»30 um die 30«: Lara Teruel Enrico

The Leibniz Association is turning 30 — but instead of looking back, we’re looking ahead. To mark the anniversary, we’re speaking with researchers at the very beginning of their careers. What determines their attitude towards life? What are their experiences as early-career scientists — and how might their findings help shape a better world 30 years from now? In Episode 7, we hear from chemist Lara Luana Teruel Enrico, who is doing her PhD at the INM – Leibniz Institute for New Materials in Saarbrücken.

LEIBNIZ How would you explain your research topic to someone at a party?

LARA TERUEL ENRICO You know how frustrating it is when your contact lenses dry out your eyes, forcing you to constantly reach for eye drops? It’s so tedious, and skipping the drops isn’t an option because the discomfort is even worse. Now, imagine a contact lens that keeps your eyes moisturised all by itself. No drops, no reminders, just all-day comfort. That’s exactly what we are working on. Together with my amazing team, we are developing a new kind of contact lens that generates and delivers moisture directly to your eye continuously, so you can wear your contact lenses all day long without even noticing them. The secret? The lens contains tiny living biofactories, friendly microorganisms that produce all the good things your eyes need to stay healthy and comfortable. It’s a whole new way to think about eye care: effortless, automatic, and alive.

And what would you say to a colleague?

I’m working on a living self-lubricating contact lens as a sustainable platform for continuous moisturisation to the eye, within the broader framework of Living Therapeutic Materials. The idea is to embed engineered eye-commensal bacteria, basically living biofactories, into the lens. These bacteria are designed to produce a moisturising agent, such as hyaluronic acid, in-situ.

The hydrogel matrix of the lens plays a dual role: it supports the metabolic activity of the biofactories while also confining their growth. It’s permeable enough to allow the diffusion of nutrients and gases to sustain the cells, as well as larger molecules, like the moisturising agents.

What makes this system really promising is that it’s self-replenishing and potentially self-powered. The bacteria can continuously produce and deliver the moisturising agent, consuming nutrients either from the tear fluid or from the lens care solution. So, in theory, once the lens is in place, it could maintain delivery levels autonomously over extended periods.

What has been the best moment in your life as a researcher so far?

It’s hard to pick just one moment, I think for me it’s really about the accumulation of small, meaningful moments happening every day. It’s the sudden spark of an idea during a casual chat with a colleague, the relief when an experiment finally runs after hours of setup, the thrill of checking the results and realising … it actually worked! It’s sharing the joy when a friend defends their thesis or leaving a meeting with my supervisor feeling inspired and full of new ideas. Watching our project grow and take shape, while growing myself alongside it, has been incredibly rewarding. That everyday feeling of discovery, no matter how small, is what keeps me going. It’s a constant reminder of why I chose this path in the first place.

How could your research have made the world a little better in 30 years? (It's okay to dream big.)

In 30 years, I’d love to see a world where treating dry eye (and potentially many other eye conditions) is as simple as putting in your contact lenses each morning. You visit your ophthalmologist and receive a prescription not just for vision correction, but for a lens tailored to your specific needs. Whether it’s dryness, an infection, or a condition that currently requires painful injections or costly treatments, the lens takes care of it. It’s comfortable, it’s personalised, and it works quietly in the background while you go about your day.

One product with many possibilities, helping people with different needs and making eye treatments more accessible, more affordable, and more sustainable. That’s our dream. And we’re working hard to make it real. Because research shouldn’t stay in the lab. It should reach people, improve lives, and make the world a little better. And if I can play even a small part in that journey, I’ll consider myself fulfilled as a scientist.

In which era would you have liked to have been a scientist? Or is now the best time?

Honestly, I think now is a fascinating time to be a scientist. We have access to incredible technology, emerging fields, and the chance to collaborate globally, learn new languages, and share with people from all over the world on a daily basis. Sure, it’s fast-paced and sometimes overwhelming, but I wouldn’t trade today’s challenges for those of the past. It’s tough, but it’s exciting.

‘A life for science’ – could that be the subtitle of your biography one day? If not, what subtitle would you find appropriate?

I’d tweak it slightly to Chasing Curiosity. It’s how I approach not just science, but life in general. For me, science isn’t just a career, it’s a way of thinking, of asking questions and staying open to the unknown. I like to think I’m not just a scientist when I’m in the lab, but all the time. Curiosity doesn’t switch off, it’s part of how I experience the world.

When you meet people your age who do not work in science: What is the biggest difference between you?

Probably how they tend to compartmentalise their work, they leave it at the office and switch off when the day ends. In contrast, science often feels less like a job and more like a way of life, a mindset. When I talk to people working in other fields, I see how clearly they separate their work time from their personal time. For me, the boundaries are blurrier. I often think about problems, ideas or experiments outside the lab. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s definitely a different rhythm.

When you meet older researchers in your discipline, what is the biggest difference between you?

Experience. They have this incredible ability to see the bigger picture, anticipate challenges, spot opportunities and think ten steps ahead. It’s like they have this deep, intuitive sense of how things unfold and often know what’s coming long before it happens. I really admire that.

What quality do you consider most important for a career in science?

I’d say the right mixture of patience and persistence. In science, things fail all the time and if you’re serious about pursuing a scientific career, you must know you’ll face frustration daily. But stay stubborn and curious, don’t let it take you down, keep learning, and come back with a better question (or a stronger coffee). It’s what keeps things moving forward. Passion helps, sure, but persistence turns passion into progress.

How are you perceived as a scientist in society?

I think scientists are often stereotyped as very serious, rigid, stubborn people, maybe even a bit disconnected from everyday life. It’s not entirely wrong, we do take our work seriously, but it’s far from the whole picture. We can also be incredibly creative, passionate, and fun!

And how would you like to be perceived?

Trustworthy, reliable. I’d like to be seen as approachable and open. Someone who’s passionate about what she does and enjoys explaining it in a way that sparks other people’s curiosity too.

A still life on your desk?

Please complete the following sentences. You can express realistic wishes or let your imagination run wild. Sentence number 1: My work would be so much easier if ...

… those tip boxes would refill on their own T.T

I would like more of:

Lab banter!

If I could stop doing something right now, it would be ...

… spending hours buried in literature reviews.

Everyone should know that ...

… the lab is where magic becomes reality.

To set the record straight once and for all:

A PhD is a tough journey. Don’t just jump on it blindly unless you’re 100% committed.

What is your greatest uncertainty in relation to your career?

Probably where I’ll end up long-term and if I’d be able to balance that with my personal goals. The path isn’t as linear as it used to be, which is both exciting and nerve-wracking.

How do you manage to stay calm despite this?

I don’t! (kidding) I try to see that uncertainty as a space for opportunity. As long as I stay close to what excites me, I think I’ll find the right direction. It’s the formula I’ve used so far, and it brought me to the right places.

Do you sometimes dream about work? If so, are they pleasant dreams?

I usually can’t fully switch my brain off at night, so I often end up dreaming about work. It sounds a bit funny, but I’ve actually rehearsed presentations in my sleep or even come up with new experimental ideas. Sometimes it’s fun, but it mostly leans more toward stressful than productive.

Your favourite place to work?

Lab. Lab. Lab. Forever the lab.

A doodle during a meeting?

I don’t usually doodle, but I fidget A LOT. So, I keep this one always with me.

After waking up: How does your day start well?

A gentle rain in the morning would be the perfect start to my day.

What do you look forward to on a normal working day?

My morning coffee (a must). And later, lunch with my dear group.

What do you look forward to when your working day is over?

Just coming home to my person (my boyfriend) and spending some quality time together. Instant battery recharge.

A helpful snack for in between meals?

Mochi, cookies, chocolate.

A little escape from everyday (working) life that helps you recharge your batteries quickly?

Hands down… Anime!

What helps you come up with ideas?

I get a lot of inspiration from chats with my supervisor and bouncing ideas around with my lab mates. And also just pacing around the lab while listening to music.

What helps you stay focused?

Music (you’ll never see me without my headphones). And my Todoist app (life saver).

When do you forget everything else around you while you're working?

When I’m in the lab, music playing, fully in the zone and the rest of the world just fades out.