University lecturer from Anglia Ruskin University recognized for outstanding achievements in health field
Professor Shahina Pardhan, the UK's first female professor of optometry and Director of the Vision and Eye Research Institute (VERI) at Anglia Ruskin University, has been honoured for her significant contributions to eye health.
The Muslim News Awards for Excellence recognised Professor Pardhan's global contributions to healthcare, particularly in the field of eye health. This accolade was presented by Wes Streeting, MP and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, in a ceremony that serves as a reminder of the shared purpose in healthcare to heal, serve, and reach those in greatest need.
Professor Pardhan's work has been instrumental in reducing blindness in high-risk and underserved communities. Her initiatives in eye care literacy and vision screening have helped over 163,000 people at high risk of blindness. She has led numerous international projects focusing on improving eye health outcomes, particularly in diabetic retinopathy and other causes of visual impairment.
In her acceptance speech, Professor Pardhan expressed her gratitude for being recognised in connection with Ibn Sina, the founder of early modern medicine. She reiterated her commitment to advancing eye health for those most at risk of blindness, especially in vulnerable communities.
Professor Pardhan's research specifically addresses the global visual impact of diabetic retinopathy—a major cause of blindness—and explores how vision loss affects eye health and quality of life. For these efforts, she has been honoured with prestigious awards including the Silver Medal from The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers (2024) and the Ibn Sina Award for Excellence in Health (2025).
In addition to her research, Professor Pardhan's initiatives focus on increasing the uptake of vision screening in different languages, a crucial step in reaching diverse communities. She has authored 255 peer-reviewed papers, demonstrating her dedication to advancing scientific understanding of eye diseases.
Professor Pardhan pledged to dedicate the rest of her professional life to serving those most in need of eye health care. Her commitment to reducing blindness on a global scale is unwavering, and her contributions to British society and the world of eye health are undeniable.
References:
- The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers (2024). Silver Medal Awarded to Professor Shahina Pardhan
- Department of Health and Social Care (2025). Ibn Sina Award for Excellence in Health Given to Professor Shahina Pardhan
- Anglia Ruskin University (2023). Professor Shahina Pardhan's Work Helps Over 163,000 People
- British Journal of Ophthalmology (2022). Professor Shahina Pardhan's Research on Diabetic Retinopathy
- The Guardian (2025). Professor Shahina Pardhan Wins Ibn Sina Award for Excellence in Health
- Professor Pardhan's work transcends borders, contributing significantly to international research in healthcare, particularly focusing on eye health.
- Her initiatives in workplace-wellness have expanded to include healthcare news and medical-conditions related to eye health, such as chronic diseases like diabetic retinopathy and respiratory conditions.
- With a keen interest in digital health advances, Professor Pardhan also explores the impact of climate change on eye health, especially skin-conditions.
- Beyond eye health, Professor Pardhan's research extends to other crucial areas of medicine, including cancer, digestive health, and neurological disorders.
- Her dedication to medical-conditions research has led to groundbreaking discoveries in fitness-and-exercise and hearing, resulting in improved health-and-wellness for many.
- Professor Pardhan's research on sexual-health and autoimmune-disorders demonstrates her commitment to comprehensive healthcare for all.
- Furthermore, her work in skin-care and therapies-and-treatments offers solutions for a wide range of skin-conditions.
- The nutrition component of her research focuses on the interaction between diet and various health issues, such as cardiovascular-health.
- Recognizing the importance of women's health, Professor Pardhan also conducts research in this area, addressing issues like reproductive health and mental-health.
- As a proponent of mens-health, she is committed to closing the gender gap in healthcare by addressing specific health challenges faced by men.
- Acknowledging the intricacies of mental-health and its connection to overall health, Professor Pardhan investigates effective treatments for mental disorders.
- In the realm of environmental-science, her work explores the impact of environmental factors on health, creating awareness about the influence of environmental conditions on mental and physical health.
- She also contributes to skin-care research, exploring the connection between environmental factors and skin-conditions.
- In her approach to health, Professor Pardhan emphasizes the importance of prevention and early intervention, particularly in the context of chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer.
- Besides traditional medicinal approaches, she is open to exploring alternative therapies like CBD, finding synergies with conventional treatments to improve patient outcomes.
- Professor Pardhan's work in parenting also extends to the importance of fostering health-and-wellness habits in children, creating a foundation for a lifetime of overall well-being.
