BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Academic & Professional Background

• B.S. (Science) 1977 - Rochester Institute of Technology, New York
• M.S. (Physiological Optics) 1981 - University of California- Berkeley
• O.D. (Optometry) 1981 - University of California-Berkeley
• Residency (Hospital Based Optometry & Low Vision) 1982 - VA Medical Center, Kansas City, MO
• Ph.D. (Physiology & Biophysics) 1996 - Finch University of Health Sciences, Chicago Medical School, North Chicago, IL

Current Research Interests

• Aging Topics
• Vision Research

Selected Publications

Richer S. Part I: A protocol for the evaluation and treatment of atrophic age-related macular degeneration. Artif Organs 23:10-14, 1999.

Richer S. Spinach may prevent central vision loss. HealthFacts February, 1999.

Rose RC, Richer SP, Bode AM. Ocular oxidants and antioxidant protection. Soc Exp Biol Med 217:397-407, 1998.

Feller AG, Alva ME, Richer SP. Nutrition support in the elderly. In: Nutrition and Stroke. Henerici M, Sitzer G (Eds.), Vevy/Lippincott-Raven Publishers, Philadelphia, 1997.

Rose RC, Gogia R, Richer SP. Properties of electrochemically active components in mammalian vitreous humor. Exp Eye Res (in press), 1997.

Richer SP. Prevention and medical management of age related macular degeneration (Chapter 30). In: Atlas of Retinal Diseases. Cavalerano T, Oshinski L (Eds.), Butterworth Publishing, Inc., Newton, MA, July 1997.

Richer SP, Age-Related Macular Degeneration Study Group. Multicenter ophthalmic and nutritional age-related macular degeneration study Part I: Design, sujects and procedures. J Am Optom Assoc 67(2):12-29, 1996.

Richer SP, Age-Related Macular Degeneration Study Group. Multicenter ophthalmic and nutritional age-related macular degeneration study Part II: Antioxidant intervention and conclusions. J Am Optom Assoc 67(2):30-49, 1996.

Richer SP. Mammalian aqueous humor water soluble antioxidants. PhD Thesis at Finch University of Health Sciences, Chicago Medical School. University Microfiche, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 1996.

Richer SP, Gogia R, Rose RC. An apparatus for UV B irradiation of small volumes of biological fluid under controlled oxygen tension. Optom and Vis Sci 73:683-688, 1996.

Projects Completed or Active (Selected)

• Vision Therapy/Low Vision Dual Specialization Study
• Glimperide vs Glyburide in Subjects with NIDDM
• Multicenter Optometry Dietetic Study
• Memmalian Agueous Humor Water Soluble Antioxidants

Research Funding Sources

• Ezell Foundation of the American Academy of Optometry
• Illinois Society for Prevention of Blindness
• Twin Laboratories
• Upjohn
• VA Health Services Research & Development

Research Methods Employed

• HPLC/Electrochemical Detection
• Optical Instrument Design
• Visual Psychophysics

Professional Accomplishments

• 1989-1990 - Secretary, National Association of VA Optometrists
• 1985, 1986, 1988, 1991 - Reviewer, Journal of the American Optometric Association
• 1985-1993 - Residency Director, VA Medical Center, North Chicago, IL
• 1984 - Fellow, American Academy of Optometry

Honors

• 1993 - Special Education Award for Mentor of Disabled Students, Lake County, IL
• 1994 - Research Award, National Association of VA Optometrists
• 1994-1996 - Ezell Fellow, American Academy of Optometry
• 1996 - Second Prize at the Graduate Student Research Competition, Finch Univeristy of Health Sciences, Chicago Medical School
• 1996 - Editor's Eagle Award for Best Paper, American Optometrical Association