About Nicola
I currently split my time between leading the Acute Eye Care and Paediatric Ophthalmology modules on the MSc Applied Clinical Practice in Ophthalmology programme, and working as a Specialist Optometrist in the Emergency Eye Care team at the Royal Devon University Hospital Trust. I have worked in Higher Education since 2013, initially as a Clinical Demonstrator at Aston University before moving to the University of Plymouth to undertake a postgraduate research position studying for a PhD entitled; 'Ocular Accommodation in Humans'. I was a Clinical Demonstrator on the BSc (hons) Optometry Programme at the University of Plymouth until I was awarded my PhD in 2017 and joined the academic lecturing team full-time and became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. On the undergraduate programme I held additional roles of Third-year Tutor, Clinical Lead, Head Admissions Tutor and Programme Lead. I designed and delivered numerous modules during this time including Clinical Skills, Ocular Pathology and Therapeutics, and Clinical Case Management. I joined the MSc Applied Clinical Practice in Ophthalmology programme in 2023 and supervise MSc ACP research students. I took a brief hiatus to undertake a full-time clinical role as a Specialist Optometrist at the West of England Eye Unit working in acute eye care and paediatric ophthalmology clinics at the Royal Devon University Hospital Trust, and like to incorporate my clinical experiences into Problem-Based Learning to underpin the modules that I lead. I have a broad range of active research interests including: optometric public health and the accessibility of eye care, accommodation and the ciliary muscle, and the influence of lifestyle of ocular ageing. I have published in national and international peer-reviewed journal publications, and presented research internationally in the USA, Australia and Europe.Teaching
Current Module Lead for- ACO703 Acute Eye Care
- ACO709 Advanced Paediatric Ophthalmology
- OPT604 Clinical Case Management Pharmacology and Ophthalmic Drugs
- OPT507 Introduction to Pathology and Therapeutics
- OPT302 General Optometric Practice
- OPT402/OPT105 Clinical Optometry Skills 1
- SoHP401 Preparation for Professional Practice
- OPT 201 Clinical Optometry Skills 2
- OPT 202 Specialist Skills (including contact lenses)
- OPT603 Enhanced Pathology and Therapeutics
- PARA301 Refining Practitioner Skills for Patient Care
- ADV710 Pathomechanics and the Rehabilitation of Gait and Balance (Post-graduate module)
Contact Nicola
InterCity Place, Plymouth Railway Station, North Road East,, Plymouth, PL4 6AB
+44 1752 587571
nicola.szostek@plymouth.ac.uk
