Retina4Future - COST Action CA24105

Short Bio: I am Head of the Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy at Albanian University. I hold a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Medicine, Tirana, and have a background in both academia and the Albanian healthcare system. My research focuses on precision medicine, oncology, pharmacology, health technology assessment (HTA), artificial intelligence in healthcare, and medical education. I am particularly interested in translating research into clinical practice through interdisciplinary collaboration, data-driven approaches, and innovative healthcare technologies. As a Management Committee member of COST Action CA24105 (Retina4Future), I look forward to contributing my expertise in clinical research methodology, evidence synthesis, and international collaboration to support the development of innovative strategies for retinal disease diagnosis and therapy.

Short Bio: Diabetic Retinopathy: The Silent Disease That Threatens Vision Introduction Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the eyes, causing damage to the blood vessels in the retina and the macula. This condition can lead to serious vision problems and, eventually, complete vision loss if not treated properly. Aim of the Study This study aims to analyze the primary risk factors, pathological mechanisms, and current treatment options for diabetic retinopathy. It also seeks to emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and continuous monitoring in managing this disease. Methodology The study utilized clinical data and patient responses to assess the prevalence and treatment approaches to diabetic retinopathy. Diagnostic methods such as fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were considered key tools in identifying the disease in its early stages. Data were analyzed based on demographics, gender, age group, disease type, and treatment method.

Short Bio: I studied computer science at the University of Zagreb and completed my PhD in artificial intelligence (AI) for medical imaging at Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona. I subsequently joined the University of Iowa as a postdoc, where I started to specialize in AI for retinal image analysis. In 2015, I joined the Medical University of Vienna, where I advanced AI for retinal OCT. Since 2021, I have been leading the Christian Doppler Lab for Artificial Intelligence in Retina and in 2024, I took up an Assistant Professorship for Medical Image Computing at the AI Institute, Center for Medical Data Science. In 2024, I was awarded the prestigious ERC Consolidator Grant and in 2026, the Heidelberg Engineering Xtreme Research Award.

Short Bio: My current research interests are in the areas of protein sorting, cell polarity, biological membranes, lipid rafts, and nanostructures for targeting compounds. My scientific work focuses on studying the molecular mechanisms associated with hereditary retinal degenerations in humans, resulting from mutations in various genes.

Short Bio: Diana's main research work has been developed in the biomaterial's field for ocular treatment, namely in drug release, material's characterisation, surface modification and interaction with biomolecules. She has work on in vitro drug release ocular simulated conditions using microfluidics. She masters several advanced characterisation techniques, namely atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, rheometery, goniometery, quartz crystal microbalance, differential scanning calorimetry and mechanical testing. She also dominates several sterilisation procedures and related biological analysis (e.g., microbiological tests, sterility tests, cytotoxicity). She has an h-index of 14, published 27 peer-reviewed papers in high impact journals that have >620 citations (source: SCOPUS).

Short Bio: I investigate human retinal development and disease using stem cell–derived retinal organoids and advanced in vitro models. My research focuses on how light regulates retinal maturation, circadian biology, and neuronal function, with the aim of improving the physiological relevance of organoid models for disease modelling, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine. I combine human induced pluripotent stem cells, genome engineering, transcriptomics, imaging, electrophysiology, and bioengineering approaches to study retinal development and inherited retinal diseases. I am also interested in developing open-source technologies for retinal research.

Short Bio: I am an ophthalmologist and clinical geneticist whose scientific work focuses on inherited eye diseases, particularly inherited retinal dystrophies, optic neuropathies and paediatric eye disorders. My research combines detailed clinical phenotyping, multimodal retinal imaging, electrophysiology and molecular genetic analysis to improve diagnosis and clarify genotype–phenotype correlations. I have contributed to studies of rare disorders as well as collaborative research on the population-scale genetics of strabismus. My current research interests include albinism, the interpretation of rare and common genetic variants, and the translation of molecular findings into clinically meaningful genetic counselling and follow-up.