December 18, 2025

ABB Optical Group Announces Winners of the 11th Annual Optometry Student Challenge

Three Students to Present Award-Winning Research Posters at 2026 Global Specialty Lens Symposium

Coral Springs, Fla. (December 18, 2025): ABB Optical Group, the largest independent provider of optical services and solutions, is proud to announce the three winners of the 11th Annual Optometry Student Challenge. Kaitlyn Nguyen, Heimraj Resaul and Vincent Vu, were named the 2025 Challenge winners following an interactive webinar presentation on December 11, 2025, where expert judges and over 250 industry professionals alongside family and peers evaluated and voted on their scientific posters.

Winning Poster Presentations:

• Kaitlyn Nguyen, SUNY - College of Optometry, “Multifocal Success with Dual-Modality Lenses in Post-Surgical Cornea”
• Heimraj Resaul, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, “Precision Vision: HOA Corrected Dual Sagittal Scleral Lens in Traumatic Aphakia”
• Vincent Vu, SCCO - Marshall B. Ketchum University, “First Report of Ointment-Filled Scleral Lens to Heal Persistent Epithelial Defect with Continuous Wear”

Each winner will receive a $1,500 travel grant to attend the 2026 Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS) taking place January 7 – 10 in Las Vegas, NV, where they will present their award-winning research to specialty eye care professionals from around the world.

The Challenge also recognized three honorable mentions:

• Derik Holmberg, Ohio State University - College of Optometry, “Effects on the Anterior Segment from Multifocal Contact Lens Myopia Control: Results from the BLINK study”
• Wayland Leung, SCCO - Marshall B. Ketchum University, “A Good Impression Goes a Long Way: Impression-Based Gas Permeable Lens for Management of Exposure Keratopathy and Filtering Glaucoma Bleb”
• Jessica Quinagoran, SCCO - Marshall B. Ketchum University, “Scleral Lenses as a Non-Surgical Solution for Congenital Ptosis and Ocular Surface Disease”

"The caliber of work we saw this year was exceptional, making the selection process incredibly difficult," said Dede Reyes, FCLSA, Director, Consultation & Education for ABB Optical Group. "Kaitlyn, Heimraj and Vincent demonstrated outstanding clinical reasoning and innovation in their approach to complex contact lens cases. We're excited to see them share their research with the broader specialty lens community at GSLS."

"These students represent the future of our profession, and their commitment to advancing specialty lens care is truly inspiring," said Daniel Liberman, CEO of ABB Optical Group. "Supporting the next generation of optometrists through programs like the Student Challenge is one of the most meaningful things we do at ABB."

ABB Optical Group congratulates all six finalists for their outstanding contributions to specialty contact lens research and clinical practice. Recordings of the finalist presentations are available at https://8855439.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/8855439/Internal%20Communications/2025%20ABB%20Poster%20Challenge%2012.11.15.mp4.

About ABB Optical Group
ABB Optical Group is the largest independent provider of optical products, services, and business solutions in the eye care industry committed to helping provide better vision for patients. ABB operates through three business pillars: ABB Contact Lens, ABB Labs, and ABB Business Solutions.

ABB is focused on the future of eye care professionals and helping them succeed by making practices more efficient through access, choice and consultation and the single source convenience so they can focus on what matters most. Visit abboptical.com for more information.

Media Contacts:
For further media inquiries, please contact Sharon Martin at smartin@abboptical.com.