'Change comes from persistence, collaboration and the courage to turn knowledge into action'

What attracted you to study at King’s?

King’s combined everything I was looking for: scientific excellence, cutting-edge facilities and a strong connection between research and medicine.

I was incredibly fortunate to receive a full £75,000 PhD scholarship, and I still remember how excited I was during my interview at the newly built James Black Centre. Seeing the exceptional proteomics facilities, among the most advanced at the time, and knowing I would be working next to King’s College Hospital with access to patient samples made the translational potential feel very real from the beginning.

What’s your favourite memory of your time at King’s?

My favourite memories are the long hours at the confocal microscope, often working late in the lab with some of my closest friends, completely absorbed in what we might discover. We would analyse images, debate results, laugh through the frustrations and imagine what the future might hold.

There was always this excitement that perhaps one day one of those experiments could contribute to a real breakthrough. That combination of friendship, curiosity and possibility is something I still carry with me.

After graduating, what was your plan?

My plan was to remain in research and keep pushing towards translational medicine. I continued with postdoctoral work in nanotechnology and oncology, initially seeing myself on an academic path.

Over time, I felt an increasing need to take promising science beyond publications and towards products that could make a tangible difference to patients.

What was the catalyst for your career as a biotech innovator?

The catalyst was the realisation that science has its greatest value when it can move beyond the laboratory and create something that genuinely improves people’s lives.

Returning to Cyprus during the financial crisis reinforced that even more strongly. Resources were limited, opportunities were uncertain and we had to think differently: to develop ideas with real scientific value, but also with a clear pathway to impact, sustainability and growth.

That mindset gradually pushed me from simply asking interesting scientific questions to asking how we could turn discoveries into solutions that patients, healthcare systems and society could actually benefit from.

You co-founded Theramir, Promed and RSL? What was the journey like from scientist to entrepreneur?

For me, science and entrepreneurship have always been deeply connected. I didn’t wake up one day and decide to become an entrepreneur. The companies grew from scientific questions and unmet clinical needs that we felt compelled to solve.

Theramir emerged from our work on microRNA-based cancer therapeutics, Promed from biomaterials and regenerative medicine, and RSL from the needs of patients whose skin is affected by cancer treatments.

The transition was challenging because scientists are trained to reduce risk, while entrepreneurs must learn to move forward despite uncertainty. I had to learn fundraising, intellectual property, manufacturing, regulation and leadership, while remaining scientifically rigorous.

Can you tell us about your work in cancer treatment and regenerative medicine?

At Theramir, we are developing a new class of microRNA-loaded extracellular-vesicle therapeutics for cancer. Our lead programme is in triple-negative breast cancer, with expansion into bladder and pancreatic cancer, and we are progressing towards GMP manufacturing and clinical development.

Through Promed Bioscience, we work with advanced collagen biomaterials for regenerative medicine, medical applications, organ bioprinting and customisable materials.

With RSL and our εὖSKIN® range, we translated oncology experience into evidence-based skin care for people with sensitive or treatment-compromised skin.

Although these companies operate in different areas, the principle is the same: improve the quality of life in patients, identify an unmet need, build strong science around it and translate that science into something useful.

You also act as a mentor…

Mentoring matters enormously to me because no career is built alone. I mentor young scientists, founders and women in STEM, particularly those trying to translate research into impact.

I try to be open about both the opportunities and the difficult parts of the journey, helping people build confidence without losing scientific integrity.

You’re a Global Winner in this year’s Study UK Alumni Awards. Was it a surprise?

It was an extraordinary surprise and a deeply emotional moment. To be selected as the Global Winner from such an international community of UK alumni was a huge honour.

But representing Cyprus made it even more meaningful. I see it as recognition of what can be built from a small country with global ambition.

Will this win help raise the profile of your work?

Absolutely. Recognition of this scale creates visibility not only for me, but for the science, teams and companies behind the work.

I hope it opens doors to collaborations, investment and international partnerships, while showing that globally relevant biotechnology and innovation can emerge from Cyprus and contribute meaningfully to healthcare worldwide.

Finally, what advice would you give to King’s students and alumni wanting to follow in your footsteps as change-makers?

Don’t wait until you feel completely ready. Build deep expertise, stay curious beyond your discipline and learn to communicate with people who think differently.

Most importantly, choose problems that genuinely matter. Change rarely comes from the safest path; it comes from persistence, collaboration and the courage to turn knowledge into action.