Yutaka Maki, OD, MS, has been appointed associate dean for Academic Affairs at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) School of Optometry.  In this role, Dr. Maki will oversee academic programs and policies, curriculum development, and student academic progress as UTRGV prepares to launch its School of Optometry in fall 2027, pending accreditation. The program recently reached a key milestone with Stage 1 designation from the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education.

Dr. Maki previously served as associate professor and chief of the Binocular Vision and Vision Therapy Service at the University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry in San Antonio, Texas.