team
Dr. Melita Menelaou - Team leader
Dr. Melita Menelaou is a Chemical Engineer who earned her Diploma (2004) and Ph.D. (2009) from the School of Chemical Engineering at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, under the supervision of Prof. A. Salifoglou. She has worked with leading research teams in Greece, Spain, the Czech Republic, and Japan.
Her research focuses on the design and development of advanced (nano)materials and molecular inorganic/organic hybrid materials for applications in aerospace, energy, and health. In 2017, part of her work was published in Nature Chemistry and featured in Nature Chemistry News & Views, Nanowerk, EurekAlert!, and the Japanese press.
In 2020, she joined the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Cyprus University of Technology as Special Teaching Staff, teaching core and specialized courses in mathematics, materials science, and petrochemical processes. In 2023, she was elected Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, specializing in the synthesis of inorganic and functional materials. She currently teaches courses such as Solid State Physics and Synthesis of Advanced Materials and is the founder of the Laboratory of Inorganic Materials (LIMs).
Christos Panagiotou - PhD Candidate
Christos Panagiotou is a graduate of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering at the Cyprus University of Technology (Materials oriented).
In September 2025, he began his PhD at the same department, focusing on the Synthesis and Characterization of Hybrid/Inorganic (Nano)materials for Technological and Biomedical Applications.
He aspires to contribute to the advancement of materials science through research with real-world impact and societal value. In his free time, he enjoys listening to podcasts on social and political issues, as well as topics related to mental well-being and personal growth.
Eirini Nikolaou - PhD Candidate
Eirini Nikolaou is a graduate of the Department of Biological Sciences of the University of Cyprus with a master's degree in Agricultural Biotechnology from the Cyprus University of Technology.
She worked as a Research Assistant at ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence, focusing on research project management and laboratory analysis for Carbon Farming. She possesses a concrete background in plant physiology and nanotechnology, with specialized research in zeolite-based nanomaterials as in here master thesis she researched these materials as plant priming agents in model plants.
Driven by the convergence of nanotechnology, engineering and biology, she recently commenced her PhD at the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering at the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT). Her current research focuses on the synthesis of lanthanide-doped inorganic nanomaterials for advanced biomedical and technological applications.
Marios Evripidou - Undergraduate Student
Marios Evripidou is a final-year undergraduate student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering at the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), School of Engineering and Technology, specializing in the Materials stream. During his internship, he worked at a car garage in Paphos, where he gained experience in general servicing, OBD diagnostics, braking systems, immobilizer and key programming, as well as technical inspections prior to MOT. He also worked at CHR KONTOS ENTERPRISES LTD, where he was responsible for the mechanical support, maintenance, and proper operation of machinery and vehicles.
His thesis focuses on the synthesis and study of alumina (Al2O3) samples using wet synthesis techniques, as well as their comparison with commercially available products. In his free time, he manages his own online page, ME Car Accessories, which specializes in car accessories, combining his interest in technology and the automotive field with entrepreneurial
activity.
Andri Kyprianou - Undergraduate Student
Andri Kyprianou is currently enrolled as a student in the mechanical engineering programme at the Cyprus University of Technology. The subject is currently in her fifth year of study, specialising in materials science. In her leisure time, she engages in culinary activities and, during the summer months, she appreciates the sea and travel.
Maria Nitti - Undergraduate Student
Maria Nitti is a final-year undergraduate student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering at the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), School of Engineering and Technology, specializing in the Materials stream.
As part of her thesis work, she focuses on the synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials for biomedical applications. Her research interests include nanotechnology, advanced composites, and materials characterization techniques. In 2024, she completed an internship at a collagen production company, where she worked on optimizing production processes and system flow. Alongside her studies, she works part-time as a Shift Supervisor at Starbucks, gaining valuable experience in leadership and teamwork.
Outside her academic and professional activities, she is particularly interested in sustainable engineering, innovation, personal development, and music, which she considers an essential creative outlet.
Andreas Panayiotou - Undergraduate Student
Andreas Panayiotou is a final-year undergraduate student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering at the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), School of Engineering and Technology, specializing in the Materials stream. During his internship, he worked at Michalis Panayiotou Metal Constructions Ltd, where he gained experience in welding, applications, assembly, and installation of metal structures.
He was also involved in reading and preparing technical drawings, cost estimation, and the development of technical proposals, while improving his skills in design tools and teamwork within an industrial environment. His thesis focuses on ceramic materials and specifically on the synthesis and study of silicon dioxide (SiO2), commonly known as silica, using wet synthesis techniques, with the aim of comparing its properties to similar commercially available products.
