Emeritus Professor Eric Papas honoured with H. Barry Collin Research Medal

Emeritus Professor Eric Papas has been awarded the 2024 H. Barry Collin Research Medal for his outstanding achievements and significant contributions to cornea and contact lens research. Emeritus Professor Papas, a physics graduate from the University of Birmingham and an optometry graduate from Manchester University Institute of Science & Technology, migrated to Australia in 1992 to join the Cornea and Contact Lens Research Unit (CCLRU) at UNSW Sydney. In 2001 he completed his PhD at UNSW Sydney. His remarkable career includes several notable accomplishments:

1. Inventor and Researcher: Emeritus Professor Papas played a pivotal role in the commercialization of several highly regarded contact lens products, such as the Omniflex SofBlue high water content lens, Echelon soft Bifocal, Acuvue Advance silicone hydrogel lens, and Biofinity silicone hydrogel, among others.
2. Mentorship: He has trained over 20 graduate students who have gone on to become leaders in the field.
3. Service to the Profession: Emeritus Professor Papas has contributed significantly through manuscript reviewing for various journals and editorial positions. His leadership extends to organisations including the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society and the International Society for Contact Lens Research.
4. Research Impact: His work was instrumental in the development of the first silicone hydrogel lenses, and he holds 12 patents related to this field.

The H. Barry Collin Research Medal recognizes Emeritus Professor Papas’s exceptional dedication and impact on optometry and vision science. 

Please join us in congratulating Eric on this well-deserved honor.