The largest research center of the University of Waterloo School of Optometry & Vision Science is expanding its scope. The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) will continue to carry out its front-of-eye research while applying its nearly 40 years of research experience to a broader range of fields.

CORE’s leadership will change as part of this shift, as a steering committee takes over the strategic planning decisions of CORE from Lyndon Jones, PhD, DSc, FCOptom, who is stepping aside at the end of June after 15 years as CORE director. Dr. Jones will remain an integral part of CORE in his new role as principal scientist.

CORE will integrate into the Waterloo Eye Institute (WEI), which is being built both physically and as a group of people aiming to create Canada’s premier center for optometric research, patient care, and education.

One of the new research centers within the WEI will be the Canadian Vision Imaging Centre, which aims to use advanced ocular imaging to make breakthroughs in better understanding, diagnosing, and treating diseases of the eye and beyond. Another will be the Biomedical Sciences Research Hub, which will focus on basic science and preclinical studies related to eye health, disease, and processes. The existing Centre for Sight Enhancement, both a clinical and research center, will be another source of collaboration for CORE.