Snowvision’s 2022 SUNY scholars

This year’s Snowvision State University of New York (SUNY) scholars are Ricky Xue of Palmerston North and Tracy Thompson of Auckland. NZ Optics caught up with them to find out what the scholarship means to them and what their focus will be while at SUNY.

Ricky Xue, recent graduate

Excited and honoured to receive the news, Ricky Xue said the scholarship provides a rich learning experience and is a rare and treasured opportunity.

While at SUNY, he aims to focus on learning more about head trauma rehabilitation, myopia control and ocular diseases. “Home to one of America's largest eyecare clinics, at SUNY, I will have the chance to observe and learn about a large variety of cases. I'm also interested in learning about research and clinical trials, which will give me a sneak peek of what’s to come in the world of optometry.”

A New York first-timer, Xue said he is looking forward to getting out and about, exploring the best of the city that never sleeps. “I'm also keen to try different types of food, which could be humble street food or exquisite fine dining, but I will definitely try a New York cheesecake!”

Tracy Thompson, optometrist

Tracy Thompson is a therapeutically qualified optometrist with a specialist focus on behavioural optometry. She originally attained qualifications in South Africa in 1994, and later undertook studies in Australia and New Zealand to earn her therapeutics qualifications and right to practice here.

Snowvision’s 2022 SUNY scholars-tracy-thompson.jpg

Thompson said she is beyond excited to be the 2022 recipient of the Snowvision scholarship. “There's so much to learn at SUNY and I can't wait to soak it all up!” She said she’s particularly looking forward to working in the binocular vision department. “I have come to learn how much binocular vision problems can impact someone's daily life.”

As a behavioural specialist who sees many teenagers, myopia is always at the forefront of her daily practice and she has also been working with concussion and other head traumas in recent years. Learning more in these areas is going to be invaluable to her daily practice, she said. “I can't help but acknowledge that because I see so many kids, I could benefit from more exposure to adult issues such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and low vision. So spending time in these departments will also be fantastic.”

An avid traveller, Thompson is also delighted to return to the Big Apple. “Travel has always been something I crave and take every opportunity to enjoy. It's not even just the place but more so the people you meet along the way that I love.” Thompson said she is hoping to visit in April/May 2023.

The Snowvision SUNY scholarships

Since 1997, the trustees of the Snowvision Charitable Trust have announced annual scholarships for a recent graduate and an optometrist from New Zealand to attend SUNY, New York, for a period of four weeks to improve their clinical optometry skills. The scholarship of up to $7,000 covers travel from Auckland to New York, plus SUNY tuition fees. The scholarship fund is supported by Snowvision’s biannual Queenstown conference, the next one being in 2023.