Samson Darrah, an alumnus of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi and second-year Bioengineering PhD student at the University of Washington (UW), has achieved three major recognitions in October 2025 for his outstanding academic and research excellence.

Darrah, who earned his Doctor of Optometry degree from KNUST in 2023, served as a Teaching, Research, and Clinical Assistant in the Department of Optometry and Visual Science before beginning his PhD studies in Seattle.

He was conferred as a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO), selected among the top six newsworthy presenters at the Academy’s 2025 Annual Meeting in Boston, and named a 2025 UW Homecoming Scholar, all within the same month.

The Fellowship designation, one of the most prestigious honours in optometry and vision science, recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional clinical expertise, research excellence, and service to the profession.

Candidates undergo rigorous written and oral examinations before being admitted as Fellows. Through this achievement, Darrah joins a distinguished network of vision scientists and clinicians committed to advancing global eye and vision care.

At the same Annual Meeting, Darrah’s research presentation, titled “Assessing the Diagnostic Utility of AlphaMissense for Missense Variant Classification in Inherited Retinal Diseases,” was selected by the Academy’s Communications Committee as one of the six most newsworthy scientific presentations of the conference.

The study explores how emerging artificial intelligence tools can improve the interpretation of genetic variants in inherited retinal diseases.

He delivered his presentation during the Innovations in Vision and Eye Care (IVEC) session on October 8, 2025, alongside other leading researchers. The session, opened by Dr. Jeffrey J. Walline, President of the American Academy of Optometry, showcased cutting-edge research at the intersection of science, technology, and clinical practice.

In addition, Darrah was named one of six recipients of the 2025 University of Washington Homecoming Scholarship, an award that celebrates students whose academic excellence, leadership, and community engagement embody the university’s values.

The recognition includes a $6,000 scholarship and formal acknowledgement during the Homecoming football game on October 10.

His research at the University of Washington focuses on developing high-resolution ophthalmic imaging and genetic sequencing tools to better understand the genotype-to-phenotype relationship in inherited retinal diseases.

Reflecting on his journey, Darrah credits KNUST for laying the foundation for his scientific growth and professional discipline. His achievements underscore the global impact of KNUST-trained scientists and the university’s continued contribution to advancing eye health and biomedical research.

More information about the Fellowship and awards can be found on the respective websites of the American Academy of Optometry and the University of Washington Alumni Association.