JOHNS CREEK, GA, May 31, 2023, John C. Phelan, PhD, has been included in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Leveraging more than 25 years of excellence in material development for biomedical devices, Dr. Phelan has earned distinction as the head of research and development for Clearlab SG Pte Ltd., a manufacturer of ophthalmic frames, lenses, and sunglass lenses. Charged with managing teams of chemists in both Singapore and South Korea, Dr. Phelan is primarily responsible for the design and development of cutting-edge contact lenses and lens care accessories, as well as testing to ensure the overall quality and safety of every product. Additional duties to his credit include securing premarket approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and assisting the finance and purchasing departments in estimating the cost of manufacturing new products.

Previously, Dr. Phelan distinguished himself for more than a decade at CIBA VISION and ALCON, where he served as lead scientist and contributed his expertise to the design and manufacture of novel contact lens materials, and as a presiding laboratory administrator. Throughout this time, his efforts led to the successful commercialization of the AIR OPTIX Individual contact lens, which was the world’s first lathed silicone hydrogel contact lens.

Prior to this role, Dr. Phelan worked as a senior scientist at the Wesley Jessen Corporation from 1996 until 2000, during which time he helped to develop the formulation process that led to the FreshLook UV-blocking contact lenses – the top-selling colored contact lens product in the world. In total, Dr. Phelan’s research has yielded 19 U.S. patents, including the Clearday BEYOND during his more recent contributions at Clearlab. Well-regarded for his accomplishments, he has been bestowed with numerous accolades and recognitions, such as the Wesley Jessen Enterprise Leadership Award in 2000, an Award for New Business Development, which honored his work with the Genesis Program in 2002, and a CIBA Vision Distinguished Performance Award in 2004.

To prepare for his professional journey, Dr. Phelan earned a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry from the State University of New York College at Potsdam in 1985. Following this achievement, he attained a Doctor of Philosophy in chemistry from the University of Vermont in 1991 and a Master of Science in polymer science from the University of Connecticut in 1996. Since then, he has continued his education with various postgraduate courses in the realm of polymer science, and in experimental design, mixture design for optimal formulations, and rheology. Dr. Phelan has also been certified in Design for Six Sigma, risk management, and design control, among other certifications to his credit.

In accounting for his success, Dr. Phelan largely attributes the quality of his education, as well as his alacrity in identifying and resolving problems as they emerge during his research. Looking toward the future, he aspires to retire from his corporate endeavors and focus on his work as the owner of a private consulting firm.