Prof. Barbara Krystyna Pierscionek
Position: Professor of Optometry and Vision Science
BSc (Optom); PhD; MBA; Postgrad Dip(Law); Postgrad Dip (Legal Practice); LLM
Barbara Pierscionek completed her first and second degrees at the University of Melbourne.Her first degree was in Science (Optometry) after which she undertook extra studies in biochemistry concentration in protein chemistry and biochemistry of nutrition. Her PhD at the Russell Grimwade School of Biochemistry combined protein biochemistry, with optics and mathematics in a study on patterns of ageing in the structure and function of the eye lens. A post-doctoral position at The Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne followed, working on pharmacokinetic models of arthritis before Barbara was offered the Schultz Fellowship at The National Vision Research Institute in Melbourne to continue work on the eye lens. In 1991 Barbara was awarded two Fellowships: NHMRC (National Health and Medical Research Council Fellowship) (RD Wright) fellowship as well as an Australian Research Council Fellowship and offered a lectureship in the Electronic Engineering Department at La Trobe University. She accepted the former fellowship combined with the lectureship (part-time) and became, at the time, the youngest RD Wright Fellow in Australia. Research work on the optics of the eye lens led to construction of an instrument which allowed simulation of the mechanism of ciliary muscle action combined with ray tracing, as well as the development of a fibre optic sensor for direct measurement of refractive index in the eye lens. This fellowship was followed by a further year at Monash University in the Department of Physiology before moving to The University of Bradford to a Senior Lectureship and then a Senior Research Fellowship. In 2004 she moved to University of Ulster. Barbara has been successful in obtaining NHMRC, ARC, EPSRC, British Council and industry grants.
Other activities have included promotion of science: founding member of Australian Science Communicators, organisation of scientific lectures for the public as a member of the ASMR (Australian Society for Medical Research). Community activities have included governorship of Usher Road Primary School in Bradford and currently as a Justice of Peace at the Bradford Magistrates Court.
Barbara has also obtained an MBA and legal qualifications and currently lectures in law and ethics.
Research Interests
Optics and ageing of the lens and cornea
Structure/function relationships in the lens and cornea
Fibre optic applications and instrumentation
Modelling of the ocular system
Ethics in healthcare practice
Recent Publications
Siedlecki, D. Kasprzak, H and Pierscionek, B.K.: Schematic eye with a gradient-
index lens and aspheric surfaces. Optics Letters, 29, 1197-1199 (2004).
Pierscionek, B.K., Belaidi, A. and Bruun, H.H.: Refractive index gradient in the porcine
lens for 532 and 633 nm light. Eye, 1-7 (2004) www.nature.com/eye
Gilchrist, J.M., Pierscionek, B.K. and Mann, W.M.: Use of the Hermann grid illusion in
the measurement of contrast perception in dyslexia. Vision Research , 45, 1-8 (2005)
Kwok, L.S. and Pierscionek, B.K.: Orthokeratology: Contact lenses for myopic
children: Wolf in sheep’s clothing? Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, 33, 343-
347 (2005)
Pierscionek, B.K.: Opponent theories of accommodation reconciled? Investigative
Ophthalmology and Visual Science www.iovs.org/cgi/eletters/45/8/2691 (2005)
Pierscionek, B.K. and Green, R.J.: Measurement of corneal surface refractive index.
Proceedings of SPIE, vol 5826, 500-511. (2005)
Evanger, K., Haugen, O.H., Aanderud, L., Thorsen, E., Pierscionek, B.K.:
Hypermetropia succeeded myopia after hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Optometry &
Vision Science 83, 195-198 (2006)
Asejczyk-Widlicka, M., ?ródka, D.W., Kasprzak, H. and Pierscionek, B.K.: Modelling the
elastic properties of the anterior eye and their contribution to maintenance of image
quality: the role of the limbus. Eye (2006) 1-8
http://www.nature.com/eye/journal/vaop/ncurrent/pdf/6702464a.pdf
Grants
1. R.D.Wright Fellowship (National Health and Medical Research Council) $254,000AUD
(1992-5)
2. National Health and Medical Research Council, project no. 921049. Factors contributing
to accommodation.(co-investigators Professor R.C.Augusteyn and Dr. G.Smith)
$69,500AUD (1992-4)
of the eye lens: its role in function and its relation to structure. $60,055.82AUD (1996-7)
4. Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, grant reference no. GR/M46310.
Dynamical optical properties of the eye lens. £116,000 (1999-2002)
5. Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, grant reference no. GR/M62679
DN170. Imaging Methods for producing Accurate, clinically-based Cataract Simulations
(IMACS) ~ £158,499 (1999-2001) (principal investigator: B.K.Pierscionek; co-
investigator: R. Green, University of Warwick)
1. Essilor equipment grant. 20,000FF (1995)
2. Essilor equipment grant. $35,880AUD (1996)
$10,800 AUD (1997)
4. Essilor equipment grant: Corneal birefringence £2,900 (1998)
5. Essilor International grant: Factors influencing the rate of development of
presbyopia. (£20,000) (2002-2004)
(69,000 Euro) (2004-2005)
1. Clive and Vera Ramaciotti Foundation, Grant-in aid A2440. Structure-function
relationship in the eye lens . $8,000AUD (1993)
2. Clive and Vera Ramaciotti Foundation and Welcome Trust Travel grant. $2000AUD &
£150 (1994)
the human cornea:development of a new method of diagnostic assessment. £2500-£3000
(part in Polish currency) (1999-2001)
4. Grant for PhD studentship from Royal National Institute for the Blind: £17,000 (2000-
2002)
5. Royal Society International Short Visit for Professor Yasseen from Kufa University, Iraq.
£3,970 (2006)