Christye Sisson Headshot

Christye Sisson

Director, School of Photographic Arts and Sciences; Gannett Endowed Professor

Dean’s Office
College of Art and Design
cpspph@rit.edu
585-475-7197
Office Location
GAN-2129

Christye Sisson

Director, School of Photographic Arts and Sciences; Gannett Endowed Professor

Dean’s Office
College of Art and Design

Education

BS, MS, Rochester Institute of Technology

Bio

Researcher and administrator in higher education in photography, with a background in photographic sciences and ophthalmic imaging. Professional clinical experience includes ophthalmic imaging in general ophthalmology and retina specialty settings, including fluorescein angiography, ICG angiography, fundus photography, slit lamp photography, optical coherence tomography, Ultra Widefield (UWF) retinal imaging, hand-held fundus imaging, and research imaging. 

Research includes color management and image quality in ophthalmic imaging, teleophthalmology, and image manipulation in media forensics.

As a tenured Professor in Photographic Sciences, professional educational experience includes technical, biomedical, scientific, and ophthalmic photography. Visiting Faculty and past Interim Director of Imaging at the Flaum Eye Institute at the University of Rochester Medical Center. 

Professional certification: Certified Retinal Angiographer (CRA) since 1997. Appointed Fellow of the Ophthalmic Photographers' Society in 2022.
 

cpspph@rit.edu
585-475-7197
Personal Links
Google Scholar
LinkedIn
Areas of Expertise
Photographic Sciences
Media Forensics
Ophthalmic Photography
Medical Photography
Photography

Select Scholarship

Invited Article/Publication
Sisson, Christye. "Artemis II crew brought a human eye and storytelling vision to the photos they took on their mission." The Conversation. (2026). Web.
Sisson, Christye. "I Create Manipulated Images and Videos – But Quality May Not Matter Much." The Conversation. (2019). Web.
Full Patent
Sisson, Christye. "Color Checker Device for a Fundus Imaging Camera." U.S. Patent 12336762B2. 24 Jun. 2025.
Katuwal, Gajendra, et al. "Automated Fundus Image Field Detection and Image Quality Assesment." U.S. Patent US 2015/0104087 A1. 22 Mar. 2018.
Published Conference Proceedings
Sisson, Christye. "Color Consistency in Fundus Photography: Development of an Imaging Standard." Proceedings of the Ophthalmic Photographer’s Society Annual Educational Meeting, October 2019. Ed. Ophthalmic Photographer's Society. San Francisco, CA: n.p., Web.
Katuwal, Gajendra, et al. "Automated Fundus Image Field Detection and Quality Assessment." Proceedings of the 2013 IEEE Western New York Image Processing Workshop. Ed. Nathan Cahill. Rochester, NY: n.p., 2013. Web.
Full Length Book
Sisson, Christye. Ophthalmic Imaging: Posterior Segment Imaging, Anterior Eye Photography, and Slit Lamp Biomicrography. 1st ed. New York, NY: Focal Press, 2017. Print.
Journal Editor
Sisson, Christye P., ed. Journal of Ophthalmic Photography. Nixa, Missouri: n.p., 2015. Print.
Provisional Patent
Sisson, Christye, et al. "Automated Fundus Image Field Detection and Quality Assessment." Patent 14/511936. 10 Oct. 2014.
Katuwal, Gajendra, et al. "Automated Fundus Image Field Detection and Quality Assessment." US Provisional Patent Application 61/889,282. 10 Oct. 2013.
Journal Paper
Sisson, Christye, et al. "Analysis of Color Consistency in Retinal Fundus Photography: Application of Color Management and Development of an Eye Model Standard." Analytical Cellular Pathology 2014. (2014): 2. Web.
Invited Keynote/Presentation
Sisson, Christye. "Color Variability Analysis in Fundus Photography." Summit on Color in Medical Imaging. International Color Consortium/Federal Food and Drug Administration. Silver Spring, MD. 8 May 2013. Conference Presentation.
Sisson, Christye. "Photographs as Scientific Data: A Case Study for Dermatological Imaging." BioCommunications Association Annual Educational Conference. BioCommunications Association. Bar Harbor, ME. 20 Jun. 2012. Conference Presentation.

Currently Teaching

PHAR-498
Photography Internship
1-6 Credits
The Photography Internship will provide students with the option to work in the photographic or visual communications field. Students may apply for internships to businesses based on the availability of positions and business job needs. Students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Internship Permission Form to enroll.
PHGR-698
MFA Photography Internship
1-3 Credits
The Photography Internship will provide students with the option to work in the photographic field. Students may apply for internships to businesses based on the availability of positions and business needs. Students must obtain permission of an instructor.
PHGR-887
Photography MFA Part-time Co-op
0 Credits
Cooperative Education will provide photography students with hands-on experience in their field, directly related to a student’s major with an established studio or related business. Students will need to apply for co-ops, and interview as part of the selection process, based on available positions posted by the Co-op and Career Services Office, or found through the students’ own research. In programs where co-op is a degree requirement, students must obtain permission of their program or graduate director prior to enrollment. Co-ops are typically paid work experience, and can be part-time (150-479 total hours within the term), or full-time (480+ hours within the term). Co-ops may be one or two consecutive terms - fall, spring, or summer – with department permission.
PHPS-403
Photographic Sciences Capstone II
3 Credits
Students will execute a major project proposed in the first course of the sequence: PS Capstone I. Projects may address subjects related to the photographic sciences or other relevant topics. Students will provide a progress report to the course coordinator at set intervals. Class will meet weekly to provide discussion and feedback on individual projects.
PHPS-498
Photography Internship
1-3 Credits
The photography internship will provide students with the option to work in the photographic or visual communications field. Students may apply for internships to businesses based on the availability of positions and business job needs. Students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Internship Permission Form to enroll. **Note: No more than 6 credits of internships can be applied towards their degree**
PHPS-546
Ophthalmic Imaging I
3 Credits
This is the first of a two-course series designed to investigate proper patient management and camera/photographic techniques required in contemporary ophthalmic photography and imaging. Diagnostic evaluation of ocular anatomy and physiology utilizing special cameras/equipment is examined and practiced. In addition to retinal fundus photography, students will demonstrate diagnostic medical imaging techniques such as fluorescein angiography, fundus autofluorescence, optical coherence tomography and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy. Retinal disease processes and recognition will also be combined with a working knowledge of ocular anatomy and physiology. The completion of this course and Ophthalmic Imaging II provide one year of residency credit toward the Ophthalmic Photographer’s Society’s professional certifications (Certified Retinal Angiographer and Optical Coherence Tomographer). ** Fee: A fee for an ocular exam is required**.
PHPS-599
Photography Independent Study
1-3 Credits
Photography independent study will provide students with the ability to study in a specialized area with an individual faculty member. Students, with the assistance of a faculty adviser will propose a course of study. Photography Independent Study students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Independent Study Permission Form to enroll. **Note: Students can only earn up to 6 credits of independent study towards completion of their degree**

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