Our People
Gnosis is led by two prominent business specialists with significant contribution to global scientific knowledge and industry experience: Prof. Demetris Vrontis (Managing Director) and Prof. Alkis Thrassou (Director). The institute further enjoys the valuable support of two in-house funded research experts, Dr. Stelios Stylianou and Ms. Chrystalla Pachita; and houses additional researchers, assistants, administrators and support staff.
Our Research Staff
Prof. Demetris Vrontis
Managing Director
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Demetris Vrontis
Demetris Vrontis
Professor Demetris Vrontis is the Vice Rector for Faculty and Research and a Professor of Strategic Management at the University of Nicosia, Cyprus. He is the Founding Editor and Editor in Chief of the EuroMed Journal of Business, an Associate Editor of the International Marketing Review, an Associate Editor of the Journal of Business Research, a Consulting Editor of the Journal of International Management, an Associate Editor of the Journal of Strategic Marketing, a Senior Advisor of the International Studies of Management & Organization, a Senior Associate Editor of the FIIB Business Review and an editorial advisory board member in numerous academic and scientific marketing, management and business-related journals. He has a wide editorial experience and has successfully edited over 80 guest editions in top-tier journals. He is the President of the EuroMed Academy of Business and the Managing Director of Gnosis Mediterranean Institute for Management Science, which serve as important and influential regional hubs in the area of Business and Management. He has widely published in over 450 refereed journal articles, 60 books and 80 chapters in books, and he has presented papers at over 100 conferences around the globe. His refereed journal articles appeared in (among others) Human Resource Management (USA); British Journal of Management; Journal of World Business, Journal of Product Innovation Management, Business History, The International Journal of Human Resource Management; Technovation, Journal of Business Research; Journal of International Management; International Marketing Review; Technological Forecasting and Social Change; International Business Review; Industrial Marketing Management; European Management Review; IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management; Human Resource Management Review; Annals of Operations Research, Production Planning and Control, Journal of Sustainable Tourism; Information Systems Frontiers, Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal, International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior and Research, Asia Pacific Journal of Management and more. He is a fellow member and certified Chartered Marketer of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a Chartered Business Consultant. He is also currently serving as a consultant and is a member of the board of directors of several international companies.
Prof. Alkis Thrassou
Director
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Alkis Thrassou
Alkis Thrassou
Dr. Thrassou is a Professor at the University of Nicosia (Cyprus, EU) and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Leeds (UK). He is the Director of Gnosis Mediterranean Institute for Management Science, the Chief Editor of Palgrave Intersections of Business and the Sciences, the Managing Editor of Palgrave Studies in Cross-disciplinary Business Research, an Associate Editor of EuroMed Journal of Business, and a Senior Research Fellow of the EuroMed Academy of Business. He has edited and published in numerous internationally esteemed scientific journals and books, and his works have been cited in thousands of scientific publications. He further retains strong ties with industry, acting also as a consultant, and holding the prominent professional qualifications of Chartered Marketer (FCIM), Chartered Construction Manager (FCIOB) and Chartered Management Consultancy Surveyor (MRICS).
Dr. Stelios Stylianou
Senior Researcher, Head of Funded Research
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Stelios Stylianou
Stelios Stylianou
Dr. Stylianou holds a bachelor’s degree in social and Political Science, from the University of Cyprus, and has also obtained a Postgraduate tittle in Sociology from the City University in London. He holds PhD in Sociology from the University of Cyprus. He has worked for RTD TALOS as the Director of Tenders Department for fifteen years being responsible not only for the submission of proposals but also for the management and coordination of Local and European Research and Development projects, targeting mainly NGO’s and small and medium-sized enterprises. Currently at University of Nicosia he is holding the position of the Head of Funded Research Administration for GNOSIS Research Center and he oversees the management and implementation of European and national research projects. He is very active in social affairs, and he is member in several social NGO’s.
Ms. Chrystalla Pachita
Researcher
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Chrystalla Pachita
Ms. Chrystalla Pachita
Ms. Pachita holds a BA in English Studies from the University of Cyprus, and an MSc in Education, Leadership and Management from the Cyprus International Institute of Management. Currently, she is pursuing a Postgraduate title in Green & Digital Management from the Cyprus International Institute of Management. With substantial experience as a Project Manager and Researcher, she has worked with cross-functional, international partners in interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral projects. She currently holds the position of Researcher at GNOSIS Mediterranean Institute for Management Science, where she contributes to the management and implementation of European and national research projects.
Dr. Aleksandra Figurek
Researcher
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Aleksandra Figurek
Aleksandra Figurek
Dr. Figurek is a graduate of the Faculty of Economics of the University of Banja Luka (Republic of Srpska, B&H), finishing top of her class of 600+ students. She later obtained a Masters from the same University and a PhD thesis from the University of Novi Sad in Serbia. She developed her knowledge at various institutions of many European countries, and was awarded for her achievements by the Government of the Republic of Srpska. Dr Figurek reached the rank of Associate Professor at the University of the Republic of Srpska, and has been involved in several research projects, publishing also in scientific journals and books. She speaks Serbian, German and English and is currently studying for her second PhD at the School of Business of the University of Nicosia, while also being a researcher for GNOSIS Mediterranean Institute for Management Science.
Ms Naziyet Uzunboylu
Researcher
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Naziyet Uzunboylu
Naziyet Uzunboylu
Ms. Uzunboylu received a BA from Manchester Metropolitan University, UK, and an MBA from the University of Nicosia, Cyprus. Following some significant professional experience, she is currently a Ph.D. student at the School of Business of the University of Nicosia, and a Researcher for Gnosis Mediterranean Institute for Management Science. Her Ph.D. and research interests focus on Social Media Marketing, User-generated Content, Consumer-Brand Engagement and Strategic Branding. Ms. Uzunboylu is actively publishing works in prominent peer reviewed journals, conference proceedings and books, in the wider field on marketing and management.
Ms Meliz Bozat
Assistant Researcher
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Meliz Bozat
Meliz Bozat
Ms. Bozat received a BA from the University of Nicosia (Cyprus) in Tourism Leisure and Events Management, and after few years of work experience in the tourism & events management field, she studied for an MBA in Events Management at Bournemouth University (UK). Currently, she is a PhD student at University of Nicosia, School of Business, and a researcher for GNOSIS Mediterranean Institute for Management Science. Ms. Bozat’s research interests and PhD focus include Tourism, Hospitality, Destination and Events Management and Marketing, the application of New Technologies in Business, as well as Consumer Behavior and Sustainable Development.
Mr Giannis Theofanous
Assistant Researcher
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Giannis Theofanous
Giannis Theofanous
Mr. Theofanous is currently pursuing a PhD degree at the School of Business of the University of Nicosia, and he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management, an MSc in Management and Entrepreneurship from the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), and an MSc in Education, Leadership and Management from the Cyprus International Institute of Management. Currently, he works as a Faculty Member and Programme Leader at Unicaf, Cyprus, and as a researcher at GNOSIS Mediterranean Institute for Management Science; and he has also worked at the CUT on various projects as a research and administrative assistant. His research interests include Digital Innovation in business, Social Entrepreneurship, and Accessible Tourism.
Dr. George Yiapanas
Research Fellow
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George Yiapanas
George Yiapanas
Dr. Yiapanas holds a Ph.D. in Sports Management from the University of Nicosia, an MA degree in Management, a degree in Accounting, and Certificates in Football Management and in Security Management. He is currently appointed by the University of Nicosia as an Adjunct Faculty, and by the University of Roehampton, UK, as a lecturer, in the fields of strategic planning and sustainable strategic management. He is also a Fellow Researcher at GNOSIS Mediterranean Institute for Management Science and publishes scientific works in peer reviewed journals and books in the field of Strategic and Sports Marketing and Management. Dr. Yiapanas is the Finance Manager of GSP Stadium in Nicosia, Cyprus, with more than twenty years of experience in the sports industry. He is a qualified stadium safety manager, a certified trainer for stadium stewards by the UEFA Stadium and Security Unit, a board member of the Cyprus Association for Sports Management, a Fellow member of the EuroMed Research Business Institute. He has also served as a member of the Parallel Parliament of Cyprus through direct appointment by the President of the House of Representatives.