Because my IP role involves reviewing the technology and patents of competitors, I gained a general knowledge of the overall ophthalmic diagnostic space which has allowed me to expand my role and therefore my impact on the company. In addition to intellectual property, I am now involved with managing the early stage technology development in the company. As part of that, I oversee the R&D group’s involvement in the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual conference, one of the largest ophthalmology research conference in the world. I am responsible for coordinating the company’s abstract submissions onsite, reviewing the posters and presentations, and facilitating knowledge sharing from the conference throughout the organization. ARVO submissions by ZEISS employees have increased from two submittals per year in 2014, to over 50 in 2019. Each year over 30 people from R&D attend ARVO where they have the opportunity to learn about the latest technology and clinical developments.