Newly Appointed Interim Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs Also Named
New York, NY: SUNY College of Optometry recently welcomed the Class of 2028 along with five new faculty members. The new faculty were in place for the start of the 2024-2025 academic year which also recently kicked-off.
The new additions to the faculty include four alumni and a newcomer to the SUNY Optometry community: Dr. Gulnoza Azieva, ’23, R’24 – Clinical Instructor; Dr. Beth Katz – Clinical Instructor; Dr. Travis Pfeifer, ’23, R’24 – Clinical Instructor; Dr. Emily Selenow, ’18, R’19 – Assistant Clinical Professor; Dr. Nazia Tahia, ’23, R’24 – Clinical Instructor.
Drs. Azieva, Pfeifer, Selenow and Tahia are alumni of SUNY Optometry and the SUNY Optometry Residency Program. Dr. Katz comes to SUNY Optometry from Pennsylvania College of Optometry, ‘21 with a residency at Southern College of Optometry, R ‘23. Dr. Tracy Nguyen was also named Interim Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs at SUNY Optometry. Dr. Nguyen has been a faculty member since 2013. She holds a Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Houston College of Optometry, ‘99 and a PhD in Vision Science from Indiana University School of Optometry ’12. Dr. Nguyen's career spans both clinical and research domains. Prior to her current appointment, she served as the Interim Associate Dean for Optometric Education and Interim Chair of the Department of Clinical Education.
“We are delighted to welcome the newest members of our faculty community. Each brings a dedication to optometric education with experience and expertise in their respective interests including primary care, cornea and contact lenses, binocular vision, and visual rehabilitation. It is a pleasure for me to note that four are SUNY graduates and, Dr. Katz is an alumna of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry,” shared Dr. David Troilo, president of SUNY College of Optometry. “I am also grateful for the continued work and support of Dr. Tracy Nguyen. She has provided consistency for our faculty and students as well as ensured the College moved forward through several transitions. Her dedication and commitment to our programs is greatly appreciated.”
Dr. Troilo was recently appointed as the fourth president of SUNY College of Optometry.
Media Contact: Rob Rosiello, communications@sunyopt.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, September 11, 2024
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About SUNY Optometry
Founded in 1971 and located in New York City, the State University of New York College of Optometry is a leader in education, research, and patient care, offering the Doctor of Optometry degree as well as MS and PhD degrees in vision science. The College conducts a robust program of basic, translational and clinical research and has 65 affiliated clinical training sites as well as an on-site clinic, the University Eye Center. SUNY Optometry is regionally accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools; its four-year professional degree program and residency programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association. All classrooms, research facilities and the University Eye Center, which is one of the largest optometric outpatient facilities in the nation, are located on 42nd Street in midtown Manhattan. To learn more about SUNY Optometry, visit www.sunyopt.edu.