Hanna Dumanska is nominated in the Lab Heroes Awards - TM
Hanna Dumanska, Department of Neuronal Networks Physiology, Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology, National Academy of Science of Ukraine, Ukraine
"Hanna is an incredibly smart and creative senior researcher, devoted to studying the pathological substrates of glaucoma. She uses an originally-developed in-vitro model to recapitulate retinocollicular neurotransmission in health and disease where she applies pharmacological paradigms and performs electrophysiological recordings (her most loved technique – she is a champ!) to identify molecular and cellular signatures.
She approaches challenging scientific quests/dilemmas with grace, tenacity, and innovative methods, which have earned international recognition through awards. Hanna has an insatiable desire to learn more and is continuously enrolling in multidisciplinary courses and pursuing opportunities to challenge herself in her lab.
Apart from being a great scientist, she is a remarkable human being. I am so much in awe of her that I consider her a sister even though we have different parents – she has been a mentor, always interested in discussing science, helping with troubleshooting, inspiring me to pursue my ideas and instilling confidence and resilience. I have been growing so much with her.
Academia can be ridden with toxicity, greed and malevolence. Hanna defies that culture by never losing sight of human connection and moral values - she is an inspiring force who fosters enthusiasm for science among her peers and genuinely cares for their well-being both in and outside of the lab.
Importantly, she welcomes, treats, and teaches people with equity, making them feel valued as team members (and human beings!) rather than a burden. She respects and meets their needs to excel professionally and in their personal life.
Hanna's impact extends beyond the laboratory and reaches far and wide. Since Russia´s full-scale invasion and aggression of Ukraine, Hanna has been endlessly supporting her country whilst juggling her work in the lab and life as a mother, daughter and friend.
Despite facing adversity, she has been putting in a lot of effort to continue her research and achieve success. She doesn´t neglect her peers and tries to support them too – that´s Hanna, a beautiful person with a huge heart.
We all feel privileged to have you in our lives."