PhD Student
acmejia@student.ubc.ca
Education
University of British Columbia, 2023-present, PhD in Neuroscience
University of British Columbia, 2019-2021, MSc in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
Centro Escolar University, 2004-2010, Doctor of Optometry
Background
My background in clinical optometry, sports vision and athletics has given me a truly unique perspective to pursue integrative research on natural gaze control mechanisms. As a PhD student co-supervised by Drs. Alan Kingstone and Miriam Spering, I aim to reveal new principles of gaze stabilization, tracking and visuomotor coordination. Beyond academics, I enjoy spending time with family.
Research interests
To interact with our dynamic world, our eyes and heads must work together to stabilize gaze and track targets. My research aims to quantify how the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR)—compensatory eye movements during head turns—contributes to active gaze control and target interception. When we track a moving object by turning our head, does VOR function change compared to passive motion? How does VOR help coordinate eye and hand movements when intercepting targets? By recording eye, head, and hand movements during dynamic tasks, I seek to reveal how reflexive and voluntary mechanisms interact to coordinate vision and action. This knowledge can facilitate new training approaches, advance computational models, and optimize human performance in real-world domains. I am driven by a passion to explain natural visually-guided behavior and generate insights that improve sighting abilities and visual-motor integration.
Publications
Mejia, A.C., Koehoorn M, Hall A, Davies H, VanTil L (2023) Investigating factors associated with medicinal cannabis authorization dosage among military Veterans in Canada. Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health. Aug 18, 2023; e20220080. https://doi.org/10.3138/jmvfh-2022-0080
Mejia, A.C. (2022) Investigating factors associated with medicinal cannabis use among military veterans. (Master’s thesis). University of British Columbia.
Mejia, A.C. (2010) The Effects of Visual Enhancement Training Program on the Visual Skill Status of the Ateneo de Manila University Table Tennis Varsity Players for S.Y. 2008 to 2009. Centro Escolar University.
Mejia, A.C., Koehoorn M, Hall A, Davies H, VanTil L (2021) Investigating health and other characteristics of military veterans authorized to receive medicinal cannabis in Canada (poster presentation). 28th International Symposium on Epidemiology in Occupational Health.
Mejia, A.C. (2009) Benefits of Sports Vision Enhancement Training (oral presentation). 33rd Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists National Convention.
Mejia, A.C. (2009) Unlocking Athletic Potential through Sports Vision Training (oral presentation). Philippine Sports Science Conference.
Mejia, A.C. (2021) Elevator Pitch. In Himsworth CG, Byers KA, Gardy JL. The Mission, the Message, and the Medium. Science and Risk Communication in a Complex World. Pressbooks.
Mejia, A.C. (2021) Briefing Note. In Himsworth CG, Byers KA, Gardy JL. The Mission, the Message, and the Medium. Science and Risk Communication in a Complex World. Pressbooks.
Awards
- Four Year Doctoral Fellowship (4YF) for PhD students, UBC, 2023-2027
- President’s Academic Excellence Initiative PhD Award, UBC, 2023-2027
- American Industrial Hygiene Foundation (AIHF) Ralph Vernon Scholarship, 2020
- AIHF Charles Redinger Scholarship for 2 years, 2019-2020
- Faculty of Medicine Graduate Entrance Scholarship, UBC, 2019
- One of Five Most Outstanding Students, CEU, 2009
- Most Promising Athlete of the Year, CEU, 2008
- President, Optometry Student Council, CEU, 2007
- University Full Academic Scholar, CEU, 2007
- Most Outstanding Year Level Student for 5 Years, CEU, 2004-2009
- Recipient of the Academic Excellence Award for 4 Years, CEU, 2004-2008
- Recipient of the Extra & Co-curricular Excellence Award for 5 Years, CEU, 2004-2009
- Recipient of the Leadership Excellence Award for 5 Years, CEU, 2004-2009