Maria Emfietzoglou studies at Harvard what happens in our eyes during the earliest, “invisible” stages of age-related macular degeneration. Vision loss does not always occur suddenly. In many retinal diseases, damage begins quietly, years before a person realizes that something is wrong. This early—yet critical—phase is the focus of the work of Maria Emfietzoglou, MD, a research fellow at Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School in Boston. The Greek physician works under the guidance of Professor Demetrios Vavvas and studies age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of irreversible central vision loss in older adults. The disease affects essential everyday activities such as reading, driving, and recognizing faces, significantly limiting independence and quality of life. It is estimated that more than 190 million people worldwide are currently living with some form of AMD—a number that continues to rise as the population ages. Maria Emfietzoglou’s research focuses on fundamental cellular mechanisms that help maintain the health of retinal cells. Of particular interest is the protein LAMP2, which plays a key role in lysosomal processes—the cell’s internal “waste-disposal system.” When this system does not function properly, unwanted or harmful byproducts can accumulate and, over time, lead to cellular damage and tissue degeneration. “Our goal is to understand what changes very early on, before vision is lost,” she explains. “If we can identify these first steps, we may—potentially—be able to design earlier and more effective therapies.” Dr. Emfietzoglou graduated with top honors from the University of Ioannina Medical School and went on to pursue research training at the University of Oxford, with a focus on clinical research and epidemiology. Her work has been recognized through prestigious, international fellowships and competitive research support, and her publications have appeared inrespected scientific journals. Today, she divides her time between laboratory research and the analysis of advanced retinal imaging data, with the aim of contributing to earlier, more targeted, and more effective approaches to protecting vision. Διαβάστε περισσότερα στο iefimerida.gr