18 mins
Oct 22, 2025
How to Verify Supplement Quality: Interview with Futureproof Extra on Newstalk
In a special interview on WLR FM with Damien Tiernan, Prof. John Nolan was joined by award-winning film director Wayne Chesler and scientific illustrator Joanna Corte-Real to discuss A Vision for Vision — a new documentary exploring the science of eye and brain health through research, storytelling and lived experience.
Recorded ahead of the documentary’s private screenings in Carrick-on-Suir and Waterford, the conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes insight into how the film came together and why its message matters beyond the scientific community.
Prof. Nolan explains how A Vision for Vision grew from over 25 years of research at the Nutrition Research Centre Ireland (NRCI), based at South East Technological University (SETU). While scientific discovery often lives in academic journals, the motivation behind the documentary was to communicate complex research in a way that resonates with the wider public — including patients, clinicians, pharmacists and families.
The film traces research spanning eye health, brain health, nutrition and ageing, highlighting how discoveries in one area can lead to unexpected breakthroughs in another.
Director Wayne Chesler shared how the project began with a chance meeting at a conference in the United States and evolved into a three-year international journey. Filming took place across Mexico, Europe, Asia, United Kingdom and the United States, capturing the origins of key nutrients, the people behind the science and the human stories woven through the research.
Rather than following a rigid plan, the documentary developed organically — shaped by new opportunities, emerging storylines and the realities of scientific discovery.
Scientific illustrator Joanna Corte-Real spoke about the importance of visual storytelling in translating complex concepts without oversimplifying them. Through illustration and motion graphics, the film bridges the gap between detailed research and audience understanding — allowing viewers to engage with the science without needing a technical background.
This balance between accuracy and accessibility is central to the film’s approach.
At its core, A Vision for Vision is about curiosity and hope — exploring how micronutrients in our food influence human health over a lifetime. It offers a powerful message: ageing does not have to mean decline. With the right nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, we can live not just longer, but healthier, more active lives.
The documentary reflects a growing recognition that discovery alone is not enough; communicating science clearly and responsibly to society is now an essential part of research.
The interview offers a thoughtful exploration of how collaboration between scientists, filmmakers and artists can bring important research into public conversation — creating awareness, understanding and engagement beyond the laboratory.
