Our Team

Get to know some of the key people who work in the Ocular Surface Laboratory
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Led by Professor Jennifer P. Craig, our team is committed to the overarching aim of advancing the understanding of ocular surface diseases to improve patient care for anterior segment disorders, with a focus on dry eye.

We are dedicated to fostering research at Honours, Masters, and Doctoral levels, training the next generation of clinician-scientists who are passionate about dry eye and related conditions.

Additionally, we support both commercial and investigator-led clinical trials at our state-of-the-art research centre. Contact us to learn more.

Prof Jennifer Craig

Prof Jennifer Craig

Professor Ophthalmology

Tēnā koutou
Ko Carn mhor te maunga
Ko Feugh te awa
I tipu ake au i Scotland i Glasgow
Ko Gordon te hapu
E noho ana au i Tamaki Makaurau
E mahi ana au i Waipapa Taumata Rau
Nō reira, ko Jennifer Craig ahau
Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa

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Professor Jennifer Craig is a leading academic optometrist at the University of Auckland, specialising in ocular surface disease, dry eye, and tear film dysfunction. Since earning her PhD in 1995, she has led the Ocular Surface Laboratory, overseeing international clinical trials and mentoring researchers. With over 145 peer-reviewed publications and an H-index of 36, she co-authored The Tear Film and contributed to global TFOS workshops, including serving as Vice-Chair of TFOS DEWS II. She holds visiting academic roles at Aston University (UK), Waterloo and Montreal (Canada), and Wenzhou University (China). A former chair of New Zealand’s Optometrists Board, she remains a Director on the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand.

Dr Sanjay Marasini

Dr Sanjay Marasini

Research Fellow / Optometrist

Kia Ora koutou
Ko Resunga te maunga
Ko ridi te awa
No Nepal ahau
Ko Marasini toku whanau
Ko Sanjay toku ingoa
Tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa

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Dr Sanjay Marasini is a New Zealand-registered optometrist specialising in translational biomedical research. His work focuses on developing innovative pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for corneal diseases. Sanjay is particularly dedicated to advancing light-based anti-infective technologies to combat antimicrobial resistance. In addition, he is investigating the therapeutic potential of the gut-eye-axis and its implications for eye health. With both clinical and research experience, he aims to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and patient care.

Dr Kalika Bandamwar

Dr Kalika Bandamwar

Research Fellow

Kia ora koutou
Ko Sahyadri te maunga
Ko Godawari te awa
Ko Indian te iwi
Ko Kalika toku ingoa
Tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa

 

 

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Dr Kalika Bandamwar is a Research Fellow who earned her PhD from the University of New South Wales in 2013. Before joining the Ocular Surface Laboratory, she managed research and development at Brien Holden Vision Pvt Ltd in India. Her research focuses on contact lenses, dry eye disease, tear film, and ocular surface health. She investigates the impact of dry eye disease and meibomian gland dysfunction on the ocular surface and examines how contact lenses affect eye health. She also works on strategies to reduce contact lens-related complications. Dr Bandamwar has extensive experience in clinical trials, laboratory analysis, and ocular surface imaging.

Dr Ally Xue

Dr Ally Xue

Research Fellow / Optometrist

Kia ora koutou
Ko Huangmaojian te maunga
Ko Qiantang te awa
Ko Chinese te iwi
Ko Linyue toku ingoa
Tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa

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Dr Ally Xue completed her PhD in 2020 at the University of Auckland under the supervision of Professor Jennifer Craig. Her research led to the first double-masked, placebo-controlled trial investigating intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy for evaporative dry eye. Now a Research Fellow in the Ocular Surface Laboratory and a practising Therapeutic Optometrist, Dr Xue focuses on improving the diagnosis and treatment of dry eye. She is committed to advancing equity in ocular surface health through both research and clinical care.

Dian Zhuang

Dian Zhuang

PhD Candidate / Optometrist

Tēnā koutou katoa
Ko YunHe te awa
Ko Air New Zealand tōku waka
Ko Chinese te iwi
Ko Dian Zhuang tōku ingoa
Tēnā koutou, Tēnā koutou, Tēnā koutou katoa

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Dian Zhuang is a final-year PhD candidate in the Ocular Surface Laboratory, investigating ocular surface inflammation in dry eye disease and conducting clinical studies. She is also a registered optometrist with a special interest in dry eye and myopia control, and works part-time at a private clinic in East Auckland. In addition to her research and clinical roles, she supervises final-year optometry students in the Dry Eye Clinic at the University of Auckland.

Jordan Cooper

Jordan Cooper

PhD Candidate / Optometrist

Kia ora koutou
Ko Pirongia te maunga
Ko Waipā te awa
Nō Ngāhinapōuri ahau
Ko Cooper tōku whānau
Ko Jordan tōku ingoa
Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa

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Jordan Cooper recently completed his Bachelor of Optometry at Auckland University. He began his research journey in the summer of 2022/23, where he worked on validating a Kaupapa Māori eyecare communication framework to improve how eyecare professionals conduct eye examinations. Since then, Jordan has contributed to various research projects focused on the ocular surface and tear film and is starting his PhD in March 2025 exploring the influence of blinking and eyelid characteristics on meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

Catherine Jennings

Catherine Jennings

PhD Candidate / Optometrist

Kia ora koutou
Ko Baek te maunga
Ko Han te awa
Ko Korean te iwi
Ko Catherine tōku ingoa
Tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa

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Catherine Jennings is a New Zealand-qualified optometrist and PhD candidate, specialising in  dry eye management. Under the supervision of Prof. Jennifer Craig, Dr Kalika Bandamwar, and Prof. Alex Müntz, Catherine is conducting two major clinical trials. These studies compare a handheld thermal pulsation device to the standard of care for meibomian gland dysfunction, and explore the periocular application of castor oil for managing blepharitis. Catherine also holds a Master of Health Sciences and conducts research within the Ocular Surface Laboratory (OSL), where she focused on identifying the optimal clinical test for detecting ocular surface inflammation in dry eye disease.

Dr Isaac Samuels

Dr Isaac Samuels

Medical Doctor

Ko Maunga Tautari rāua ko Maunga Kawa ngā maunga
Ko Taupēhāehae te awa
Ko Tainui te waka
Ko Ngāti Hauā me Ngāti Tūwharetoa ōku iwi
Ko Rukumoana tōku marae
Ko Isaac Samuels tōku ingoa
Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa

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