Dr. Kyriaki Bakirtzi, M.Sc., Ph.D.
Dr. Kyriaki Bakirtzi is a Biologist, Biochemist and Molecular Biologist. Following her Master Degree awarded with High Honors, she moved to the Foundation for Research & Technology Hellas (FORTH) in Heraklion, Crete where she worked for the Department of Electronic Structure and Laser. Dr. Bakirtzi moved to the U.S. after being awarded a Full Scholarship to attend a Ph.D. program at the Boston University Medical School, under the supervision of Professor Konstantin Kandror in the field of Neuroscience. She graduated in 2009 with the highest impact factor publication record amongst her peers for 2009. Dr. Bakirtzi continued for a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the Department of Gastroenterology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, ranked "Best in the West" by U.S. News and World Report's annual survey of the best hospitals in America for nineteen consecutive years (to date). Her research focused on micro-RNAs, intercellular communication via exosomes and subcellular molecular signaling in relation to Colon Cancer, Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. In 2011 Dr. Bakirtzi’s research received the 3rd in rank World Award in the field of Gastroenterology. In 2014 Dr. Bakirtzi became a first level Assistant Project Scientist at the David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA and in 2015 was issued an honorary USA Green Card, sponsored and financed by UCLA as a “Scientist of Extraordinary Ability” (EB1A). In 2016, she was promoted to second level Assistant Project Scientist while she also served as the Project Leader at the Center for System Biomedicine, Division of Digestive Diseases, UCLA. In 2017, Dr. Bakirtzi’s research received the 1st in rank World Award in the field of Gastroenterology. From 2009 through 2017, Dr. Bakirtzi also won two Young Investigator awards and has received funding by the NIH and the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). She now is the Academic Program Coordinator for the Panhellenic Organization of Pharmaceutical Industry and the Scientific Director of ELPEN's Experimental Research & Training Center, the most important privately owned center for education and translational research in the Balkans, and among the ten most important in its category in Europe. In addition she is an Adjunct Faculty at the European University Cyprus Medical School. During the years she was active in research (2003-2017) Dr. Bakirtzi has 32 peer reviewed publications, she has established collaborations with esteemed scientists in four Continents and has been invited to lecture and train laboratories at institutes such as the Harvard School of Medicine, the Cleveland Clinic and the Mayo Clinic, as an acknowledged expert on two animal model protocols as well as the micro-vesicle isolation methods she has developed.
Mrs. Eleftheria Karampela, MSc
Eleftheria Karampela was born in Patras, Greece where she received her basic education. She studied in the Private Vocational Training Institute ‘SBIE’ specialized in ‘Medical and Biological Laboratories, Biochemical and Microbiological Laboratories’. Her diploma was recognized and qualified by the Hellenic Organization for Vocational Education and Training O.E.E.K. In 2006 she completed a six month course in ‘Project Management’ organized by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. In 2010 she successfully completed the course on Laboratory Animal Science – FELASA Category C’ organized by the ‘Alexander Fleming’ Biomedical Research Centre and the Laboratory Animal Science-Utrecht University. In 2011 she acquired her MSc in Management – University of Hertfordshire Business School – IST College. Since 1998 she is employed as Head, Research Protocols Management and Administration in Experimental, Educational & Research Centre ELPEN.
Mrs.Maria Karamperi, RN
Maria Karamperi was born in Kavala, Greece and received her basic education in Athens. Graduated as a Nurse from the Hellenic Red Cross School. She was employed as a nurse in the artificial kidney unit of "Hygeia" Hospital, from May 1994 until June 2007. Since July 2007 she is employed at the Experimental, Educational & Research Center ELPEN as Storage and Supply Specialist. She holds a FELASA Category C Certification.
Mrs. Kalliopi TSAREA, RN
Kalliopi Tsarea he received her basic education at the 1st Lyceum of Nicaea, Piraeus. She graduated in 2009 from the IEK AKMI with the degree of Surgical Nursing and received the Certification on Surgical Nursing from the Ministry of Education. She was trained on surgical nursing for two years at the "G.Gennimatas" General Hospital, the "Medical Center of Athens" and at the "Sotiria" General Hospital of Thoracic Diseases. From 2001 until 2007 she was employed at ELPEN Pharmaceutical in housekeeping services. Since 2007 she is employed at the Experimental, Educational & Research Center ELPEN as a Nurse. She has attended postgraduate courses and congresses and received the ALS certification of EEKAA as well as FELASA Category C certification. Since 2011 she is studying at the School of Humanities of the Hellenic Open University.
Mrs. Charikleia Vidopoulou
Charikleia Vidopoulou born in Athens, Greece and received her basic education in Nea Smyrni. She has basic knowledge of the English language. From 2003 to 2007 she was employed at the chain of supermarkets "Galaxias" in Marathonas, as a cashier and in customer service. Since 2007 Mrs Vidopoulou works for the “Housekeeping and Hospitality Services” at the Experimental, Educational & Research Center ELPEN.
Dr. Maria-Anna Tsoutsou, DVM
Dr. Maria-Anna Tsoutsou was born in Lamia, Greece where she also received her basic education. She graduated as a Veterinarian from the Veterinary Faculty of University of Thessaly, Greece. In 2018 she successfully completed the program “Laboratory Animal Science European Union Functions Course-FELASA Category C”. From 2018 to 2020, she was the Depute Designated Veterinarian and in charge of the Department of Scholarships, of the Experimental, Educational and Research Center of ELPEN S.A. Since 2021 she is the Designated Veterinarian and Coordinator of the Office of the CSO. Dr. Tsoutsou is also a Master Candidate in Laboratory Animal Science, at the RWTH University of Aachen, Germany.
Dr. Anna Gavra, DVM
Dr. Anna Gavra graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Thessaly, Greece, in February 2020. She has worked as a trainee in small animal practice with special interest in diagnostic imaging. In 2021 she successfully completed the FELASA accredited ‘Laboratory Animal Science European Union Functions Course’- Functions A, B, C, D. From November 2021, she is the Deputy Designated Veterinarian following her Internship at the Experimental, Educational and Research Center of ELPEN. She regularly attends scientific conferences and training seminars and she participated as a speaker at the 7th Panhellenic Veterinary Students’ Conference.
Mr. Stergios Gerakis
Stergios Gerakis received his basic education in Marathon, Greece. Since 2008 he is employed at the Experimental, Educational & Research Center ELPEN in the Department of Animal Models, where he is responsible for the care of swine, rabbits, rats and mice. He participates on a daily basis with the experimental and biomedical training seminars that take place at the Center. He has attended courses and congresses on laboratory animal science and holds a FELASA Category B Certification (University of Lausanne).
Mr. Nikolaos Psychalakis, MSc
Nikos Psychalakis was born in Athens, Greece where he also received his basic education. He graduated as a Biomedical Engineer from the Technological Institute of Athens, Greece. In 2013 he successfully completed the program “Laboratory Animal Science European Union Functions Course-FELASA Category C”. He was awarded his MSc in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, by the School of Medicine, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. In 2021 he successfully completed the 2 months duration online course “International and Export Trade”. Since 2021 he is attending the e-learning course “Project Management” of the National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. Since 2012 he is the Educational Programs Coordinator of the Educational Department of the Experimental, Educational and Research Center of ELPEN.
Mr. Ioannis Gkliatis, MSc
Born in Marathon, Greece where he received basic education, and he studied in the Technological Institute of Athens specializing in "Biomedical Engineering". In 2018 until 2021 he upgraded his degree at the University of West Attica and also obtained his Master Degree. In 2013 and 2014 he was employed at the Building Maintenance department of ELPEN. In 2015 and 2016 he was employed at the Medicine Production Department of ELPEN. In 2018 he successfully completed the "Laboratory Animal Science European Union Functions Course - FELASA Category B". Since May 2018 to December 2020, he was in charge of the Department of Administrative Support of the Experimental, Educational and Research Center of ELPEN S.A. Since January 2021 he is the Facility Maintenance, IT-Support Specialist and Support of the Office of the CSO.