Ulster University's Professor Tara Moore has been named in the Top 100 Women in Ophthalmology Power List 2021, a publication for professionals in all areas of ophthalmic clinical practice (medical care for the eyes).
Prof Moore holds a chair at the university in Personalised Medicine and is Chief of Research & Development at Avellino USA, a global precision medicine firm.
Her research team at Ulster are developing gene therapies for genetic eye disease. Their work has been distributed worldwide through guest lectures, workshops and internationally co-authored peer reviewed publications.
The Ophthalmologist's 2021 Power List looks to address gender inequality in ophthalmology by recognising the top 100 women and showcasing the powerful impact of leading female professionals.
In the past, The Power List has been dominated by men. Women made up only 17% of the list in 2020, with Prof Moore being one of the women mentioned then too.
RELATED: Tech Trailblazers: Professor Tara Moore
Prof Moore is founder of the only Royal College of Ophthalmologists endorsed and co-badged Pg Diploma in Cataract and Refractive Surgery. This course has now ensured many hundreds of eye surgeons worldwide are educated to the highest of standards in preparation for both laser and lens extraction eye surgery.
Prof Moore's contribution to health has previously been recognised by the prestigious WISE Award, the Winston Churchill Fellowship and in 2020, she received the THE Research Supervisor of the Year Award, alongside The Royal Irish Academy and American Chambers of Commerce US-Ireland Research Innovation Award.
On her inclusion in the Top 100 power list, Prof Tara Moore said: “Celebrating women, or indeed, any male or female scientist in this way is important as it brings visibility to the great career opportunities in ophthalmology providing role models to encourage others to follow and help develop innovative diagnostics and therapeutics that will help change the life of many patients.
"When making career choices, girls still tend to avoid science and technology subjects, which contribute to the knowledge base which allows development of innovative treatments we take for granted today, like laser eye surgery and anti-VEGF treatments for retinal eye disease.”
RELATED: Dr Tara Moore and three NI firms awarded for innovative responses to COVID-19
On her proudest professional moment to date, she added: “I am most proud of the legacy of research talent my team at Ulster University has produced over the last decade in the area of ophthalmology and genetics.
"One of the most rewarding aspects of my role as a researcher, teacher, and innovator toggling academia and industry is to watch this next generation of researchers and influencers grow in their ability.
"So many have gone on to fantastic destination employment in world-leading research institutes globally. I look forward to them one day returning to Ulster and bringing home even more expertise and talent.”
You can see Tara’s profile on The Ophthalmologist’s Power List: Top 100 Women in Ophthalmology at this link.
