Meng Meng Xu, OD, MPH

Primary Academic Title

Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology

Background

Clinical Trials Summary

Reducing Adenoviral Patient Infected Days (RAPID) Study (2017 – 2019)
Role: Study Investigator

• An NIH-funded randomized clinical trial investigating the association of clinical signs and symptoms with qPCR-confirmed adenoviral conjunctivitis.

Research Interests

Public health, global health, optometric education, health communication, AI application in eye care

Research Summary

Dr. Xu’s research program is interdisciplinary, focusing on the intersection of public health, health communication and clinical optometry. She investigates innovative models for delivering eye care and health information, particularly in underserved and global settings. This includes qualitative studies on the impact of social media in health communication and quantitative assessments of international educational exchange programs. The overarching goal of her work is to develop evidence-based strategies that improve health systems, enhance clinician training and expand equitable access to care.

Selected Publications

• Xu M, Lewandowski C. Cross-Cultural Communication in Optometry: a Teaching Case Report. J Optom Educ. 2022;47(3):51-61. https://journal.opted.org/article/cross-cultural-communication-in-optometry-a-teaching-case-report/
• Chan B, Wahnschafft S, Xu M. The Non-Communicable Disease System Assessment Tool for Identifying Priorities for Investment. Washington, DC: World Bank Open Repository. 2024. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/41380 License: CC BY-NC 3.0 IGO. • 
• Xu M, Nishimoto J. The benefits of international educational collaboration in Optometry – An overview of the discussion at the 2022 Annual ASCO International Educators in Optometry’s SIG meeting. J Optom Educ. 2024;50 (2) https://journal.opted.org/article/the-benefits-of-international-educational-collaboration-in-optometry-an-overview-of-the-discussion-at-the-2022-annual-asco-international-educators-in-optometrys-sig-meeting/
• Xu M, Hue J, Albieri G, Patel B. Outcomes of U.S. Optometry Exchange Program for Students from China. J Optom Educ. 2024;48(3). https://journal.opted.org/article/outcomes-of-us-optometry-exchange-program-for-students-from-china/

Courses & Syllabi

• Public Health (New England College of Optometry, Summer 2023, 2024)
• Clinical Reasoning (New England College of Optometry, 2021-Present)
• Ocular Disease Principles I & II Lab (New England College of Optometry, 2015-2018, 2021-2022)
• Strategic Marketing Management in Health Systems (Teaching Fellow, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 2022)

Honors

• Theia Award of Excellence in Education, Women In Optometry (2023)
• Andre B Quamina Clinician Award, New England College of Optometry (2023)

Lectures & Presentations

• Collaboration in Interprofessional Care in Community Health Centers. National Academies of Practice Optometry Chapter Meeting, Boston, MA, United States. (2025, October).
• Innovation in Optometric Teaching. Vision China Conference, Beijing, China. (2023, November).
• Optometric Care for Asian Patients. VOSH International Continuing Education Series, Online. (2023, December).
• Joint Symposium of the Public Health Chapter of the American Academy of Optometry and World Congress of Optometry: Public Health, Education and Personal Issues. American Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, United States. (2019, October).
• International Collaboration in Optometry Education: a case study from the Consortium of Optometry and Ophthalmology Resource Development. Vision China Conference, Qingdao, China. (2019, August).
• Gonioscopy: How and When. World Congress of Optometry, Hyderabad, India. (2017, August).
• Eye Care Services in Community Health Centers in the USA. Vision China Conference, Hangzhou, China. (2017, July).
• A Novel Approach to the Treatment of Thyroid Eye Disease. World Congress of Optometry, Medellin, Colombia. (2015, August).
• Punctal Plug Workshop. World Congress of Optometry, Medellin, Colombia. (2015, August).

Memberships

• Fellow, American Academy of Optometry (FAAO)
• Distinguished Fellow, National Academy of Practice (FNAP)
• Massachusetts Optometric Association
• American Optometric Association
• Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO)

Professional Activities

• Board of Directors, Optometry Giving Sight (2023-Present)
• Past Chair , Public Health Educator SIG, Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) (2022-2025)
• Consultant, Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) (2015-Present)
• Consultant, World Bank Group, Health, Nutrition & Population Global Practice (2022-Present)
• Past Chair, International Optometric Educator SIG, Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) (2020-2023)
• Peer Reviewer, Canadian Journal of Optometry (2020-Present)