant Professor; Glaucoma Fellowship Assistant Director

Community Partner
TriaVision

Clinical Instructor

Areas of Interest
comprehensive and primary eye care

Fourth of July 2013: Family members were shooting fireworks in the backyard of Dianne Peterson’s home in Vincent, Alabama, as she walked out of the house.

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Assistant Professor

Areas of Interest
inherited retinal disease, photoreceptor biology, primary cilia and ciliopathies

Assistant Professor; Director, UAB Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation

Areas of Interest
low vision, dry eye, contacts, comprehensive optometry

Assistant Professor

Community Partner
TriaVision

Brought up with little resources in Medellín, Colombia, Dr. Marcela Frazier watched her single-mom work hard to provide for her family’s needs and create a happy and loving home. Now, along with the Hispanic/Latinx Faculty Association, Dr. Marcela is taking steps to create a community of Hispanic/Latinx doctors who want to do better for those in these underserved populations. To read more click here. 

Marissa Locy, OD, has been named assistant professor in the UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. In 2017, Dr. Locy joined the department as a clinical instructor and has continued to work in UAB's Low Vision Rehabilitaion Clinic as well as a general services clinic at UAB Callahan Eye, where she provides comprehensive optometric services to adults and children in need of low vision care, contacts, and dry eye care.

Originally from Montpelier, Ohio, Dr. Locy graduated from the UAB School of Optometry, where she received the Beta Sigma Kappa International Optometric Honor Society Silver Medal, an award given to the top graduating student. She completed her fellowship in Medical Optometry and Vision Rehabilitation..

Associate Professor

Community Partner
Retina Consultants of Alabama

Associate Professor

Community Partner
TriaVision

Assistant Professor

Areas of Interest
ocular trauma, emergency services

Clinical Instructor

Areas of Interest
primary eye care, ocular disease management, low vision rehabilitation, and contact lenses

Professor; Associate Director, Clinical Research Unit

Areas of Interest
epidemiology

Dr. Downs was featured in a UAB Podcast, Medical Innovations. Details about advances in robotics and other technologies, the latest clinical trials and research studies, and the development of innovative new procedures and treatment approaches. This series showcases UAB faculty-led, patient-centric, medical technology breakthroughs in numerous specialties through specific cases, real-world applications, and patient stories, emphasizing the potential impact of these new technologies on patient outcomes.

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