West Coast Vibes: Pennsylvania College of Optometry Makes Its Mark in Anaheim

From the East Coast to the West Coast, the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Drexel University showcased its leadership during the American Academy of Optometry's (AAO) 2026 meeting in Anaheim, California. 

One of the profession's largest annual gatherings, held at the beginning of October, Academy 2026 brought together thousands of optometrists, researchers, educators, residents, and students from around the world to explore the latest advances in eye care. Throughout the week, PCO faculty, alumni, residents, and students were highly visible, delivering presentations, earning honors, participating in competitions, and strengthening professional connections. 

A highlight of the conference was the PCO Alumni and Friends Reception, where more than 150 alumni and friends gathered for a close-knit night of camaraderie. Attendees heard remarks from PCO’s dean, Josephine Ibironke, OD '03, Resident '04, MPH, FAAO, and Drexel’s executive vice president and Nina Henderson provost, Paul Jensen, PhD.  

PCO faculty and alumni also presented on a wide range of continuing educational sessions, posters, and papers including eye cancers and current therapies, photobiomodulation, OCT and OCT-A applications, visual disturbances, telehealth, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, and the use of AI and machine learning in diagnosing meibomian gland dysfunction and glaucoma. 

PCO faculty presenters included Carlo Pelino, OD '94, FAAO, associate professor and chief of The Eye Institute (TEI) at Chestnut Hill; Kelly Malloy, OD '96, Resident '97, FAAO, Dipl., professor and chief of the Neuro-Ophthalmic Disease Service at TEI; associate professors, Elizabeth Marunde, OD, Resident '22, FAAO; Ashley Maglione, OD '15, Resident '16, FAAO; Erin Draper, OD '09, Resident '10, FAAO, Lynn Greenspan, OD, PhD '17; Shital Mani, OD '03, FAAO, who is director of Off-Campus Residency Programs, and Lauren White, OD '19, MSHS, FAAO, assitant professor and co-director, Accelerated Programs.  

Student Success and Scholarship Recognition 

Students and residents engaged in networking, research, competitions, and residency-focused programming, and perused and enjoyed the exhibit hall inside the Anaheim Convention Center. 

At the VSP/AAOF Practice Excellence Awards Reception, Kristen Cubillos ‘27OD (pictured right) and Stewart Miller ‘27OD received VSP/AAOF scholarships, earning national recognition among their peers and future colleagues. 

Kevin Hoang ‘27OD, Wendy Zhuo ‘27OD, and Marshall Gonsalves ‘29OD represented PCO in the EssilorLuxottica Academic Challenge (ELAC), which is one of the conference's most anticipated events for students, in which they competed against optometry peers from across North America and Canada and showcased their clinical knowledge and school spirit on a national stage. 

PCO’s students and residents also presented research posters, sharing their work and case studies with fellow conference attendees. The conference's residency workshop and career-development programming provided students and recent graduates valuable opportunities to connect with residency directors, practicing clinicians, and potential mentors while exploring future career paths. 

Alumni Leadership Extends Beyond the Academy 

PCO's impact was felt beyond the Academy's scientific sessions. At the end of the conference, Dr. Ibironke served as the keynote speaker for an event hosted by the Association of Nigerian Optometrists in North America (ANONA) on Saturday evening, in which she shared her professional journey and insights and was joined by fellow alumni. Her participation reflected the global influence of the PCO community and the College's longstanding commitment to developing leaders who advance the profession through service, scholarship, and innovation globally.