Research

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My background in clinical optometry, sports vision and athletics has given me a truly unique perspective to pursue integrative research on natural gaze control mechanisms. As a PhD student co-supervised by Drs. Alan Kingstone and Miriam Spering, I aim to reveal new principles of gaze stabilization, tracking and visuomotor coordination. By recording eye, head, and hand movements during dynamic tasks, I seek to reveal how reflexive and voluntary mechanisms interact to coordinate vision and action. This knowledge can facilitate new training approaches, advance computational models, and optimize human performance in real-world domains. I am driven by a passion to explain natural visually-guided behavior and generate insights that improve sighting abilities and visual-motor integration.

Publications

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Journal publications:

• Mejia, A.C., Koehoorn M, Hall A, Davies H, VanTil L (2023) Investigating factors associated with medicinal cannabis authorization dosage among military Veterans in Canada. Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health. Aug 18, 2023; e20220080. https://doi.org/10.3138/jmvfh-2022-0080
• Mejia, A.C., (2022) Investigating factors associated with medicinal cannabis use among military veterans. (Master’s thesis). University of British Columbia.
• Mejia, A.C., K(2010) The Effects of Visual Enhancement Training Program on the Visual Skill Status of the Ateneo de Manila University Table Tennis Varsity Players for S.Y. 2008 to 2009. Centro Escolar University.
• Mejia, A.C., (2021) Elevator Pitch. In Himsworth CG, Byers KA, Gardy JL. The Mission, the Message, and the Medium. Science and Risk Communication in a Complex World. Pressbooks.
• Mejia, A.C., (2021) Briefing Note. In Himsworth CG, Byers KA, Gardy JL. The Mission, the Message, and the Medium. Science and Risk Communication in a Complex World. Pressbooks.

Conference proceedings (first author only):

• Mejia, A.C., Koehoorn M, Hall A, Davies H, VanTil L (2021) Investigating health and other characteristics of military veterans authorized to receive medicinal cannabis in Canada (poster presentation). 28th International Symposium on Epidemiology in Occupational Health.
• Mejia, A.C., (2009) Benefits of Sports Vision Enhancement Training (oral presentation). 33rd Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists National Convention.
• Mejia, A.C., (2009) Unlocking Athletic Potential through Sports Vision Training (oral presentation). Philippine Sports Science Conference.

CV

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Education:

• University of British Columbia, 2023-present, PhD in Neuroscience
• University of British Columbia, 2019-2021, MSc in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• Centro Escolar University, 2004-2010, Doctor of Optometry

Selected awards:

• Four Year Doctoral Fellowship (4YF) for PhD students, UBC, 2023-2027
• President’s Academic Excellence Initiative PhD Award, UBC, 2023-2027
• American Industrial Hygiene Foundation (AIHF) Ralph Vernon Scholarship, 2020
• AIHF Charles Redinger Scholarship for 2 years, 2019-2021
• Faculty of Medicine Graduate Entrance Scholarship, UBC, 2019
• One of Five Most Outstanding Students, CEU, 2009
• Most Promising Athlete of the Year, CEU, 2008
• President, Optometry Student Council, CEU, 2007
• University Full Academic Scholar, CEU, 2007
• Most Outstanding Year Level Student for 5 Years, CEU, 2004-2009
• Recipient of the Academic Excellence Award for 4 Years, CEU, 2004-2008
• Recipient of the Extra & Co-curricular Excellence Award for 5 Years, CEU, 2004-2009
• Recipient of the Leadership Excellence Award for 5 Years, CEU, 2004-2009