Michael Twa, O.D., Ph.D.

Humana Endowed Dean's Chair of Optometry

Dr. Twa is a clinician scientist and Dean of the University of Houston College of Optometry since 2019. He previously served as a faculty member at the college from 2007 to 2014. From 2014 to 2019, Dr. Twa served as the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry. His undergraduate training in biology was completed at UC San Diego and his clinical doctoral training in optometry was completed at UC Berkeley. He practiced for more than 10 years in the department of ophthalmology at UC San Diego before pursuing a Ph.D. in machine learning, data sciences, and biomedical image analysis at the Ohio State University. Dr. Twa was the Editor in Chief of Optometry and Vision Science from 2016-2023.

Michael Twa Image

Associate and Assistant Deans

Andrew Archila, O.D., MBA

Associate Dean for Clinical Operations

Ralph Herring, O.D., M.H.A.

Assistant Dean for Professional Studies

Lucy Kehinde Darnell, O.D., Ph.D.

Assistant Dean for Student Affairs

Kimberly Lambreghts, R.N., O.D.

Associate Dean For Professional Studies

Danica Marrelli, O.D., FAAO

Assistant Dean for Clinical Education

Department Chairs

David Berntsen, O.D., Ph.D.

Clinical Sciences Department Chair

Directors

Lasaundra Cotright

Executive Director of Business Operations

Beth Harper, O.D.

Director of Residency Programs

Amanda Johnson

Executive Director of Professional Relations

Jason Porter, Ph.D., FAAO

Interim Director for the Graduate Program

Lyle Tate, M.S.

Director of Student Services