Lifetime Achievement Award for prominent researcher

Professor Whitaker with his award

Professor David Whitaker – optometrist and prominent researcher – has been presented with a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the Association of Optometrists (AOP).

With a career spanning five decades, Professor Whitaker has been recognised for his “profound contribution and instrumental work on the career progression course for optometry”.

Professor Whitaker was ABDO’s dispensing and contact lens moderator for 13 years, providing the Association with many years of support.

He said: “It feels absolutely fantastic. It was a bit of a surprise. There’s always that sense of imposter syndrome, and thinking ‘Am I really worthy of this?’ – but I’m incredibly proud, and I thank the AOP immensely.”

As part of his acceptance speech, Professor Whitaker also offered thanks to those who have played an important role in his career, saying: “I’m so grateful to those that I have collaborated with, those that educated me when I was an undergraduate and a PhD student, and the fantastic advice that I’ve had from more senior academic researchers. I’ve learned so much from them. I think it would be unfair to single out an individual. I have many, many people to thank for getting me to this stage in my career.”

Professor Whitaker is dean and head of healthcare sciences at Cardiff University, was a visiting professor at the University of Nottingham, and has contributed to numerous research excellence panels.

On presenting the award, AOP chairman Emma Spofforth said she was delighted to celebrate “a truly exceptional colleague for his extraordinary work and awe-inspiring contribution to vision research and the optometry profession”.

With ABDO CEO Alistair Bridge and Dr Thompson

ABDO director of education, research and professional development, Dr Alicia Thompson, commented: “David’s passion for ophthalmic lenses means he has always been fully supportive of dispensing opticians – not only with his external moderator work for ABDO but in designing the career progression pathways to optometry for our members.”

The award was presented at a reception dinner held at the Andaz London Liverpool Street on Sunday 25 February. The event marked the 10-year anniversary of 100% Optical and was supported by headline sponsor, CooperVision alongside Specsavers and Lloyd & Whyte.