Student: Ishani Shelat
If you’ve ever forgotten where you put your glasses, East Carolina University senior Ishani Shelat may be able to help.
A biochemistry major and future optometrist, Shelat’s also earning an entrepreneurship certificate in the ECU Miller School of Entrepreneurship. While participating in the Provost Challenge and Pirate Entrepreneurship Challenge, Shelat’s team developed an eyeglass brand called OcuFind, a Bluetooth microchip embedded in glass frames. Using an app, people could avoid the sometimes daily inconvenience of losing their glasses. Her team thought about how it could especially help children and the elderly population.
Ishani Shelat works with a model of a human eye in a lab in Flanagan Building.
“While designing and planning this product, I realized how innovations and research are on the rise and how important it is for our future generations,” said Shelat, who also started her own freelance photography business while in college.
With graduation just a month away, Shelat’s future is coming into focus. She will be attending the Pennsylvania College of Optometry this fall.
Her interest in becoming an eye doctor goes back to elementary school, when she was the first in her class to get eyeglasses.
“My childhood optometrist inspired me to explore optometry due to his attention to detail and friendliness,” Shelat said. “I then decided to shadow the profession in college to check out the field. Through shadowing, I realized that I had the ability to develop connections with my patients and educate them about their ocular health.”
In summer 2020, Shelat worked as a doctor scribe for a late-stage clinical trial at an ophthalmic research company in Raleigh. The study evaluated the efficacy and safety of varenicline nasal spray on signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. “I was able to perform various tests on patients and learn about different infectious diseases. I learned how to perform Schirmer’s tests on the patients for dry eye symptom indication throughout the study,” she said.
She noticed many patients traveled from rural areas to be in the clinical studies. “Many of these patients did not have routine eye checkups, resulting in poor overall eye health. This made me realize how I hope to involve myself in community endeavors like these to educate my patients on optometry,” she said.
Last summer, Shelat participated in the State University of New York optometry eye care program, joining students from around the United States and other countries.
“From the business aspect of building my brand to staying updated with technology with both artificial intelligence and optometric techniques, the program allowed me to learn about the multidisciplinary aspects of optometry,” she said. “We collectively planned a three-day program for K-eighth graders to practice proper eye care, nutrition and hygiene, and the importance of yearly checkups.”
Away from the classroom, Shelat tutors K-12th graders in math and biology to prepare for standardized and school exams, working with children who have attention deficit disorders and anxiety.
“Tutoring these students has given me immense gratification as they are able to reach their goals through my assistance,” she said.
Reflecting on the past four years, Shelat said she’s met so many people at ECU who have contributed to her success and growth. “I found my second home when I realized no matter what I wanted to pursue, I’d always have a strong support system here at ECU,” she said.
STATISTICS
Name: Ishani Shelat
College: Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences
Age: 21
Classification/Year: Senior
Hometown: Cary
Hobbies/interests: Photography — Started my own photography business during my sophomore year and worked with so many different individuals and groups. I also love educating others about optometry. When I’m not on my screens, I enjoy painting and spending a lot of time outdoors with friends and family.
Clubs and Organizations: ECU Ambassadors, TriBeta Honor Society, Pre-Optometry Club, Pre-Surgical Society, entrepreneurship certificate program
FAVORITES
Favorite hangout: Wright Plaza
Favorite place on campus: ECU mall
Favorite place to eat: Christy’s
Favorite class: Biochemistry I with Dr. Patrick Horn
Professor who influenced you the most: Dr. Xiaoping Pan
Favorite TV show: “White Collar”
Favorite band/musician: 24kGoldn
Favorite movie: “The Martian”
MOTIVATIONS
Dream job: Optometrist
Role model: Dr. Jennifer Tsai — She graduated from Pennsylvania College of Optometry, moved to New York City and started her own business and eyewear line.
What is something cool about ECU that you wish you knew during your first year? I wish I knew the number of resources Joyner Library has for students to use. They have hotspots, macs, cameras and so much more that you can check out to use. You also have access to Adobe Creative through your ECU login which includes Photoshop and Lightroom, both of which I use for my photography business!