Luminita Paraoan

About Luminita Paraoan

Professor of Molecular Cell Biology and Leader of the Ocular Molecular Biology and Mechanisms of Disease Group, Eye and Vision Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the University of Liverpool, UK

What is your proudest professional achievement?

I am really lucky to find it difficult to choose just one! Discoveries in science – from the “wow” moment of first recognizing the dramatic and unexpected change in localization of a disease variant in live cells to the identification of new interorganelle contacts regulating cell survival. A special place is also taken by the rewarding work, interactions, and talks with inspiring students, fellows and collaborators that I had over the years. I am also very proud to have been elected Vice-President (Europe) of ISER and recognized as a Gold Fellow by ARVO.

Outside of ophthalmology, what makes you happy?

Laughing, skiing, playing tennis, talking art, and planning adventure holidays with my three grown-up sons – and being teased by them and by my husband that they are better cooks than I am. Good coffee and dark chocolate are definitely on the list, too.

What can be done to make the field more diverse? 

Celebrate true achievements, praise talent, teach well, and give selfless support.