New York, NY — The State University of New York (SUNY) College of Optometry celebrated the inauguration of Dr. David Troilo, PhD, as its fourth president during a ceremony held Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at the New York City Bar Association.
The celebration brought together leaders from across the SUNY system, state officials, faculty, students, alumni, families, friends, and representatives from professional organizations including the American Optometric Association, the New York State Optometric Association, and the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry. Together, they honored Dr. Troilo’s years of service and his vision for advancing education, research, and patient care in the field of optometry.
Dr. Troilo has served as president since 2024, bringing more than 17 years of leadership experience at the College. His presidency builds on a legacy of research and innovation, expanding access to care, and preparing the next generation of optometrists and vision scientists. Under his leadership, the College of Optometry continues to strengthen its standing as a national and international academic health center recognized for unparalleled excellence in optometric education, research, and clinical care.
“The College of Optometry is not just a college. It is not just a clinic. It is the realization of a multifaceted dynamic idea — where leading research, outstanding education, and innovative patient care converge to create great eye doctors who deliver great eye care,” said Dr. David Troilo, president of SUNY College of Optometry.
“We live in a time of unprecedented demand for more and better healthcare, yet we face extraordinary challenges and uncertainty about the future of healthcare and the research that supports it. But because of who we are, and what we do, I am optimistic about what lies ahead for the College and for eye care. No matter the challenge, we will focus our vision and achieve our mission.”
John B. King Jr., Chancellor of the State University of New York, and Dr. Merryl Tisch, Chair of the State University of New York Board of Trustees, led the investiture ceremony.
SUNY Chancellor King said, “As one of our nation’s premier institutions in its field, SUNY College of Optometry offers students from all backgrounds the opportunity to learn from world-class faculty, gain vital clinical experience, and participate in cutting-edge research. Dr. David Troilo brings a wealth of experience to his new role, and I am confident he will continue the proud tradition of SUNY leadership.”
In a statement, the SUNY Board of Trustees said, “SUNY College of Optometry has a stellar history of academic and research excellence, preparing medical students to care for New Yorkers across the state. For more than 50 years, it has been a leader in its field and essential to training future eye care professionals. We look forward to working with Dr. Troilo as he builds on the College’s strengths and success.”
As president, Dr. Troilo has identified four central priorities: advancing excellence, driving innovation, enhancing access, and serving communities across New York. The College is developing new models of clinical education and expanding research collaboration across disciplines to prepare graduates to thrive in a profession that integrates medical, technological, and behavioral sciences—ensuring the College of Optometry remains at the forefront of evidence-based care.
The latest initiative of this vision is the SUNY College of Optometry Upstate Program, in partnership with SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. Launching in 2027, the program will extend the College’s academic and clinical reach, expand access to optometric education, and help address critical provider shortages in Central and Upstate New York.
Dr. Troilo joined SUNY College of Optometry in 2008 as Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs, overseeing professional and graduate programs in vision science and research. He co-founded the College’s Clinical Vision Research Center in 2013, which has since conducted more than 100 clinical studies to improve patient outcomes. His research focuses on the visual control of eye growth and the mechanisms of myopia development and has been funded by the National Institutes of Health and industry partners for over 30 years.
Prior to joining the College, Dr. Troilo held postdoctoral appointments at the University of Oxford and Cornell University. He earned his PhD in biology from the City University of New York and a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Oswego. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
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About SUNY Optometry
Founded in 1971 and located in New York City, the State University of New York College of Optometry is a leader in education, research, and patient care, offering the Doctor of Optometry degree as well as MS and PhD degrees in vision science. The College conducts a robust program of basic, translational, and clinical research and has 65 affiliated clinical training sites as well as an on-site clinic, the University Eye Center. SUNY Optometry is regionally accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools; its four-year professional degree program and residency programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association. To learn more about SUNY Optometry, visit www.sunyopt.edu.