Dan Harvitt graduated from UC Berkeley with both a PhD in Physiological Optics (1997) and and an OD degree (2000). He is a New Jersey native, and received his undergraduate degree in Optics Engineering from the University of Rochester in New York.
Dr. Harvitt’s graduate research was in the laboratory of Joe Bonanno (UCB OD class of 1981, PhD class of 1987). Together they developed a non-invasive measurement of tear oxygen levels with contact lens wear in order to better understand corneal oxygen metabolism with daily and overnight contact lens wear.
After Dr. Harvitt completed his OD degree, he joined the Berkeley faculty and also worked in private practice and public health settings, as well as in the contact lens industry. At Berkeley, Dr. Harvitt has taught first year optics, ophthalmic optics, low vision optics, primary care clinic, and first year pre-clinic laboratory.
Dr. Harvitt remains convinced that his optometry class of 2000 was the best class ever, or at least it had the most fun. Although he has recently moved to Idaho, he’s excited about the future of Berkeley Optometry and the clinical care and research that we continue to produce.