Lab News
Lab News
Mezu-Ndubuisi Lab at the 2025 APHA Conference
Congratulations to the Mezu-Ndubuisi Lab global health students for four research abstracts selected for presentations (one oral and three posters) at the American Public Health Association (APHA) conference in Washington DC, November 2-4, 2025.
Prakriti, Kamsi, OlaRose, BiancaRose, and Okechukwu presented their original research conducted at the 2024 Mezu International Foundation (MIF) medical mission in Imo State, Nigeria, with IRB approval from collaborating institution, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria.
The future of our world is brighter with such dedicated and passionate young scientists seeking sustainable solutions to help our underserved global communities.
2025 APHA MIF Research Abstracts
Kamsi Oparaugo, Andrey Kharlamov, Pranav Yeola, Kelechi Mezu-Nnabue OD, MSc, DrPH, Udo Ahanna Ubani OD MSc PhD FNCO, Olachi J. Mezu-Ndubuisi, MD, OD. The impact of socioeconomic factors on systemic comorbidities among cataract patients in Imo State. Poster presentation. Session: Disparities and Inequities in Global Health Poster Session; Nov 3, 2025. Abstract: 573222, American Public Health Association (APHA), Washington DC
Neil Dogra, Adaora Mezu, BiancaRose Nnabue, Kelechi Mezu-Nnabue OD, MSc, DrPH, Udo Ahanna Ubani OD MSc PhD FNCO, Olachi J. Mezu-Ndubuisi, MD, OD. Investigating the impact of socioeconomic factors and barriers to care on the vision-related quality of life of glaucoma patients in Imo State, Nigeria. Poster presentation. Session: Disparities and Inequities in Global Health Poster Session; Nov 3, 2025. Abstract: 571570, American Public Health Association (APHA), Washington DC
OlaRose Ndubuisi, Star Sequinot, Okechukwu Nathan Mezu, Kelechi Mezu-Nnabue OD, MSc, DrPH, Udo Ahanna Ubani OD MSc PhD FNCO, Olachi J. Mezu-Ndubuisi, MD, OD. Physical and Mental Health Symptoms correlate with Angle of Trunk Rotation to predict Kids at risk for Scoliosis in Imo State, Nigeria. Poster presentation. Session: Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health. Poster Session; Nov 3, 2025. Abstract: 570757, American Public Health Association (APHA), Washington DC
Prakriti Setlur, Okechukwu Nathan Mezu, Kelechi Mezu-Nnabue OD, MSc, DrPH, Udo Ahanna Ubani OD MSc PhD FNCO, Olachi J. Mezu-Ndubuisi, MD, OD. Factors affecting Visual Impairment in School-Aged Children in South-East Nigeria. Oral Presentation. Session: Vision Health: A Global Perspective; Nov 3, 2025. Abstract: 572088, American Public Health Association (APHA), Washington DC
Our Manuscript was Published!
The Mezu-Ndubuisi lab is excited to share the publication of our manuscript titled, "Intravitreal Bevacizumab nanoparticles ameliorates retinal vasculopathy in an in vivo mouse model of retinopathy of prematurity" in Pediatric Research, a nature journal, on October 27, 2025.
These nanoparticles were developed in our lab, a culmination of years of dedicated research, and the first use of nanoparticles for intravitreal injection to treat ROP, a blinding condition in premature infants exposed to supplemental oxygen at birth.
Read Full Article: Intravitreal Bevacizumab nanoparticles ameliorates retinal vasculopathy in an in vivo mouse model of retinopathy of prematurity
Congratulations to Prakriti on Her Poster Presentation!
Congratulations to Prakriti, a global health student in the Mezu-Ndubuisi Lab, for presenting her research poster titled, "Factors affecting Visual Impairment in School-Aged Children in South-East Nigeria," at the Global Ophthalmology Summit in Chicago, Illinois held August 15-17, 2025. Prakriti investigated the impact of overlooked socio-economic barriers to eye care for families with young children, in order to reduce visual impairment in children in underserved communities. IRB approval for this research was obtained from collaborating institution, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria.
2025 Lab Graduation Dinner
It was wonderful celebrating Ben, Andrey, and Suganesh at the Mezu-Ndubuisi Lab graduation dinner on Friday, May 15, 2025. We are grateful for their dedicated contributions to the lab. They kindly reflected on the positive impact the lab has had on their academic careers and personal lives. They were encouraged to always be kind, even when not reciprocated, and to seek a meaningful purpose for their passion that helps others, beyond personal gain. When we strive to be our best selves, we change the world positively, one person at a time.
Congratulations to OlaRose on Her Poster Presentation!
Congratulations to Pittsford High School senior, OlaRose Ndubuisi, on her poster presentation at the 2025 Pediatric Academic Societies meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii titled, “Physical and Mental Health Symptoms correlate with Angle of Trunk Rotation to predict Kids at risk for Scoliosis in Imo State, Nigeria.” OlaRose is one of the global health students in Mezu-Ndubuisi Lab who conducted IRB-approved research with Mezu International Foundation in Summer 2024. Her research was enthusiastically received and raised awareness of overlooked physical and mental health symptoms that could help with early screening of adolescents with scoliosis. Kudos OlaRose!
Lab Graduation and Holiday Dinner
We had a fun time at the Mezu-Ndubuisi Lab Graduation and Holiday Dinner on December 13, 2024. We shared fun memories of Pranav and Harsh to celebrate their graduation from their masters program, and thanked them for their wonderful contributions to the lab research. We wish them all the best.
Congratulations to Kamsi on Her Poster Presentation!
Congratulations to Kamsi, one of our global health interns from the Mezu-Ndubuisi Lab for her poster presentation at the Schwartz Scholars Research Day on October 4, 2024. Kamsi’s research titled, “Investigating the Prevalence of Diabetes and Barriers to Care Among Cataract Patients in Imo State, Nigeria,” was conducted during the 2024 Mezu International Foundation (MIF)’s Summer Annual Medical Mission. IRB for the research was obtained from MIF's collaborating institution, Abia State University Uturu, Nigeria. Kamsi received a $5,000 University of Rochester Schwartz Discover Grant to fund her travel to Nigeria.
Mezu-Ndubuisi Lab Global Health Trip to Imo State, Nigeria
The Mezu-Ndubuisi Lab conducted 5 global health research projects in July/August 2024 during the Mezu Foundation’s 21st annual free medical mission where 1300 men, women, and children were cared for by 70 medical and non-medical professionals. We indeed received more joy than we came to give. www.Mezufoundation.org
The students worked hard all year on their global health research projects, and it was wonderful to see their projects come to life. Neil, University of Rochester BS/MD student’s project studied Visual Quality of Life in patients at risk for Glaucoma in Imo State Nigeria. Prakriti, SUNY College of Optometry student’s project investigated the Prevalence of Visual Conditions in school aged children in the community. Kamsi, University of Rochester Biology/Public Health student’s project studied Prevalence of Systemic disease in Cataract patients with glaucoma, and she received a $5000 Schwartz Discover grant from University of Rochester to fund her summer travel to Nigeria for the medical mission.
High school students OlaRose and Ikechi also designed global health research projects. OlaRose screened 34 kids to study the correlation of Adams Forward Bend Test and scoliometer measurements with physical and mental health symptoms in detecting Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis in the community. Ikechi’s project focused on the effect of bullying on the mental and physical health of children with chronic illness.
These global health research projects will contribute to educating and offering sustainable preventive health solutions to improve health outcomes in the Imo State community, and enable MIF to channel its available resources to meet the community’s needs.
Clinical staff and students from the local institutions Abia State University and Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria assisted in providing medical and eye care at the medical mission, and enjoyed learning new skills—an ongoing collaboration for the past 10 years.
Kudos to these young servant leaders compassionately alleviating the suffering of others in our global world.
Mezu-Ndubuisi Lab Farewell Dinner for Feyone La
August 9, 2024 was the Farewell Dinner for Feyone La, M.S Biomedical Engineering, PhDcc, (Technical Associate II) as she relocates to sunny California closer to family. Although her position was transitional (6 months), we appreciate all her wonderful contributions to the lab and will miss her.
Mezu-Ndubuisi Lab Team-Building Event & Graduation Dinner
It was a fun time bowling at the Mezu-Ndubuisi Lab team-building event and graduation dinner on May 10, 2024. Ben completed his Masters in Biomedical Engineering, and Harsh (not pictured) completed his Masters in Business Analytics at University of Rochester. As they transition into the workforce, Ben will be full time in the lab as a Technical Associate II, and Harsh will be completing an internship in the Mezu-Ndubuisi Lab. Congratulations Ben and Harsh!
Congratulations to Kamsi Oparaugo!
Ms. Kamsi Oparaugo, a global health intern in the Mezu-Ndubuisi Lab, is the recipient of the 2024 Discover Grant for Undergraduate Summer Research. This research award will help fund travel costs and summer stipend for a global health research with Mezu International Foundation (MIF) in Imo State, Nigeria under the mentorship of Dr. Olachi J. Mezu-Ndubuisi. Kamsi's project is titled "Investigating the Prevalence of Diabetes and Barriers to Care in Cataract Patients in Imo State, Nigeria."
Mezu-Ndubuisi Lab "Lunch and Learn" Meeting
New lab members Feyone, Alfiya, Zoe, and Pranav were welcomed during the Mezu-Ndubuisi lunch research conference on March 1, 2024.
