Cystic Fibrosis Service
Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia Service
Cystic Fibrosis Service
Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia Service
Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia Service
Cystic Fibrosis Service

WHO WE ARE

The Respiratory Physiology Laboratory is part of the Medical School of the University of Cyprus. It is headed by the Professor of Pediatrics and pediatric pulmonologist Dr Panayiotis Yiallouros and it currently engages 12 members at the senior, post-doctoral, and junior level. Overall, the make-up of the Respiratory Physiology Laboratory and its network of collaborators is characterised by a highly engaged and collaborative multidisciplinary team of medical doctors, allied health professionals (diagnosticians, nurses, physiotherapists) and researchers.

The laboratory provides training and clinical care and conducts research in the fields of respiratory disease, with a special interest in rare hereditary respiratory diseases such as Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia and Cystic Fibrosis. Furthermore, the laboratory is actively involved in research in the field of environmental and public health, primarily regarding the impacts of air pollution and other environmental determinants in common respiratory diseases such as Asthma.

OUR TEAM

Panayiotis Yiallouros

Panayiotis Yiallouros

Professor of Paediatrics

Dr. Panayiotis Yiallouros is a Professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Pulmonology at the Medical School of the University of Cyprus and leads the Respiratory Physiology Laboratory of the School. He is a Pediatric Respiratory Consultant and founder of the Pediatric Respiratory Clinic at the tertiary children’s hospital ‘Archbishop Makarios III’ in Nicosia and leads the Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia and Cystic Fibrosis clinics. He is actively involved in epidemiological and clinical studies in major pediatric respiratory diseases such as asthma, primary ciliary dyskinesia and cystic fibrosis, as well as in environmental and public health studies, primarily investigating the impact of air pollution and other environmental and lifestyle exposures on child health outcomes. To date, Prof Yiallouros has coordinated several national and EU funded research projects in the fields of respiratory disease, public health and climate change adaptation and his published work includes >110 publications in PubMed Journals.

Panayiotis Kouis

Panayiotis Kouis

Special Research Scientist – Project Manager

Dr. Panayiotis Kouis is a biologist and holds an MSc in Molecular Medicine and a PhD in Environmental Health. He is a member of the Respiratory Physiology Laboratory since 2017 and serves as the project manager of the EU funded program LIFE MEDEA. He is also involved in PCD diagnostic testing and coordinates the performance of observational and randomised trials in cohorts of chronic respiratory disease patients. His research interests include respiratory physiology, respiratory epidemiology, as well as the study of the impact of environmental exposures and climate change on public health.

Pinelopi Anagnostopoulou

Pinelopi Anagnostopoulou

Lecturer of Pediatrics and Pediatric Pulmonology

Dr. Pinelopi Anagnostopoulou is a pediatric pulmonologist, lecturer of Pediatrics in the Medical School of the University of Cyprus, and affiliated researcher in the Institute of Anatomy in Bern, Switzerland. She serves as a Consultant at the Pediatric Respiratory Clinic and leads the lung function laboratory in the tertiary ‘Archbishop Makarios III’ Hospital in Nicosia, while she is a member of the Respiratory Physiology Laboratory of the University of Cyprus. Her research interest is primarily focused on lung function in the growing lung with special interest on the feasibility, performance and accuracy of new lung function techniques, like the multiple breath washout.
Andreas Anagiotos

Andreas Anagiotos

ENT Specialist

Dr. Andreas Anayiotos is a Consultant Otolaryngologist, Head and Neck Surgeon at the Nicosia General Hospital. His clinical and research interests include a wide range of otolaryngologic topics such as prevention of hearing loss, cochlear implantation, cholesteatoma surgery and ear–nose–throat (ENT) complications in Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD). He currently serves as the local principal investigator of the ENT prospective international cohort study of patients with PCD (EPIC-PCD study). He participates in the training of ENT residents and medical students as a scientific collaborator of the Medical School at the University of Cyprus.

Paraskevi Kinni

Paraskevi Kinni

Special Research Scientist

Mrs. Paraskevi Kinni is a chemist with an MSc degree in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. She has been a member of Respiratory Physiology Laboratory since 2017 and since 2021 she is a PhD candidate in the field of Public Health. She is involved in the LIFE MEDEA project, serving primarily in recruitment of patients, performance of on-site measurements and statistical analyses. Her research interests focus on social epidemiology of air pollution and the impact of other environmental exposures in susceptible population groups such as children with asthma.
Antonis Mechanikou

Antonis Mechanikou

Special Research Scientist

Mr. Antonis Michanikou is a chemist who is currently undertaking an MSc degree in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Cyprus. He has been a member of the Respiratory Physiology Laboratory since 2018 and is involved in the LIFE MEDEA project as in charge of on-site measurements of air pollution and collection of participant’s health and physical activity data using wearable sensors. His research interests focuses on wearable sensor technology applications in assessment of environmental exposures and behavioural responses in susceptible population groups.
Andreas Matthaiou

Andreas Matthaiou

Special Research Scientist

Dr. Andreas Matthaiou is a medical doctor who is currently undertaking his medical residency in pulmonology at the University General Hospital of Heraklion. His research interests focus on biomedical research, primary in the field of respiratory hereditary diseases such as Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia and Cystic Fibrosis.

COLLABORATORS

UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS

Constantinos Deltas

Constantinos Deltas

Professor of Medical & Molecular Genetics

Dr. Constantinos Deltas is a professor of Medical and Molecular Genetics at the Medical School of the University of Cyprus. He is the founder and director of the Molecular Medicine Research Centre and more recently the Centre of Excellence for Biobanking and Biomedical Research. His research interests are broad and include the genetics of inherited kidney conditions, inherited heart conditions and the search for biomarkers for disease diagnosis and prognosis.
Stavros C. Kassinos

Stavros C. Kassinos

Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Dr. Stavros Kassinos is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of Cyprus and the Head of the Computational Sciences Laboratory at the University of Cyprus UCY-CompSci and of the Fusion Transnational Unit for Research in Cyprus (FUTURE-CY). His research interests focus on numerical simulation and modelling of complex physical systems. The overlying goal of his research is the understanding of fundamental processes in complex systems and the application of this understanding for the development of novel engineering applications.
Panagiotis Bargiotas

Panagiotis Bargiotas

Assistant Professor of Neurology

Dr. Panagiotis Bargiotas is an Assistant Professor of Neurology and Head of the Sleep and Motion Lab at the Medical School of University of Cyprus. His research focuses on the neurophysiology of sleep-wake disturbances (including REM Sleep Behavior Disorder, sleepiness and sleepiness perception, fatigue and apathy) in patients with neurodegenerative disorders and mainly in those with Parkinson’s disease. His research methodologies include the use of specific questionnaires, sleep-wake diaries, behavioural tests, wearables (advanced actigraphy) and sleep neurophysiology (polysomnography and special EMG protocols, MSLT, MWT).
Paris Skourides

Paris Skourides

Associate Professor of Biological Sciences

Dr. Paris Skourides is an Associate Professor at the Department of Biological Sciences of the University of Cyprus and head of the Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Biology. He leads the only Xenopus facility in Cyprus and is the coordinator of the “Ciliary Adhesions and their role in Ciliogenesis and Ciliary function” Research Promotion Foundation (RPF) project. Among other topics, his research work includes the study of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in generating tissue organisation and morphogenesis as well as the study of ciliogenesis and directional mucociliary flow.
Georgios Nikolopoulos

Georgios Nikolopoulos

Assistant Professor of Epidemiology

Dr. Georgios Nikolopoulos is an Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at the Medical School of the University of Cyprus. Among other projects, he coordinates of the RPF project “Biometeorological Aspect of Thermal environment and Health: impacts on public health and on special populations to improve the quality of life and tourism sustainability” and has been the local principal investigator of a multicentre AIDS prevention study entitled “Transmission Reduction Intervention Project – TRIP” that was funded by the National Institute on Health. His research interests include public health, environmental epidemiology and epidemiology of infectious diseases.
Konstantinos Pitsios

Konstantinos Pitsios

Special Teaching Staff

Dr. Constantinos Pitsios is an allergologist and teaches physiology and immunology in the Medical School of the University of Cyprus. He is participating in the LIFE MEDEA project, and he is responsible for the assessment of allergic sensitization in children with asthma. His research interests include immunotherapy, study of allergic sensitisation and its clinical impacts, as well as the study of food allergy.
Petros Mouzourides

Petros Mouzourides

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Dr. Petros Mouzourides has studied Applied Mathematics and Physical Sciences and holds a PhD in Environmental Engineering. He is a post-doctoral fellow at the Laboratory-Isle of Excellence of Environmental Fluid Mechanics (EFMLab) of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He is currently collaborating with the Respiratory Physiology Laboratory within the framework of LIFE MEDEA and other project focusing on the health impact of air pollution exposures. His research interests include atmospheric modelling, air flow dynamics and air pollution modelling in urban areas.
Andreas Eleftheriou

Andreas Eleftheriou

Special Research Scientist

Mr. Andreas Eleftheriou has studied Environmental Geography and is currently doing his PhD in the field of Environmental Engineering at the Laboratory-Isle of Excellence of Environmental Fluid Mechanics (EFMLab) of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He has been involved in the MEDEA Project as a meteorology and air pollution research scientist.
Aigli Evriviadou

Aigli Evriviadou

Special Research Scientist

Dr. Aigli Evriviadou is a molecular biologist with a PhD in cardiovascular science. She works in the Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Biology of the Department of Biological Sciences of the University of Cyprus. She is involved in PCD diagnostic testing and more particularly in the assessment of cilia motility and performance of ALI cultures. Her research interests include respiratory physiology and molecular pathology.

COLLABORATORS

Cyprus University of Technology

Nicos Middleton

Nicos Middleton

Associate Professor in Health Sciences Research Methodology and Biostatistics at Cyprus University of Technology

Associate Professor in Health Sciences Research Methodology and Biostatistics Dr. Nicos Middleton is a statistician with a PhD in Epidemiology. His research interests fall within the sphere of chronic disease (e.g. asthma, cancer), mental health and geographical epidemiology, particularly focusing on population health inequalities and the social and physical environmental determinants of health.

COLLABORATORS

University of Nicosia

Souzana Achileos

Souzana Achileos

Assistant Professor in Environmental Health

Dr. Souzana Achilleos is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Primary Care and Population Health of the Medical School at the University of Nicosia. She is responsible for air pollution measurements within the framework of LIFE MEDEA project Her research interests include exposure assessment, environmental epidemiology, and public health; and particularly the investigation of sources, fate and transport, and effects of air pollution, including dust storms, on human health.
Marios Lemonaris

Marios Lemonaris

Medical Student

Mr. Marios Lemonaris holds a BSc degree in Biomedical Science and is currently an undergraduate medical student at the University of Nicosia. He is involved in the LIFE MEDEA project and other research projects of the Respiratory Physiology Lab. His research interests include respiratory disease and respiratory epidemiology.

COLLABORATORS

Archbishop Makarios III Hospital

Phivos Ioannou

Phivos Ioannou

Nurse Specialist

Dr. Phivos Ioannou recently received his PhD and he is a nursing officer at the Pediatric Pulmonology clinic of ‘Archbishop Makarios III’ Hospital. He has many years of expertise in clinical nursing children with chronic respiratory diseases and he is responsible for performing measurements at the lung function laboratory of the Clinic. Dr. Ioannou’s research focused on the health-related quality of life in PCD patients.
Markela Markou

Markela Markou

Head of Microbiology Department

Dr. Markela Markou is a clinical microbiologist, responsible for the culture of microbiology samples from PCD, CF and other chronic respiratory patients. Her research interests focus on the molecular characterisation of pseudomonas bacteria that are isolated from PCD and CF patients.
Aristoula Toliopoulou

Aristoula Toliopoulou

Physiotherapist

Mrs. Aristoula Toliopoulou is a pediatric physiotherapist and a registered member of the chartered society of physiotherapy in the UK. She completed a BSc (Hons) in Sports Rehabilitation and a Bsc (Hons) in Physiotherapy from the University of Salford UK and successfully completed a respiratory placement at the Great Ormond Street Hospital in the UK. She developed a special interest in respiratory physiotherapy and gained valuable experience in the specific field and works with both pediatric and adult PCD and CF patients.

COLLABORATORS

Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics

Michail Panagiotidis

Michail Panagiotidis

Professor - Senior Scientist

Dr. Michail Panagiotidis is a Professor at the Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, as well as Senior Scientist & Head of the Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology Department at the Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics. His research interests focus on Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis, Cancer Genetics & Epigenetics, Cancer Therapeutics, Cancer Biomarkers & Molecular Diagnostics and Nutrition & Cancer Prevention.
Andreas Hadjisavvas

Andreas Hadjisavvas

Professor - Scientist

Dr Andreas Hadjisavvas is a Professor of the Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine and Scientist at the Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology. He has been active in research involving cancer genetics and epidemiology as well as research in the fields of respiratory, nephrological, mitochondrial and neuromuscular disorders.
Kyriacos Kyriacou

Kyriacos Kyriacou

Emeritus Professor

Dr. Kyriacos Kyriacou is an Emeritus Professor at the Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine and the Founder of the Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology (previously known as Department of Electron Microscopy/Molecular Pathology). He is an internationally acclaimed expert on Electron Microscopy and Cancer Genetics. His main research interests include the molecular pathology and genetic epidemiology cancer, renal disease and ciliary disorders.
Maria Loizidou

Maria Loizidou

Associate Scientist

Dr. Maria Loizidou holds a PhD in Cancer Genetics/Genetic Epidemiology and she is an Associate Scientist at the Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology. She has been active in the development and validation of new diagnostic molecular genetics tests for hereditary cancer predisposition, which are now an integral part of the services offered by the CING. Maria is also involved in genetic testing for PCD diagnosis. Her research interests include the study of cancer both at the research and diagnostic level.
Louiza Potamiti

Louiza Potamiti

Laboratory Scientific Officer

Mrs. Louiza Potamiti is a Laboratory Scientific Officer at the Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology and holds an MSc in molecular genetics. She is involved in PCD diagnostic testing and more particularly in Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) processing and TEM imaging. Her research interests include the molecular pathology of ciliary and other disorders.

COLLABORATORS

Harvard T.H. School of Public Health

Petros Koutrakis

Petros Koutrakis

Professor of Environmental Sciences

Dr. Petros Koutrakis is the Head of the Exposure, Epidemiology and Risk Program and the Director of the EPA/Harvard University Centre for Ambient Particle Health Effects. He has performed a numerous studies on air quality in Cyprus, Greece and the Middle East and is involved in the LIFE MEDEA project as an expert consultant in the performance of air pollution measurements. His research activities focus on the development of human exposure measurement techniques and the investigation of sources, transport, and the fate of air pollutants.
Stefania Papatheodorou

Stefania Papatheodorou

Lecturer of Epidemiology

Dr. Stefania Papatheodorou is an obstetrician and gynaecologist and her research interests include risk factors and interventions for preterm labor, early diagnosis of fetal defects, pregnancy establishment and pregnancy loss. She has developed various novel meta-research methods to address clinical decision-making and her work includes advanced epidemiological methods (such as the excess significance test and the credibility ceiling).

COLLABORATORS

University of Oxford

Maria Kakoura

Maria Kakoura

Postdoctoral Researcher

Dr. Maria Kakkoura is a biologist with a PhD in Molecular Medicine. She is involved in the LIFE MEDEA project and other projects of the Respiratory Physiology Lab. Her research includes the examination of the relationship between diet and risk of non-communicable diseases as well as the effects of extreme environmental stressors such as heat and desert dust storm events on health.

COLLABORATORS

Hippokrateion General Hospital

Ioannis Tsiolakis

Ioannis Tsiolakis

Pediatric Resident

Dr. Ioannis Tsiolakis is a medical doctor who is currently undertaking his medical residency in pediatrics at the Hippokrateion General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Greece. His research interests focus on clinical research in respiratory hereditary diseases, such as Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia.

COLLABORATORS

School of Medicine of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Skevi Stylianou-Riga

Skevi Stylianou-Riga

Neonatologist- Pediatrician

Dr. Skevi Stylianou-Riga is a paediatrician-neonatologist, performing her PhD studies in collaboration with the Respiratory Physiology Laboratory and the University of Athens. Her research interests include the study of socio-economic and other risk factors on perinatal health outcomes.