Daniel Asfaw

Daniel

Project Update 16.04.2020

Current activities/Accomplishments:

I have recently submitted my thesis on the analysis of natural eye movements to detect glaucomatous vision loss. In my research, I have developed novel methods of detecting visual field loss from natural eye movements when watching videos or looking at pictures. Results from this research have provided more evidence for eye movements being disrupted by VF loss, that these changes are related to changes in clinical measures, and that it is possible to extract and process these measures using some novel methods automatically.

Currently, I am working on an eye-tracking project at City, University of London to understand how people value their vision. Alongside this, I am preparing manuscripts to publish parts of my thesis.

Future plans:

I am looking for postdoctoral opportunities in the field of vision science, where I would like to continue investigating eye movements to detect vision loss and to develop novel ways to test vision.

My EGRET+ Experience:

My PhD was funded by EGRET+ ITN and provided me with a unique opportunity to work with leading researchers in vision science at City, University of London. EGRET+ also allowed me to visit universities and industries in different parts of Europe in which I have networked with several researchers in the field. In sum, the PhD has been a significant learning step to become an independent researcher and to acquire leadership, networking, communication and presentation skills.

====

Detecting and monitoring glaucoma using eye movement scan paths

Supervisors:

Prof. David P. Crabb

Dr. Peter R. Jones

Background and interest

My name is Daniel S. Asfaw. I am from Ethiopia. I graduated in Electronics and Communication Engineering (BSc) from Mekelle University in 2010, and then I worked as engineer for three years. I studied Erasmus Masters, for a 2-year, with three institutions; Université de Bourgogne in Le Creusot, France, Universitat de Girona in Girona, Spain and Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland. Through this, I achieved his MSC in Computer Vision and Robotics (Erasmus Mundus masters) in 2015.

I joined Crabb Lab at city, University of London (http://www.staff.city.ac.uk/crabblab/#/) for my PhD in February 2017. My main PhD project involves investigating eye movements of patients with glaucoma.

Aim of the project

Eye movements (EMs) are the most frequent voluntary action we make in our waking day, occurring more times per second than our hearts beat. A predominant EM is the saccade – the quick, ballistic action the eyes make as they move between fixations. Glaucoma detection and monitoring is done, mainly inadequately, in a clinic; a system that is likely unsustainable in the future. Instead of relying on infrequent tests in a clinic, focus should shift to capturing vision loss as part of a person’s ordinary daily activities. Our contention is that anomalies in EMs tracked during viewing of stimuli have the potential to be developed into a rigorous test that could be incorporated into an everyday activity, like something as simple as watching a movie.

Personal links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-sileshi-asfaw-72a16361/