Jaya Siddireddy

Dr Jaya Sowjanya Siddireddy is an education and research focused academic in the discipline of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of Canberra. As a Lecturer, Dr Siddireddy is providing didactic and clinical training for Bachelor of Vision Science and Master of Optometry courses.

Dr Siddireddy received her Doctorate (PhD) in Optometry and Vision Science from the University of New South Wales in 2018. Her thesis broadly investigated the clinical, microbiological and biochemical characteristics of eyelids, and the effect of microblepharon exfoliation on eyelid characteristics in contact lens discomfort. Through this, Jaya built on her knowledge in microbiology, biochemistry and acquired laboratory skills.  

Dr Siddireddy is a passionate researcher with demonstrated abilities in laboratory-based, investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored clinical trials. Jaya worked as a core team member of the Eye Research Group (2018- 2021) at the School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW Sydney in the roles of Post-doctoral Research Fellow and Lab Manager of Clinical Research Suites and Diagnostics. In these roles, Jaya designed and conducted clinical research trials of varying sizes (participant pool) and complexities (study design). She also enjoyed being the sub-investigator on over 5 pivotal clinical trials evaluating the ocular safety and efficacy of a pharmaceutical products, novel drug delivery mechanisms, dietary supplements, and tear formulations for the management of dry eye, meibomian gland dysfunction and contact lens discomfort.  

Dr Siddireddy was part of various phase I, II, III and IV studies, through which she has gained hands-on experience in preparing the clinical study protocols, participant informed consent forms, participant recruitment advertisements, investigative brochures, Ethics applications, and other clinical trial relevant arrangements. Jaya also played a key role in data collection, encompassing case record forms to clinical database management systems. She gained sound knowledge about the regulatory framework prescribed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ANZCTR), spanning from clinical trial registration to the reporting. She worked closely with the research auditing team members, who monitor and ensure that the clinical trials abide to the protocols and ISO 14155:2011 GCP standards and advice to note or report any diversion from the protocol with justified reasoning, if applicable. 

Dr Siddirreddy was awarded various research awards and grants including the prestigious Ross Metcalf STEM+Business Fellowship 2021 by CSIRO and BCLA Dallos Award 2017 for her contact lens research. Jaya has successfully communicated her research at over 15 international and national optometry and ophthalmology conferences to date.