We are delighted to announce that Shaban Demirel, OD, PhD, FAAO, FARVO, has accepted the permanent role as Vice President of the Legacy Research Institute (LRI).

Shaban completed optometry school at The University of Melbourne, Department of Optometry, in 1989. He then commenced graduate work at the same institution and completed his PhD in 1995. Upon completing his PhD, he completed a two-year post-doctoral fellowship at the University of California, Davis. After completing this Fellowship, he was appointed Assistant Professor of Optometry at Indiana University.

Shaban has been part of LRI for many years; after moving to Portland in 2002 he joined Legacy as an assistant scientist at the Devers Eye Institute. He was promoted to associate scientist within Devers in 2012. In 2019, Shaban became the director of Clinical and Outcomes Research at Legacy Health with leadership over the Outcomes Research and Clinical Trials teams.

He has led LRI for the last two years in an interim capacity, an in that role he demonstrated commitment to moving LRI forward with continued growth in National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other grant funding, while optimizing the structure to continue success. Moving him into the role permanently was the logical step to ensure continued stability and success. 

Although he was born in the United Kingdom and grew up in Melbourne, Australia, Shaban feels at home in Portland and recently celebrated his 28th anniversary of moving to the United States. When not at work, Shaban enjoys watching Australian Rules Football, pottering around the garden, learning Turkish, and spending time with his wife and dog.

We look forward to continuing to work with Shaban as he helps shape Legacy Research Institute and Legacy Health now and into the future.