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New Faculty Join Department

Sara L. Butterworth, OD

Dr. Butterworth joined the faculty of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences as a Clinical Assistant Professor in July 2000. She splits her time between the Comprehensive Ophthalmology Clinic and the Contact Lens Clinic. She also has a joint appointment in the Ophthalmology Clinic at the Iowa City VA Medical Center. Prior to her appointment at Iowa, Dr. Butterworth was attending faculty and classroom instructor at Northeastern State University College of Optometry in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. She received her Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Houston College of Optometry and her BS in Psychology from the University of Iowa. Her residency training in Contact Lens and Cornea was done at Northeastern State University College of Optometry. Her current interests include therapeutic/advanced contact lens fitting and the treatment and management of dry eye syndrome.

Brian R. Kirschling, OD

Dr. Kirschling is an optometrist and a Clinical Assistant Professor. He holds a BS in Biology from the University of Iowa and a BS in Visual Science from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago. Dr. Kirschling graduated with a Doctorate in Optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry and completed his residency training in Hospital-Based Optometry at the Louis B. Stokes VA Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Kirschling joined the faculty in July 2000 and currently sees patients in both the Comprehensive Ophthalmology Clinic and the Contact Lens Clinic as well as at the Iowa City VA Medical Center.

Ayad A. Farjo, MD

Dr.Farjo joined the faculty as Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Science in July 2001. He sees patients in both the Cornea & External Disease Service and the Comprehensive Ophthalmology Clinic. Dr.Farjo received his BS and MD from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He was an Intern at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn, Michigan. He returned to Ann Arbor for his residency and a fellowship in Cornea, Refractive, and External Diseases. He received a fellowship from the Heed Ophthalmic Foundation in 2000-2001.

His current projects and research interests include long-term results of iris-sutured posterior chamber intraocular lenses with penetrating keratoplasty.

Robert F. Mullins, PhD

Rob Mullins originally came to the University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences in 1997 as a research assistant under Dr. Greg Hageman. He was also a postdoctoral fellow with the University of Iowa Center on Aging. As of July 2001 he joins the faculty of the University of Iowa as Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Science for the Center for Macular Degeneration at the Oakdale campus. Dr.Mullins received his BS in Biology from Wheaton College, his MS in Biology and his PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology from Saint Louis University. Prior to coming to Iowa he was a Research Assistant in the Cell and Molecular Biology Training Program at Saint Louis University.

Dr. Mullins' research interests and current projects include mechanisms involved in the development of drusen, especially with regard to the role of humoral and cellular immune systems in drusen biogenesis. He is also investigating structural and compositional changes in Bruch's membrane in aging and disease, and their effects on ocular physiology. He plans to develop and study animal and in vitro models of age-related macular degeneration.

"Together, we have a vision for the future."
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