Dr Maria Kouspou
PhD in Medical Sciences (Human Cancer Genetics), Class of 2025
Cyprus
The UNIC environment—marked by open-door supervision, access to advanced facilities and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration—was key to my development as a scientist and educator.
I joined the UNIC Medical School doctoral programme in 2020 with a fully funded scholarship in partnership with Medicover Genetics.
Working in the company’s laboratories and alongside the University of Nicosia faculty, I mapped the molecular profiles of prostate, lung, breast and colorectal cancers, and cutaneous melanoma. The project aimed to improve diagnosis, refine prognosis and guide targeted therapy by characterising under-reported genomic variants. Our findings identified several potential therapeutic targets and earned the “Most Innovative Research Award” at the 2022 UNIC Student Research Conference.
Beyond the bench, I served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, delivered tutorials in molecular biology and contributed to course planning and quality-assurance activities. These roles sharpened my communication and leadership skills and underlined the value of translating research insights into classroom learning.
