Dr. Steven Chalfin is a teacher in the Ophthalmology department at the University of Texas Health Science Center and also a proud Penn State Abington Alumnus! When recalling his experience at Penn State Abington he remembers a “great mix of old, historic buildings and new modern facilities” which still landmark our beautiful campus today. He says his time at Penn State was a perfect
preparation for life and a career in Science. The curriculum offered to him “had all the high-powered courses necessary to be competitive for Grad school”, but he also had plenty of opportunities to take “interesting electives”. He also remembers his favorite spots like the duck pond and the Lares building where he played Pinochle. Not much has changed, Professor! However, it’s gone from Pinochle to Ultimate Frisbee. Like many of our students, Dr. Chalfin wanted to stay in the Philadelphia area, close to home, making the transition from High School to College an easier transition. A lot of his friends also went to Abington too!
preparation for life and a career in Science. The curriculum offered to him “had all the high-powered courses necessary to be competitive for Grad school”, but he also had plenty of opportunities to take “interesting electives”. He also remembers his favorite spots like the duck pond and the Lares building where he played Pinochle. Not much has changed, Professor! However, it’s gone from Pinochle to Ultimate Frisbee. Like many of our students, Dr. Chalfin wanted to stay in the Philadelphia area, close to home, making the transition from High School to College an easier transition. A lot of his friends also went to Abington too!
Today Dr. Steven Chalfin works as a professor, where he teaches residents, does eye surgeries, and is involved in cutting-edge research projects. His favorite part of the job is “that everyday is different”. Although Dr. Chalfin never imagined himself as a teacher, becoming involved in different projects he “evolved”. Now he says “although challenging, teaching, particularly surgical teaching, is the most fun.” Dr. Chalfin is a retired Captain of the US Naval Reserve, an elected Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and American College of Surgeons. He is also a member of ARVO (Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology), Society of Photo-optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE), and NASA’s Ophthalmology.
For a busy professor and very active member of the researching society, he is very passionate about life learning, education and his students. He only had one thing to say when asked if there was any advice to alums or current students: “Live your college experience to the fullest! You will never have the opportunity again to devote all of your time and energy to learning.”
For a busy professor and very active member of the researching society, he is very passionate about life learning, education and his students. He only had one thing to say when asked if there was any advice to alums or current students: “Live your college experience to the fullest! You will never have the opportunity again to devote all of your time and energy to learning.”