AspireMED Co-Founders & Research Mentors
Eleftherios T. Beltsios, MD
Georgios Mavrovounis,
MD, PhD (c)
Co-Founder and Research Mentor
Inspirator, Head and Co-Founder
Antonis Adamou, MD
Co-Founder and Research Mentor
AspireMED Supervisors
Prof. Dr.med
Panagiotis Papanagiotou, MD
AspireMED Supervisor - Neuroradiology
Marilena Melas, MSc, PhD
AspireMED Supervisor - Genetics
Prof. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, MD, PhD
AspireMED Supervisor - Thoracic Surgery
Prof. Ioannis Pantazopoulos,
MD, MSc, PhD
AspireMED Supervisor - Emergency Medicine
Prof. Emmanouil Saloustros MD, D(Med)Sc
AspireMED Supervisor - Oncology
Prof. Nikolaos Christodoulou MD, MSc, PhD
AspireMED Supervisor - Psychiatry
AspireMED Students
My name is Marina Kontou and I am a second-year medical student at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly in Greece.
I am highly aspired to engage myself in scientific research and collaborate with other scientists who aim to promote medical research and development. Personally, I have always been fascinated by the way the human brain works and how despite its materialistic nature, it gives identity and perception to a human being. Therefore, my main interests focus on the neuroscience field, with emphasis on neurodegenerative diseases and genetics.
During the training in AspireMED, I have obtained fundamental knowledge about research methodology, and I had the chance to gather hands-on experience on literature-based research projects. As a member of the AspireMED group, I anticipate working on various research projects, expanding my knowledge on the medical field, and advancing my research skills.
Marina Kontou
My name is Marina Kontou and I am a medical student at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly in Greece.
I am highly aspired to engage myself in scientific research and collaborate with other scientists who aim to promote medical research and development. Personally, I have always been fascinated by the way the human brain works and how despite its materialistic nature, it gives identity and perception to a human being. Therefore, my main interests focus on the neuroscience field, with emphasis on neurodegenerative diseases and genetics.
During the training in AspireMED, I have obtained fundamental knowledge about research methodology, and I had the chance to gather hands-on experience on literature-based research projects. As a member of the AspireMED group, I anticipate working on various research projects, expanding my knowledge in the medical field, and advancing my research skills.
My name is Marina Kontou and I am a second-year medical student at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly in Greece.
I am highly aspired to engage myself in scientific research and collaborate with other scientists who aim to promote medical research and development. Personally, I have always been fascinated by the way the human brain works and how despite its materialistic nature, it gives identity and perception to a human being. Therefore, my main interests focus on the neuroscience field, with emphasis on neurodegenerative diseases and genetics.
During the training in AspireMED, I have obtained fundamental knowledge about research methodology, and I had the chance to gather hands-on experience on literature-based research projects. As a member of the AspireMED group, I anticipate working on various research projects, expanding my knowledge on the medical field, and advancing my research skills.
Ioannis Belios, MD, PhD(c)
My name is Ioannis Belios and I am a medical graduate of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Greece. I currently work as a research fellow and doctoral student at the Universitätsklinikum Hamburg Eppendorf in Hamburg, Germany.
I chose to become a physician because I love to help people overcome important problems, as health problems are. Throughout my medical studies, the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases fascinated me the most. Therefore, my goal is to pursue a training spot in a cardiology residency program.
When I heard for the first time about the AspireMED group, I found the whole project a brilliant idea. Collaborating with both young colleagues and faculty members from various institutions around the globe is a unique experience. Moreover, I believe that the knowledge and skills in research methodology that I acquired throughout my training in AspireMED will facilitate my future scientific and career endeavors. What fascinates me the most towards my involvement in AspireMED is the willingness of mentors to teach and assist the junior members of the team in the most efficient way. Through my involvement in the AspireMED group, I am looking forward to expanding my knowledge as well as to working on interesting and innovative research projects.
My name is Marina Kontou and I am a second-year medical student at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly in Greece.
I am highly aspired to engage myself in scientific research and collaborate with other scientists who aim to promote medical research and development. Personally, I have always been fascinated by the way the human brain works and how despite its materialistic nature, it gives identity and perception to a human being. Therefore, my main interests focus on the neuroscience field, with emphasis on neurodegenerative diseases and genetics.
During the training in AspireMED, I have obtained fundamental knowledge about research methodology, and I had the chance to gather hands-on experience on literature-based research projects. As a member of the AspireMED group, I anticipate working on various research projects, expanding my knowledge on the medical field, and advancing my research skills.
Androniki Papadopoulou
My name is Androniki Papadopoulou and I am a medical student at the faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly in Greece.
Ι am highly aspired to engage myself in scientific research and collaborate with other scientists. From the first years of my studies, I was excited by cardiac anatomy and physiology, that maintains the whole body in life. Therefore, my main interests focus on the cardiovascular field, with emphasis on interventional cardiology.
During my training in AspireMED, I have obtained useful knowledge about research methodology, remaining enthusiastic for new projects. As a member of the AspireMED group, I anticipate advancing my research skills and collaborating with other scientists in various research projects.
My name is Marina Kontou and I am a second-year medical student at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly in Greece.
I am highly aspired to engage myself in scientific research and collaborate with other scientists who aim to promote medical research and development. Personally, I have always been fascinated by the way the human brain works and how despite its materialistic nature, it gives identity and perception to a human being. Therefore, my main interests focus on the neuroscience field, with emphasis on neurodegenerative diseases and genetics.
During the training in AspireMED, I have obtained fundamental knowledge about research methodology, and I had the chance to gather hands-on experience on literature-based research projects. As a member of the AspireMED group, I anticipate working on various research projects, expanding my knowledge on the medical field, and advancing my research skills.
Athina Drakaki
My name is Athina Drakaki and I am a medical student at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly.
I am highly motivated to involve myself in research, so I can contribute to medical progress and change. Believing in the holistic nature of medicine, I consider research to be a fundamental part of a doctor’s offer. During my studies, I find myself interested in many different aspects and fields of medicine, particularly when it comes to anesthesiology. Also, I have always been fascinated in evolving my soft skills and adopting a human-centered patient approach, as a future healthcare provider.
While being an AspireMED trainee, I have obtained fundamental knowledge about the qualities of research methodology. Ι expect to apply the knowledge I gained in practice, contribute to research projects, and evolve my skills.
My name is Marina Kontou and I am a second-year medical student at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly in Greece.
I am highly aspired to engage myself in scientific research and collaborate with other scientists who aim to promote medical research and development. Personally, I have always been fascinated by the way the human brain works and how despite its materialistic nature, it gives identity and perception to a human being. Therefore, my main interests focus on the neuroscience field, with emphasis on neurodegenerative diseases and genetics.
During the training in AspireMED, I have obtained fundamental knowledge about research methodology, and I had the chance to gather hands-on experience on literature-based research projects. As a member of the AspireMED group, I anticipate working on various research projects, expanding my knowledge on the medical field, and advancing my research skills.
Ioannis Boutsikos, MD
My name is Ioannis Boutsikos and I am an MD graduate of the European University Cyprus.
I am a firm believer that involvement in Research should be a privilege for all undergraduate medical students, irrespectively of their year of studies. Considering that as a dogma for myself, I was involved in various literature-based research projects and had clinical and research externships in Brown University, USA and University of Oxford, UK. As far as my fields of interest are concerned, I have always been fascinated by the cardiovascular system aspiring to have a career in Cardiology with a special focus on cardiac arrest, cardiac arrhythmias and Electrophysiology.
Recently, I became a member of the AspireMED family where Meritocracy and Team-based work is the primary goal. Thus, I anticipate to work with other medical students and collaborate on different projects.
My name is Marina Kontou and I am a second-year medical student at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly in Greece.
I am highly aspired to engage myself in scientific research and collaborate with other scientists who aim to promote medical research and development. Personally, I have always been fascinated by the way the human brain works and how despite its materialistic nature, it gives identity and perception to a human being. Therefore, my main interests focus on the neuroscience field, with emphasis on neurodegenerative diseases and genetics.
During the training in AspireMED, I have obtained fundamental knowledge about research methodology, and I had the chance to gather hands-on experience on literature-based research projects. As a member of the AspireMED group, I anticipate working on various research projects, expanding my knowledge on the medical field, and advancing my research skills.
Konstantinos Koumarelas
My name is Konstantinos Eleftherios Koumarelas and I am a medical student at Medical School of Larissa, University of Thessaly, Greece.
The variety of subjects and seminars I attended throughout my studies have helped me cultivate my interest in molecular biology and autoimmune diseases. The way some malfunctions, translocations, or even epigenetic modifications affect gene expression of immune cells and trigger autoimmune diseases has always fascinated me. In order to delve deeper into these fields, I observed experiments in the Molecular Biology research lab of our Department.
Joining the training program of AspireMED helped me acquire basic research methodology knowledge and academic writing. As a member of the AspireMED research group my aim is to sharpen my skills and fulfill my goals.
My name is Marina Kontou and I am a second-year medical student at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly in Greece.
I am highly aspired to engage myself in scientific research and collaborate with other scientists who aim to promote medical research and development. Personally, I have always been fascinated by the way the human brain works and how despite its materialistic nature, it gives identity and perception to a human being. Therefore, my main interests focus on the neuroscience field, with emphasis on neurodegenerative diseases and genetics.
During the training in AspireMED, I have obtained fundamental knowledge about research methodology, and I had the chance to gather hands-on experience on literature-based research projects. As a member of the AspireMED group, I anticipate working on various research projects, expanding my knowledge on the medical field, and advancing my research skills.
Angelina Bania
I am Angelina Bania, a medical student from the University of Patras with a focus on Molecular and Clinical Oncology, currently involved in biomedical laboratory research and teaching within my institution.
The era of Precision Medicine calls for the development of personalized treatment strategies which in turn require a better understanding of cancer pathophysiology. In this context, the integration of basic, translational and clinical research is necessary to shape the foundations of clinical practice and improve patient care.
In a setting where research opportunities for medical students are scarce, AspireMED is offering a space to explore my areas of interest and gain early experience in academic writing, which represent invaluable skills in my path as a future physician-scientist.
My name is Marina Kontou and I am a second-year medical student at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly in Greece.
I am highly aspired to engage myself in scientific research and collaborate with other scientists who aim to promote medical research and development. Personally, I have always been fascinated by the way the human brain works and how despite its materialistic nature, it gives identity and perception to a human being. Therefore, my main interests focus on the neuroscience field, with emphasis on neurodegenerative diseases and genetics.
During the training in AspireMED, I have obtained fundamental knowledge about research methodology, and I had the chance to gather hands-on experience on literature-based research projects. As a member of the AspireMED group, I anticipate working on various research projects, expanding my knowledge on the medical field, and advancing my research skills.
Konstantina Papageorgiou
My name is Konstantina Papageorgiou and I am medical student at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly Greece. I’m really motivated to holistically learn and work on research and try to transmit this knowledge to other passionate medical students. I’m highly interested in education, the different ways one can learn and how inclusive learning experiences can be designed. I aspire to work professionally on emergency medicine in combination with an academic career focusing on medical education. During the AspireMed Training, I’ve been provided with and practised new knowledge about research methodology. As a member of the AspireMed team I expect to be part of research projects, get inspired by the people I'll work with and advance my research skills.
My name is Marina Kontou and I am a second-year medical student at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly in Greece.
I am highly aspired to engage myself in scientific research and collaborate with other scientists who aim to promote medical research and development. Personally, I have always been fascinated by the way the human brain works and how despite its materialistic nature, it gives identity and perception to a human being. Therefore, my main interests focus on the neuroscience field, with emphasis on neurodegenerative diseases and genetics.
During the training in AspireMED, I have obtained fundamental knowledge about research methodology, and I had the chance to gather hands-on experience on literature-based research projects. As a member of the AspireMED group, I anticipate working on various research projects, expanding my knowledge on the medical field, and advancing my research skills.
Vasilis Papadoulis
My name is Vasilis Papadoulis and I am a fifth-year medical student at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly.
I wish to be highly engaged in medical research and collaborate with other researchers in order to further advance the collective medical knowledge. The medical field I am most interested in is neurology and more specifically the cognitive and behavioral neuroscience. I was always fascinated by the neural substrates that underlie our mental processes and how these processes are disrupted in neurological disorders.
One step towards this goal was joining the AspireMed Team, in which we are educated on research methodology and the fundamental processes of literature-based research. I see this opportunity as the springboard to further engagement with research procedures as well as to be capable of educating other young aspiring researchers.
My name is Marina Kontou and I am a second-year medical student at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly in Greece.
I am highly aspired to engage myself in scientific research and collaborate with other scientists who aim to promote medical research and development. Personally, I have always been fascinated by the way the human brain works and how despite its materialistic nature, it gives identity and perception to a human being. Therefore, my main interests focus on the neuroscience field, with emphasis on neurodegenerative diseases and genetics.
During the training in AspireMED, I have obtained fundamental knowledge about research methodology, and I had the chance to gather hands-on experience on literature-based research projects. As a member of the AspireMED group, I anticipate working on various research projects, expanding my knowledge on the medical field, and advancing my research skills.
Konstantinos Pitsikakis
My name is Konstantinos Pitsikakis and I am a medical student at the University of Crete.
I firmly believe that researchers make better clinicians, therefore research methodology training and experience is important for the future generation of clinicals.
Personally, I find the cardiovascular system really fascinating and interesting. Its importance, mechanisms, and its adaptability caught my attention and interest since the very beginning of my studies.
AspireMED gave me the opportunity to meet and collaborate with other medical students and young doctors, gain valuable knowledge about secondary research, and also participate in various research projects.
My name is Marina Kontou and I am a second-year medical student at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly in Greece.
I am highly aspired to engage myself in scientific research and collaborate with other scientists who aim to promote medical research and development. Personally, I have always been fascinated by the way the human brain works and how despite its materialistic nature, it gives identity and perception to a human being. Therefore, my main interests focus on the neuroscience field, with emphasis on neurodegenerative diseases and genetics.
During the training in AspireMED, I have obtained fundamental knowledge about research methodology, and I had the chance to gather hands-on experience on literature-based research projects. As a member of the AspireMED group, I anticipate working on various research projects, expanding my knowledge on the medical field, and advancing my research skills.
Androniki Gkana
My name is Androniki Gkana, I’m a medical student at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly in Greece. I have always had an interest in the sciences and research. I chose the medical profession because I wanted to study the physiology and pathophysiology of the human body. Throughout my studies I have developed an interest in the fields of Radiology and Otorhinolaryngology. I believe that research and scientific discoveries can help us tackle the current community health problems, thus allowing us to become increasingly accurate and efficient physicians. As an AspireMED trainee, I had the chance to learn more about the medical research methodology and interact with colleagues with similar interests and concerns. As a member of the AspireMED group, I have been able to participate in research projects and advance my knowledge and skills.
My name is Marina Kontou and I am a second-year medical student at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly in Greece.
I am highly aspired to engage myself in scientific research and collaborate with other scientists who aim to promote medical research and development. Personally, I have always been fascinated by the way the human brain works and how despite its materialistic nature, it gives identity and perception to a human being. Therefore, my main interests focus on the neuroscience field, with emphasis on neurodegenerative diseases and genetics.
During the training in AspireMED, I have obtained fundamental knowledge about research methodology, and I had the chance to gather hands-on experience on literature-based research projects. As a member of the AspireMED group, I anticipate working on various research projects, expanding my knowledge on the medical field, and advancing my research skills.
Marina Nektaria Kouliou
My name is Marina Nektaria Kouliou and I’m a medical student in the Medical Faculty of University of Thessaly in Greece. Since my enrollment in medical school I’m trying to have continuous progress . I’m personally interested in approaching the practical part of medicine by practicing a clinical specialty, in order to broaden my knowledge by learning new methods and obtaining new skills. Nevertheless, I recognize the crucial contribution of research as a basis for reporting and developing new practical methods . Research is the only mean to get better, discover the world and obtain new knowledge. It’s also a determinant factor of progress in the medical field. New drugs, therapies and techniques are discovered and tested for their effectiveness through research. Thus, research can be characterized as the future of medicine itself. So , it was a constant desire of mine getting in touch with a student’s research program. AspireMED combines both well organized means and the guidance of well experienced colleagues. It’s a gate for further development . If I am given the opportunity within the team, I aim to acquire new skills on this topic and enhance my pre existing ones.
My name is Marina Kontou and I am a second-year medical student at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly in Greece.
I am highly aspired to engage myself in scientific research and collaborate with other scientists who aim to promote medical research and development. Personally, I have always been fascinated by the way the human brain works and how despite its materialistic nature, it gives identity and perception to a human being. Therefore, my main interests focus on the neuroscience field, with emphasis on neurodegenerative diseases and genetics.
During the training in AspireMED, I have obtained fundamental knowledge about research methodology, and I had the chance to gather hands-on experience on literature-based research projects. As a member of the AspireMED group, I anticipate working on various research projects, expanding my knowledge on the medical field, and advancing my research skills.
Evi Agathokleous
My name is Evi Agathocleous and I am a medical student at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly in Greece.
I am motivated to engage in research as I personally believe that it cultivates a habit of critical thinking and a mindset that as a student and later as a professional it is vital to continue engaging with new ideas and constantly evolving. I have always been fascinated by the different ways people learn and how you can facilitate this process.
Medicine is a career of lifelong learning and research is the cornerstone and the cause of this continued, rapid growth in knowledge therefore I am eager to be part of the AspireMED group, improve my research skills and devote time working on research projects.