Press Release
In a distinguished ceremony held on May 11, 2026, the Annual Excellence Awards in Research and Teaching for 2026 were presented, honoring members of the academic and research staff who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to the advancement of knowledge and the delivery of high-quality education.
Through this long-established institution, European University Cyprus reaffirms its enduring commitment to fostering and rewarding excellence by presenting each year two Excellence Awards in Teaching and two Excellence Awards in Research to academics who stand out for their work, dedication, and impact.
The Teaching Excellence Awards are presented in memory of the late Dr. Mary Eleftheriadou, who served as Dean of the School of Sciences during the 2017/18 academic year and left a lasting legacy within the University’s academic community.
Teaching Excellence Award
Dr. Ioannis Alatsathianos is a Lecturer in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the Medical School of European University Cyprus– Frankfurt, where he also serves as Program Coordinator for the Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. Since 2016, he has been teaching and coordinating medical and biomedical courses in higher education, including Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Research Methods, and Medical Informatics. He holds a PhD from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School and has served as a Visiting Scientist at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. He integrates extensive research experience, clinical trial expertise, and innovative Artificial Intelligence tools into his teaching. His commitment to learning and teaching methods is aimed at promoting academic excellence and equipping the next generation of students with the scientific skills needed to shape the future.
Teaching Excellence Award
Dr. Konstantinos Drosos is a Lecturer in the Speech and Language Therapy Degree Program at European University Cyprus, specializing in Acoustic Processing and Language Development, and serves as Director of the University’s Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic. He has contributed extensively to the writing and editing of scientific textbooks and has published in international peer-reviewed journals. With substantial teaching, clinical, and research experience in speech, language, and communication disorders, he places particular emphasis on student education and clinical supervision. His work combines evidence-based scientific knowledge with practical clinical application, promoting innovation and quality in the teaching of speech-language pathology.
The Teaching Excellence Awards were presented by Dr. Christoforos Chatzikyprianou, Chairman of the Council and Chief Executive Officer of European University Cyprus; Professor Konstantinos N. Fellas, Senior Vice Rector of the University of Nicosia and President of the Cyprus National Bioethics Committee; Professor Andreas Efstathiou, Rector of European University Cyprus; and last year’s recipient of the Teaching Excellence Award, Dr. Eleni Mousi, Associate Professor in the Department of Life Sciences.
In the area of Research, awards were presented in the categories of Emerging Woman Researcher, Early Career Researcher, and Distinguished Researcher.
Emerging Woman Researcher Award
Dr. Isakovic holds a PhD in Basic Medical Sciences and is currently pursuing a second PhD in Experimental Elementary Particle Physics. She is a Lecturer and Acting Vice Chairperson of the Department of Medicine at European University Cyprus Frankfurt, as well as Chief Executive Officer of EMHANCE.
Her research focuses on experimental and computational studies of electromagnetic fields in the nervous system and their relationship to neuroimmune mechanisms, including microglia–astrocyte crosstalk, with applications in translational neurotechnology.
She has authored 16 Scopus-indexed publications, holds a patent for a therapeutic device based on electromagnetic fields, has secured three research grants—two national and one European—and has received several distinctions, including the JESH fellowship from the Austrian Academy of Sciences.
Early Career Researcher Award
Dr. Konstantinos Giannakou is an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at European University Cyprus. Since completing his PhD in 2019, he has published more than 90 articles in international scientific journals, demonstrating an exceptional level of productivity for his career stage. His work has achieved significant international impact and has contributed to clinical guidelines.
He has shown strong academic leadership, frequently serving as senior author and actively supervising doctoral and postgraduate students, while participating in European research projects. His research interests focus on the epidemiology of chronic diseases and lifestyle-related health determinants, with particular emphasis on oncological, metabolic, and renal diseases, generating meaningful impact on public health.
The Research Excellence Awards were presented by Ms. Loukia Polygerinou, Director of Human Resources at European University Cyprus; Mr. Demetris Skourides, Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology of the Republic of Cyprus; and last year’s research award recipients, Dr. Chrystalla Antoniou and Dr. Panoraia Siafaka, both Assistant Professors in the Department of Life Sciences at the University.
Through the Annual Excellence Awards in Research and Teaching, European University Cyprus recognizes and celebrates members of its academic community who, through teaching, research, and innovation, make a substantial contribution to scientific progress and to the education of the next generation of leaders.
Committed to its strategic vision of academic excellence and internationalization, the University continues to invest in a dynamic environment that fosters creativity, scientific innovation, and research with meaningful societal impact.
As one of the leading universities in the region, European University Cyprus continues to set high standards in higher education, strengthening the international presence of Cypriot academia and cultivating a culture of excellence that inspires the next generation of scientists, researchers, and professionals.
