Alumni

MSc Molecular Medicine and PhD Neuroscience Graduate

I completed my MSc in Molecular Medicine at The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics in 2015-2016, under the supervision of Dr. Eleni Zamba Papanicolaou and Dr. Christiana Demetriou of the Neuroepidemiology Department. My studies provided a strong foundation in molecular biology, neuroscience, translational medicine, and later inspired me to purse a PhD in Neuroscience in 2016-2020 under the supervision of Dr. Eleni Zamba Papanicolaou and Dr. Christiana Demetriou of the Neuroepidemiology Department and Prof. George Spyrou of the Bioinformatics Department, focusing on the “Neurodegenerative markers in HD: Association with Clinical Characteristics, Triplet Expansion, Phenoconversion and Mediterranean Diet Adherence”. 

I am currently engaged as an Associate Scientist in the Neuroepidemiology Department, where I, continue to explore the intersection of biological entities and neurodegenerative diseases. My research involves investigating the proteins, metabolites and lipids in neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington’s Disease for the identification of biomarkers aimed at improving understanding of neurological diseases and the mechanisms at play. 

My time at CING was instrumental in shaping my scientific and professional journey. The multidisciplinary environment, facilities and mentorship from leading researchers and clinicians gave me the skills and confidence to advance into independent research. The emphasis on both scientific rigor and clinical relevance at CING taught me how to bridge the gap between bedside, bench and computational approaches, a lesson that continues to guide my work today. 

My advice for new students would be, to embrace every learning opportunity and be proactive in engaging with your supervisors and peers. CING offers a rich, collaborative environment where you can learn not just from coursework, but also from the people around you. Stay curious, be open to challenges and remember that research is a journey of persistence and passion, every experiment, whether successful or not, brings you one step closer to discovery.