Alumni

PhD Molecular Medicine Graduate

My journey at the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics began in 2012, when I enrolled in the PhD programme in Molecular Medicine. In 2016, I completed my doctoral studies in the Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology Department of the CING. My research project, entitled “Nutrigenetic-Nutrimetabolomic Investigation of the Impact of the Mediterranean Diet on Breast Cancer Risk in Greek-Cypriot Women”, aimed to gain insights into the molecular mechanisms via which Mediterranean diet can exert its beneficial health effects. Within this project, I employed an integrative –omics approach, which combined both nutrigenetics and nutrimetabolomics, for probing the interactions between molecular and dietary components.  This work led to the generation of numerous novel results that were published in peer reviewed scientific journals. Most of all, my PhD journey provided me a wonderful opportunity to develop excellent organisational, management, communication and teamwork skills, gained through participations in international meetings, oral presentations, presentations’ prizes, publications, group work, laboratory work, presentations in media outlets and conduction of educational science activities and seminars to the general public. Throughout my years of PhD studies, I was fortunate to work in an inspiring environment that combined advanced research, academic training, and multidisciplinary collaboration, allowing me to deepen my scientific understanding, and develop strong analytical and technical skills, as well as valuable professional connections. After completing my PhD studies, I continued my career as a teaching lecturer at the Department of Life and Health Sciences of the University of Nicosia and as a postdoctoral researcher at the Medical School of the University of Cyprus, where I participated in the LIFE-MEDEA program and collected, managed and analyzed data from randomized control intervention studies, aiming to reduce exposure to air pollution and improve health outcomes. I also participated in various epidemiological studies in Cypriot adult primary ciliary dyskinesia patients and analyzed data from studies focusing on cardiorespiratory outcomes. In late 2019, I joined the Oxford Population Health (Nuffield Department of Population Health) of the University of Oxford as Epidemiologist.  My research was focused on the associations between lifestyle factors, omics-based biomarkers, and risk of chronic diseases in large, biobank prospective studies. In particular, I worked on assessing the associations of animal sourced foods with disease risk and on investigating the mechanisms underlying those associations with the use of biomarker data. This work formed part of the Wellcome Trust funded Livestock, Environment and People (LEAP) project at the University of Oxford. Currently, I am a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) cofund Fellow at the Medical School of the University of Cyprus. My research project titled “Clean Air for Rare MUcociliary Clearance dIsorders” (CARMUCI) aims to evaluate the impact of indoor air purification on respiratory health of children and adults with cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia in Cyprus, using a randomized, double-blind, cross-over, sham-controlled design.

Looking back, my time at the CING has shaped not only my professional trajectory but also my personal growth, offering me unique opportunities for hands-on research, exposure to international research and collaborations, and mentorship from dedicated scientists and educators who have greatly influenced my path. Throughout my professional career, I have been drawing daily on the scientific rigour, and problem-solving mindset that the CING has helped me to grow. To new students joining the CING, my advice is to remain curious, embrace challenges even when they seem daunting, seek opportunities to collaborate and learn from those around you, and make the most of the rich academic and research community you are now part of, as these experiences will stay with you and guide you long after your studies are complete.