Mrs Ā Athanasia Chatziefstathiou | Ā Neuroscience | Best Researcher AwardĀ
PhD candidate at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Athanasia Chatziefstathiou, born on January 30, 1995, is a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Sciences, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. She specializes in molecular biology, with a focus on neurodegenerative diseases, particularly the identification and functional verification of new molecular targets in blood-cerebrospinal fluid and exosomes from affected patients. Her research is driven by a passion for unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying neurological disorders.
professional profile:
Education š
Athanasia Chatziefstathiou is a Ph.D. candidate at the Faculty of Sciences, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. Her doctoral research focuses on the “Identification and functional verification of new molecular targets of blood ā cerebrospinal fluid and exosomes from patients with neurodegenerative diseases.” She holds a Masterās degree (M.Sc.) in Applied Genetics and Biodiagnosis from the same institution, which she completed in 2020. Her masterās thesis was centered on the “Optimization of protein assays for the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases.” Prior to that, she earned her Bachelorās degree (B.Sc.) in Biology from the Faculty of Sciences, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in 2018.
Work Experience š¼
From 2024 to 2026, Athanasia is a key member of the Greek Research Team in the IKYDA Programme, which promotes scientific cooperation between Greece and Germany. Her research within this program explores “The role of neuronal exosomes in Prion pathology.” In 2021, she served as a Research Assistant at the Faculty of Sciences, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, where she contributed to the “Development of advanced biomarker technology for the differential diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease,” a project funded by the European Union and Greek national funds. Additionally, during the same year, she worked as a Supporting Teaching Assistant at Aristotle University, aiding in the “Supporting Teaching” initiative to enhance educational activities. She also gained international experience through an ERASMUS+ Internship in Germany, where she focused on optimizing protein assays for the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. In 2020, Athanasia contributed to monitoring the SARS-CoV-2 virus at the urban wastewater unit of EYATH, as a Research Assistant at Aristotle University. Her earlier experiences include internships at the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA) in 2019, where she studied pathways in Parkinson’s Disease, and at the Biomedical Sciences Research Center “Alexander Fleming” in 2018, where she used Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism for neurodegenerative diseases.
Skills & Expertise š§
Athanasia has developed a strong skill set in molecular biology techniques, particularly in the context of neurodegenerative disease research. She is proficient in optimizing protein assays and advancing biomarker technology. Her data analysis skills include the use of tools such as Tableau, MySQL, Python, and R. Additionally, she has expertise in using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism for neuroscience research.
Awards & Honors š
Her academic and research excellence has been recognized through several awards. From 2022 to 2025, she received the H.F.R.I. Scholarships for PhD Candidates, securing an Individual Fellowship for her doctoral studies. In 2023, she was honored with the 10th Hellenic Academy of Neuroimmunology award for the best research announcement.
Other Scientific Activities & Training š
Athanasia is committed to continuous learning and professional development. In 2024, she participated in the Data Science Summer School, where she honed her skills in Tableau, MySQL, and Python for data analysis. In 2021, she completed the 2nd LAS Core Modules Course organized by BSRC āAlexander Flemingā in line with P.D. 56/2013. Earlier, in 2020, she completed the “Data Science R Basics” course offered by DataCamp, further expanding her expertise in data science.
Conclusion
Athanasia Chatziefstathiou is a promising researcher with a strong academic background, extensive research experience, and notable achievements in the field of neurodegenerative diseases. Her focus on molecular biology, particularly in the context of neurodegenerative diagnostics, positions her as a valuable contributor to this field. Given her achievements, dedication, and ongoing research, Athanasia is a suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her work has the potential to significantly impact our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases, making her a deserving contender for this recognition.