Dr. Irene Sargiannidou, PhD is a biologist and completed her studies in the United States of America where she obtained her BSc degree in Biology from Plymouth State University, NH and her PhD degree in Molecular Pathobiology from Drexel University, Philadelphia. She has been employed by the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics since 2005 as an Associate Scientist while she is also an Assistant Professor at the Graduate School of CING. She has worked on projects focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying connexin32 mutations that cause X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT1X), a peripheral neuropathy associated with CNS manifestations and generated transgenic mice expressing representative CMT1X mutations in both Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes. Her current research focus is the development of gene therapy approaches for inherited neuropathies. In addition, she has worked on an experimental encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model, where extensive loss of oligodendrocyte gap junctions both in white and gray matter MS lesions, as well as in the NAWM and NAGM was shown. Dr. Sargiannidou has published research papers in international peer-reviewed scientific journals with more than 1600 citations and an h-index of 25.
Dr. Kleopas A. Kleopa, MD, PhD, FAAN, FEAN, is a Professor and Senior Consultant Neurologist at the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (CING). He studied medicine and trained in neurology and neuromuscular disorders in Germany and the USA. Dr. Kleopa has a long track record as a clinician-scientist with extensive expertise in neurological and neuromuscular disorders, neuroscience, and gene therapy. He coordinates the Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Disorders delivering multidisciplinary clinical care and providing cutting-edge therapeutics. Dr. Kleopa also holds the position of Head of Neuroscience Department and Coordinator of the Neuroscience MSc/PhD Graduate Program at CING. His translational research has made significant contributions to the understanding of neurological disease mechanisms focusing on neurogenetic, neuroinflammatory and neuromuscular disorders and to the development of innovative cell-targeted gene therapies for inherited neuropathies and leukodystrophies, with results currently being developed for clinical translation in collaboration with industry. His work has been published in more than 125 peer-reviewed high-impact scientific papers and has been recognized by numerous prestigious Awards, including the European Academy of Neurology Investigator Award and the Cyprus National Distinguished Researcher Award. He is a member of numerous professional Societies and serves in Scientific Boards of several Associations.
