UPDATE: Council on Scientific Affairs (COSA)
Thikriat Al-Jewair
Representative, Council on Scientific Affairs
I am honored to represent NESO on the Council on Scientific Affairs (COSA). Since joining the council in 2023, I have truly enjoyed contributing to the AAO’s mission of advancing research and scholarship within our exceptional profession. The council meets at least twice a year to review research applications and support scientific programming for the AAO Annual Session.
2025 Annual Session Highlights
The Council had a productive and impactful year leading up to the 2025 AAO Annual Session. We received and evaluated over 400 research submissions spanning a variety of categories, including Oral Research Presentations, Table Clinics, E-Posters, the William R. Proffit Resident Scholar Program, and the prestigious Hellman, Sicher, and Graber Awards.
COSA members convened on April 24, 2025, during the AAO Annual Session to judge 36 William R. Proffit Resident Scholar poster presentations and 21 Table Clinics. Additionally, members moderated 19 Oral Research sessions and the Hellman, Sicher, and Graber lectures. A total of 300 E-Posters were available for viewing during the session.
A highlight this year was the invitation extended to two top Oral Research presenters to speak at the Society of Educators Annual Meeting, further strengthening the bridge between scientific discovery and educational leadership.
Awards Summary
Milo Hellman Research Award
Dooyeol Kim/ University of Texas- Houston
Harry Sicher Research Award
Waheed Awotoye/ University of Iowa
Thomas M. Graber Awards of Special Merit
Emelia Karkazis/ University of Illinois-Chicago
Da In Kim/ University of British Columbia
Brian Decker/ Roseman University of Health Sciences
Jennifer Xu/ University of Michigan
(l to r: Da In Kim, Emelia Karkazis, Dooyeol Kim, Jennifer Xu, Waheed Awotoye, Brian Decker, Jose Bosio)
Dr. William R. Proffit Resident Scholar Award
Basic Science:
Natcha Mahatumarat/ Forsyth Institute (1st)
Zaina Salloot/ Harvard University (2nd)
Gabriel Valencia/ University at Buffalo (3rd)
Clinical Science:
Branden Lim/ University of Melbourne (1st)
Laura Lin/ University of California, San Francisco (2nd)
Michelle Skelton/ Columbia University (3rd)
(l to r: Gabriel Valencia, Zaina Salloot, Natcha Mahatumarat, Branden Lim, Laura Lin, Michelle Skelton, Jose Bosio)
Joseph E. Johnson Clinical Award for Table Clinics
Marie-Pascale Gratton/ University of Montreal
Richard Andrews/ University of North Carolina
Alexandre Carrier/ University of Montreal
(l to r: Thikriat Al-Jewair, Jose Bosio, Richard Andrews, Alexandre Carrier, Marie-Pascale Gratton, Eser Tufekci, Denise Prugh)
Looking Ahead: 2026 Annual Session in Orlando
Preparations for the 2026 Annual Session in Orlando are well underway! We encourage all NESO members to begin planning and preparing their submissions early.
Key Application Deadlines to Note:
§ Milo Hellman, Harry Sicher, and Thomas Graber Awards
Opens: March 15, 2025
Closes: October 1, 2025 at 5:00 PM CST
§ Oral Research, Table Clinic, and E-Poster Presentations
Opens: August 4, 2025
Closes: October 15, 2025 at 5:00 PM CST
§ Dr. William R. Proffit Resident Scholar Award (second listing)
Opens: December 1, 2025
Closes: February 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM CST
We look forward to reviewing your outstanding submissions and seeing you in Orlando!