The Team
Carol Marie Webster – PhD, Independent Researcher – PhD Sociology/Interdisciplinary Gender Studies, University of Leeds, UK.
Dr. Webster is a sociocultural anthropologist whose work is situated at intersections of arts, health, healing, and activism. She is interested is in vulnerable bodies, examining the influence of cultural and social practices on the health and well-being of individuals, communities, and societies. Dr. Webster leads development and cultural engagement initiatives in the United States, Belgium, the UK, and Jamaica.
As part of the Nearsighted Globe team she is Creative Director and Director of Cultural Engagement.
Nish Mohith Kurukuti – PhD candidate at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab at Northwestern University.
Mr. Mohith Kurukuti also holds a BSc – in Mechanical Engineering from RGUKT, India. Nish is passionate about developing devices that can help in diagnosing and improving the quality of life for people. Nish has been a contributor to the development of devices currently in use in rural areas of India for diagnosing vision impairments and is developing visual aids to help people with vision disorders in Boston. In his spare time, he enjoys discovering and trying new interests and trains to become a race car driver.
As part of Nearsighted Globe, he is responsible for product development of the refractive kit and making it more user friendly for accurate and robust diagnosis. He is excited about being part of a team that is creatively addressing the diagnosis of myopia in rural and remote communities around the world.
Richard Jamara, OD, FAAO – New England College of Optometry
Dr. Jamara was a professor of optometry in the Department of Specialty and Advanced Care at New England College of Optometry. He was a member of the faculty at the College since 1995. Dr. Jamara’s clinical area of expertise was in low vision rehabilitation. He was a clinical instructor for the fourth year students in low vision at Boston University Eye Associates in Brockton, the Cotting School Seamark Vision Clinic in Lexington, and at NECO Center for Eye Care Commonwealth in Boston. At the College, he was the instructor of record for the course Low Vision Rehabilitation throughout the Lifespan for third year students. Additionally, Dr. Jamara was a consultant to the medical staff at the Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital, the New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Woburn, and to the New England Sinai Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in Stoughton. His research focused on the quality of life for patients with end-stage vision loss who have undergone low vision rehabilitation treatments.
Dr. Jamara has been a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry since 1997 and an American Academy of Optometry Low Vision diplomate since 2009. He is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Fellowship of Christian Optometrists International.
At Nearsighted Globe, Dr. Jamara serves as Advisory Board Lead – guiding the team on the clinical and practical issues relevant to the progression of nearsightedness, low vision, and quality of life of the visually impaired.
Former Contributors
Peter McKelvey, MBA is the President Emeritus of the Americas region of L.E.K. Consulting, a global strategy consulting firm. McKelvey was with L.E.K. for 29 years and specialized in corporate strategy development and merger and acquisition advisory services. He has broad expertise in evaluating new investment opportunities and in providing strategic enhancements for business organizations.
He currently serves as an Adjunct Instructor in economics at Williams College and as a senior advisor and educator for both business organizations and academic institutions.
Prior to joining L.E.K., McKelvey worked for General Electric Company and held several positions in business planning and finance. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics, magna cum laude, from Williams College and a Master of Business Administration with distinction from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was named a Palmer Scholar.
At Nearsighted Globe, McKelvey served as Business Advisor, on loan to NG through Harvard Innovation Labs.
Radhika Shankar – MD (Pediatrics) in residence at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada; MSc Global Health – McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada
Dr. Shankar also holds an MSc. in Global Health from McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada. She is passionate about finding ways to achieve health equity and helping underserved communities overcome barriers to health access. She has led the development and implementation of global health projects in the Indian Himalayas, Kenya and Vancouver. In addition, she has published research on mental health in postpartum depression. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to and performing South Indian classical music and watching documentaries about space exploration.
As part of Nearsighted Globe, Radhika contributed to the development and incorporation of community-specific social and cultural factors in research study design.
Monaz Mistry (Premedical Program Student – Harvard University, Boston, MA; Bachelor of Science in Nursing – University of South Florida, Tampa, FL; Registered Nurse ) joined Nearsighted Globe as a Research Intern in 2019, spending a year with us. Her contributions included conducting a preliminary pilot of the NG Refractive Kit in India in summer of 2019. Nearsighted Globe wishes Monaz continued strength and courage in her professional growth and development.
Maltish Lorenzo (MD Candidate – Harvard Medical School, BS/MS biochemistry and organic chemistry UCLA) joined Nearsighted Globe for late spring and summer of 2019, contributing his spirit of steadfast optimism along with his communication and editing skills. Nearsighted Globe wishes Maltish continued courage and success in his current and future endeavors.