by Tamarreo Tatum

Ellen Antwi-Adjei, OD, Vision Science Graduate Program (VSGP) student, earned the title of Best 3-Minute Thesis presenter at the Clinical and Translational Science Symposium. She received the honor for her ability to simplify complex research into an engaging, three-minute presentation.

Her presentation, titled “Out of the Dark Room: Fighting Glaucoma’s Silent Theft with Pocket Perimetry and Telemedicine,” focused on tackling preventable blindness. The research explored business models that implement portable, electronic, low-cost and accessible optical care in underserved areas.

“As researchers, we spend so much time in the details but being able to translate that into a story that anyone can understand bridges the gap between discovery and change,” Antwi-Adjei said. “For me, that means making sure the science behind glaucoma detection reaches the people who are most at risk of losing their vision.”

Lyne Racette, PhD, a researcher and mentor within the VSGP community, has been instrumental in shaping Antwi-Adjei’s academic journey. Attributing much of her success to the collaborative and supportive environment fostered by VSGP, Racette encouraged Antwi-Adjei to broaden her perspective. Challenging her to think beyond data and devices and to consider the bigger picture of impact and innovation.

“That perspective is what drives me and keeps me inspired,” Antwi-Adjei said. “The program at UAB provides the ideal environment, combining clinical relevance, strong mentorship, collaboration, innovation and opportunities for translational research.”

Antwi-Adjei’s accomplishment emphasizes the importance of clear, impactful science communication in advancing healthcare solutions. Her ability to transform complex research into an accessible narrative not only earned her the Best 3-Minute Thesis title but also highlighted UAB’s commitment to innovation and outreach in vision science.