OVS02 - The Living Eye Under the Microscope: Tracking Corneal Nerves and Immune Cells in Real Time

Overview

Have you ever wondered what happens beneath the surface of the eye? This project offers a rare opportunity to explore a microscopic world that few people ever get to see.

Using state-of-the-art imaging technology, we can visualise tiny nerves and immune cells in the living eye and follow their behaviour over time. By tracking these structures in real time, we hope to uncover how they communicate, adapt and respond to change, providing new insights into eye health and disease.

This project sits at the intersection of optometry, neuroscience, immunology and artificial intelligence, and forms part of an exciting funded research within the Anterior Eye Laboratory. Students will contribute to answering questions that remain largely unexplored and gain first-hand experience in how new discoveries are made.

Research engagement

This project offers a unique opportunity to experience how discoveries are made and to engage with research at the forefront of optometry, neuroscience and eye imaging.

Research activities

Students will become part of the Anterior Eye Laboratory and work alongside clinicians, researchers and PhD students within the Centre for Vision and Eye Research (CVER).

Throughout the project, students will participate in hands-on research experiences including exploring scientific literature, analysing advanced corneal imaging datasets, tracking microscopic structures over time and contributing to data interpretation. Students will attend research meetings, discuss findings with the research team and gain insight into how collaborative discoveries are made.

The project will be supervised by Dr Luisa Colorado and Associate Professor Katie Edwards in a friendly, supportive and highly collaborative research environment.

Research skills

This project offers a unique opportunity to develop skills that are rarely encountered in the undergraduate curriculum. Students will gain experience in critical appraisal of scientific literature, analysis and interpretation of complex imaging data, scientific problem solving and evidence-based thinking.

Outcomes

The aim of this project is to uncover how tiny nerve structures and immune cells behave and interact in the living eye. By tracking these structures over time, we hope to gain new insights into how the eye responds to injury and maintains health.

Skills and experience

This project would suit curious and motivated Optometry students with an interest in ocular surface disease, neuroscience, imaging or innovation in eye care. No previous research experience is required.

Start date

2 November, 2026

End date

19 February, 2027

Location

KG - Q block

Additional information

Students will be integrated into a friendly and collaborative research environment and will have the opportunity to attend research meetings and interact with clinicians, researchers and PhD students. This project provides a unique opportunity to experience what life as a researcher is really like and to explore potential pathways to postgraduate research.

Keywords

• eye imaging
• artificial intelligence
• neuroscience

Contact

Luisa H. Colorado

0425778429

luisa.holguincolorado@qut.edu.au