I am an Optometrist and Educational-Focused Academic at the School of Optometry and Vision Science (SOVS), with a strong background in clinical education and research. I hold a PhD from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney.
Before my current role, I served as an Associate Professor at the University of La Salle in Bogotá, Colombia, for 18 years. During this time, I also led the Research Centre in Health and Vision (RCHV) and...view more
I am an Optometrist and Educational-Focused Academic at the School of Optometry and Vision Science (SOVS), with a strong background in clinical education and research. I hold a PhD from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney.
Before my current role, I served as an Associate Professor at the University of La Salle in Bogotá, Colombia, for 18 years. During this time, I also led the Research Centre in Health and Vision (RCHV) and played a pivotal role in the development of Latin America's first master’s program in Vision Science by research, serving as its inaugural director.
My academic and leadership experience includes curriculum development, quality assurance, and program evaluation in health sciences education. I have also been a peer reviewer for tertiary-level educational programs in health, formally recognized by the Colombian Ministry of Education.
My Grants
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National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Project Grant, awarded to Guillemin, G., Gupta, S. As an Associate Investigator: Jimenez, I.AU $1,063,797, AAP2015197, 2022-2024. Grant entitled: An integrated platform for the early diagnosis and treatment of biotoxin-related illnesses in Australia like Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome.
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La Salle University-Research Centre in Health and Vision (RCHV); Research grant awarded to: Jimenez, I., Rodriguez, M.F., Bernal, L., Molina, N & Khuu S.K. AUD $80,000, 2017. Grant entitled: Evaluation of human, animal and environmental health risks in agricultural production systems using agrochemicals.
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La Salle University and Tecnoquimicas S.A Company. Ballesteros, F., Rodriguez, M.F., & Jimenez, I., AUD $97,000, 2015. Grant entitled: Biocompatibility of one contact lenses multi-purpose solution with the ocular surface and the antimicrobial activity of two multi-purpose solutions.
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La Salle University, Research grant awarded to: Jimenez, I., Garzon, J., Rodriguez, M.F., & Khuu S.K. AUD $ 78,000, 2014. Grant entitled: Visual and ocular neurotoxicity in workers exposed to organic solvents.
My Qualifications
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PhD in Optometry, University of New South Wales (UNSW, Sydney) 2014
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Master in Business Administration (MBA), La Salle University, Bogota- Colombia 2003
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Graduate Diploma in Pedagogy, La Salle University, Bogota-Colombia 2004
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Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health Administration, Universidad de Bogota, Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Bogota-Colombia 1998
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Graduate Certificate in Human Talent Management, Colombian Chamber of Commerce, 2017
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Graduate Certificate in Curriculum, La Salle University, Bogota- Colombia 2008
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Graduate Certificate in Didactics Strategies: Course redesign through Cases Method, The Technological Institute of Monterrey (TEC)- Mexico,2005
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Bachelor of Optometry, La Salle University, Bogota- Colombia 1998
My Awards
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2024 Fellowship American Academy of Optometry
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2018, La Salle University’s Research Vice- rectory, best researcher in the area of Health and Sciences.
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2017, La Salle University’s Academic Vice- rectory, best lecturer in the area of Health and Sciences.
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2015, La Salle University’s Rectory award, best Director of The Research Centre in Health and Vision (RCHV)
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2009-2014, recipient of Scholarship by Latin American Program of American Universities (LASPAU) in collaboration with the Science Ministry of Colombia & Universidad de La Salle (Colombia) to study a PhD Program in Australia
My Research Activities
My research centers on occupational health and vision, with a particular focus on assessing workplace risks that affect the eye and visual system. I investigate how emerging occupational hazards—such as exposure to chemical substances, biological toxins, and pesticides—may impact ocular health and visual function. Specifically, my research aims to:
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Develop a comprehensive eye-vision test battery for the early detection of neurotoxicity caused by workplace exposures.
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Design and advocate for the integration of this eye-vision battery into occupational health guidelines and policies to prevent neurotoxic effects.
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Promote self-care interventions and educational strategies to reduce the incidence of work-related eye injuries and illnesses.
In the educational domain, my research explores innovative vision health education through diverse pedagogical approaches and didactics. I analyze learning styles of students and vision health professionals using frameworks such as the VARK model, alongside other adult learning methodologies. My goal is to enhance student engagement and knowledge retention by incorporating creative, game-based learning elements—including podcasts, movie case analyses, and escape rooms—into vision health curricula.
Together, my research seeks to bridge clinical occupational health and educational innovation, ultimately improving both worker eye safety and the effectiveness of vision science education.
My Research Supervision
Supervision keywords
Areas of supervision
Through research, teaching and the supervision of research students, it is my aim to raise awareness about how exposure to chemical substances and biotoxins at the workplace could cause early changes in the eye and visual function, how the eye and vision could be considering an important organ-sense to detect and prevent neurotoxicity. Also, the importance of self-care interventions to prevent eyes and vision’ work-related injuries and illness focus on patient education.
My Teaching
I have extensive teaching experience across a broad range of topics within Optometry and Vision Science, including Optometry and Occupational Health, Public Health, Visual Neuroscience, Optical Dispensing, Evolution and Vision, Administration and Marketing, and Optical Enterprise Management. I am confident and well-versed in delivering content in these subject areas and bring a valuable international perspective to my teaching approach, informed by diverse educational and professional contexts.
I have served as course coordinator for both undergraduate and postgraduate subjects, including:
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7874-2598