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In the Clinic •

Research Opportunities

Opportunities at every stage of your optometric journey.

Illinois Eye Institute

Research Opportunities

Summer Opportunities

Residency Program

Summer Research Program

You have the first summer of optometry school off. Many students will choose to go home, but there are some students who choose to stay. For those who choose to stay, the Summer Research Program can be a great opportunity to conduct your own research.

More About the Program

3rd Year Research Project or Independent Study

During your third year, you will complete an independent study (BVS 403). Every year, 20-25% of our students focus their project on research. The others usually focus on clinical case studies. If you participated in the first-year Summer Research Program, you can expand on that research in this course. There are also opportunities to partner with faculty to help with their on-going research. As optometrists, our field is ever-growing. To be able to think both on your feet and to stay up to date with the current optometric literature will help you succeed as an optometrist. This is one way we make sure that you learn some of these techniques before you leave ICO.

Research Assistant Program

One way to get involved with research at ICO is as a research work study. As one of the largest optometric clinics in the nation, we treat all kinds of patients. We have one of the strongest clinical research facilities in the nation. As a research assistant you will get paid to work with faculty on their current research projects. This could range from data entry to working one-on-one with patients. These projects can even lead to the development of your own research projects as you become an active OD.

Student Research Awards, Travel Fellowships, and Graduate with Research Honors

During your fourth-year capstone over $200,000+ is given out in scholarships and awards, this includes several awards for research projects.

Illinois College of Optometry Research Award

Illinois College of Optometry Research Award

Awarded to one student who has exhibited excellent involvement in research on any topic.

Dr. & Mrs. Rudolph H. Ehrenberg Research Awards

Dr. & Mrs. Rudolph H. Ehrenberg Research Awards

Awarded to students who have exhibited excellent involvement in research in the field of low vision rehabilitation or geriatrics.

Dr. Newton K. Wesley Foundation Award

Dr. Newton K. Wesley Foundation Award

Awarded to students who have exhibited excellent involvement in research in the field of cornea and contact lenses.

Travel Fellowships - In addition to these larger awards, we want to make sure that as many students can attend research conferences as possible. We offer several travel fellowships to offset the costs of attending this event.

Graduate with Research Honors - If you are significantly involved with research at ICO which usually includes a first-authored publication, you can be granted the degree recognition “Graduation with Research Honors.” Just another we get celebrate student involvement in research at ICO!

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