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Research

Research2025-06-05T13:09:05+03:00

Research Priority Areas

The Research Priorities are set by the Dean of the School and the Head of Veterinary Medicine Department. The School of Veterinary Medicine espouses the holistic concept of One Health which emphasizes the relationship between the health of humans and animals within a healthy, sustainable environment and promotes the conduct of clinical, epidemiological, basic science and social science research.

The Research Priority Areas of the Department of Veterinary Medicine are as follows:

  1. Zoonotic Diseases
  2. Antimicrobial Resistance
  3. Veterinary Drug Discovery
  4. Food Safety and Food Adulteration
  5. Farm Animal Genetic Improvements
  6. Animal Nutrition
  7. Small animal Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging
  8. Laboratory Animal Science
  9. Comparative and Evolutionary Genetics
  10. Experimental Neuroscience and Brain Activity

Research Support Mechanisms

The faculty of the School of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Nicosia are supported by the University of Nicosia research support structures which include:

  • The University Research Committee (URC)
  • The Research Ethics Committee (REC) and
  • The Research & Innovation Office (R&IO)

PhD Supervisors

The Faculty listed below are eligible to supervise PhD students, as per the regulations of The Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education (CYQAA).

  • Dr Andreas Monoyios
  • Dr Eleni Gentekaki
  • Dr Eleni Michalopoulou
  • Dr Konstantinos Voskarides
  • Dr Manos Vlasiou
  • Prof Michael Herrtage
  • Dr Nikolas Perentos
  • Dr Sergi Olvera-Maneu

Publications

Selected Faculty Publications in Scopus-Indexed Journals

  • Suleiman, A. J., Mavrides, D. E., Maxamhud, S., Gentekaki, E. & Tsaousis, A. D. Presence of Cryptosporidium parvum in pre-washed vegetables from different supermarkets in South East England: A pilot study. Parasitology Research 123, 1–5 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-024-08250-w
  • Carbajal, Annais & Serres-Corral, Paula & Olvera Maneu, Sergi & Lopez-Bejar, Manel. (2024). Non‐invasive measurement of glucocorticoids: The reptile perspective. Journal of Zoology. 323. https://doi.org/10.1111/jzo.13157. 10.1111/jzo.13157
  • Varela-Martínez E, Luigi-Sierra MG, Guan D, López-Béjar M, Casas E, Olvera-Maneu S, Gardela J, Palomo MJ, Osuagwuh UI, Ohaneje UL, Mármol-Sánchez E, Amills M. The landscape of long noncoding RNA expression in the goat brain. J Dairy Sci. 2024 Jun;107(6):4075-4091. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2023-23966
  • Georgiou AN, Voskarides K, Zanos P, Chatzittofis A. Investigating the shared genetic basis and causal relationships between mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue inflammation and psychiatric disorders. Front Psychiatry. 2024 Apr 29;15:1379922. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1379922
  • Aykur M, Malatyalı E, Demirel F, Cömert-Koçak B, Gentekaki E, Tsaousis AD, Dogruman-Al F. Blastocystis: A Mysterious Member of the Gut Microbiome. Microorganisms. 2024 Feb 24;12(3):461. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12030461
  • Mourelatou, Elena & Iosif, Elias & Galatou, Eleftheria & Sarigiannis, Yiannis & Vlasiou, Manos & Zacharia, Lefteris & Petrou, Christos. (2024). Application of artificial intelligence in pharmaceutical development. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91816-9.00009-6
  • Carmona Flores, Lorena & Osorio Wallau, Marcelo & Cabrera, Catalina & Vyas, Diwakar. (2024). Evaluating the Impact of Orange Oil and Sunn Hemp Hay on Digestibility and Anthelmintic Efficacy in Texel Ewes. Small Ruminant Research. 236. 107296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2024.107296
  • Stensvold CR, Andersen LO, Gentekaki E. Towards minimizing second-generation mis-identification of Blastocystis. Trends Parasitol. 2024 Aug;40(8):670-674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2024.06.001
  • Voskarides K. The Role of Selection and Migration in the Evolution of (Auto)Immunity Genes. J Mol Evol. 2024 Aug;92(4):359-362. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00239-024-10182-z
  • Hurdeal VG, Longcore JE, Jones EBG, Hyde KD, Gentekaki E. Diversity of Rhizophydiales (Chytridiomycota) in Thailand: unveiling the hidden gems of the Kingdom. IMA Fungus. 2024 Jun 27;15(1):17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43008-024-00144-x
  • Jinatham V, Yowang A, Stensvold CR, Michalopoulou E, Vichasilp T, Suwannahitatorn P, Popluechai S, Tsaousis AD, Gentekaki E. Blastocystis colonization and associations with population parameters in Thai adults. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2024 Jul 9;18(7):e0012292. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012292
  • Vlasiou MC, Zacharia LC, Douni E, Papaneophytou C. Editorial: Targeting mitochondrial dysfunction for the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s and cognitive-related diseases. Front Pharmacol. 2024 Jul 15;15:1455646. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1455646
  • Katsanevaki D, Till SM, Buller-Peralta I, Nawaz MS, Louros SR, Kapgal V, Tiwari S, Walsh D, Anstey NJ, Petrović NG, Cormack A, Salazar-Sanchez V, Harris A, Farnworth-Rowson W, Sutherland A, Watson TC, Dimitrov S, Jackson AD, Arkell D, Biswal S, Dissanayake KN, Mizen LAM, Perentos N, Jones MW, Cousin MA, Booker SA, Osterweil EK, Chattarji S, Wyllie DJA, Gonzalez-Sulser A, Hardt O, Wood ER, Kind PC. Key roles of C2/GAP domains in SYNGAP1-related pathophysiology. Cell Rep. 2024 Sep 24;43(9):114733. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114733
  • Tsaousis AD, Gentekaki E and Stensvold CR. Advancing research on Blastocystis through a One Health approach [version 1; peer review: 3 approved]. Open Res Europe 2024, 4:145 https://doi.org/10.12688/openreseurope.18046.1
  • Vlasiou MC, Nikolaou G, Spanoudes K, Mavrides DE. β-Tocotrienol and δ-Tocotrienol as Additional Inhibitors of the Main Protease of Feline Infectious Peritonitis Virus: An In Silico Analysis. Vet Sci. 2024 Sep 11;11(9):424. https://doi.org/0.3390/vetsci11090424
  • Maxamhud, Sadiya & Shahiduzzaman, Md & Amin, A R M Beni & Hossain, Md.Zawad & Gentekaki, Eleni & Tsaousis, Anastasios D.. (2024). A pilot study of intestinal protist detection in humans, animals, and the environment in a slum area in Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Parasitology International. 104. https://doi.org/102967.10.1016/j.parint.2024.102967
  • Wiśniewska, M.M., Salomaki, E.D., Silberman, J.D. et al. Expanded gene and taxon sampling of diplomonads shows multiple switches to parasitic and free-living lifestyle. BMC Biol 22, 217 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-024-02013-w
  • Olvera-Maneu, S., Navarro, X., Serres-Corral, P., Carbajal, A., Martínez-Silvestre, A., & López-Béjar, M. (2024). Seasonal and Sexual Variations in Corticosterone and Total Triiodothyronine: A Pilot Study in Mediterranean Tortoises (Testudo hermanni). Animals, 14(19), 2810. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14192810
  • Serres-Corral, P., S. Olvera-Maneu, V. Almagro, et al. 2024. “Exploring Immunoglobulin A as a Stress Biomarker in Lions (Panthera leo): Validation of an Immunoassay for its Measurement in Feces.” Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology 299: 111762 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpa.2024.111762
  • Luethy D, Cabrera C, Coll-Roman LM, VanderBroek AR, Bauck AG, Stockler JW, Scully C, Kelleman AA, Mackay EE, Depenbrock SM, Fecteau ME, Abraham M, Leduc L, Noll CV, Hernandez JA. Multicenter study of factors associated with nonsurvival in hospitalized periparturient goats. J Vet Intern Med. 2024 Oct 30. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.17234
  • Manos C. Vlasiou, Theoretical Studies Revealing Mitochondrial-Targeted Anticancer Activity of Oxovanadium (V) Complexes 1, Lett. Appl. NanoBioScience, Volume 13, Issue 4, 2024, 174 https://nanobioletters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/LIANBS134.174.pdf
  • Tolis Panayi, Manos C. Vlasiou, Staphylococcus epidermidis (Gram +) and Escherichia coli (Gram -) Bacteria Show Sensitivity Against Hymecromone Divalent Transition Metal Complexes of Cobalt and Copper, Lett. Appl. NanoBioScience, Volume 13, Issue 4, 2024, 195. https://nanobioletters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/LIANBS134.195.pdf
  • Manos C. Vlasiou, Vet Informatics and the Future of Drug Discovery in Veterinary MedicineFront. Vet. Sci. Sec. Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology Volume 11 – 2024. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1494242
  • Manos C. Vlasiou , ” Computer-Aided Drug Discovery Methods: A Brief Introduction “, Bentham Science Publishers (2024). https://doi.org/10.2174/97898153050361240101

  • Xiao Y.-P.; Yang Y.; Jayawardena R.S.; Gentekaki E.; Peng X.-C.; Luo Z.-L.; Lu Y.-Z. (2023). Four novel Pleurocordyceps (Polycephalomycetaceae) species from China. Frontiers in Microbiology, 14: Art. Num. 1256967, 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1256967
  • Vlasiou M.C. (2023). Computer-aided Drug Discovery Methods for Zoonoses. Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, 22(3), 10.2174/0118715230268601231025091433
  • Amoiridis A.; Papanikolaou M.; Vlasiou M.; Bandeira N.A.G.; Miras H.N.; Kabanos T.; Keramidas A. (2023). Design and Modulation of Selectivity toward Vanadium(V) and Uranium(VI) Ions: Coordination Properties and Affinity of Hydroxylamino-Triazine Siderophores. Inorganic Chemistry, 62(49), 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c02678
  • Vlasiou M.; Nicolaidou V.; Papaneophytou C. (2023). Targeting Lactate Dehydrogenase-B as a Strategy to Fight Cancer: Identification of Potential Inhibitors by In Silico Analysis and In Vitro Screening. Pharmaceutics, 15(10): Art. Num. 2411, 10.3390/pharmaceutics15102411
  • Vlasiou M.C. (2023). Cheese and Milk Adulteration: Detection with Spectroscopic Techniques and HPLC: Advantages and Disadvantages. Dairy, 4(3), 10.3390/dairy4030034
  • Voskarides K. (2023). The double face of cold in cancer. Translational Oncology, 28: Art. Num. 101606, 10.1016/j.tranon.2022.101606
  • Voskarides K.; Giannopoulou N.; Eid R.; Parperis K.; Chatzittofis A. (2023). Genome-wide association studies reveal shared genetic haplotypes of autoimmune rheumatic and endocrine diseases with psychiatric disorders. Brain and Behavior, 13: Art. Num. e2955, 10.1002/brb3.2955
  • Parperis K.; Kyriakou A.; Voskarides K.; Koliou E.; Evangelou M.; Chatzittofis A. (2023). Insights into suicidal behavior among psoriatic arthritis patients: A systematic review and a genetic linkage disequilibrium analysis. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism, 62: Art. Num. 152241, 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2023.152241
  • Voskarides K.; Giannopoulou N. (2023). The Role of TP53 in Adaptation and Evolution. Cells, 12(3): Art. Num. 512, 10.3390/cells12030512

Students in Research

The ‘Students in Research Programme (SIRP)’ offers opportunities to participate in Research Projects to all active students under UNIC Health.  Participation in SIRP is voluntary as this is an extracurricular initiative which aims to provide undergraduate students with research experience.

The two Pathways of SIRP:

  • Pathway A (Internal) SIRP includes Research Projects offered and supervised by internal faculty members of UNIC Health.
  • Pathway B (External) SIRP includes Research Projects offered and supervised by external collaborators of UNIC Health.

Types of Research Projects:

  • Supervisors are encouraged to offer research projects that are aligned with the research priority areas of their respective School (Medical School or School of Veterinary Medicine).
  • A variety of primary and secondary research projects (e.g., literature reviews, epidemiological, clinical or lab-based projects) can be offered with students contributing in specific components of the project: development and/or distribution of questionnaires, health records review, article screening, data entry and analysis, abstract and/or manuscript write up etc.

Research Projects

Student EligibilityProject TypeProject TitleResearch AreaLocationSupervisor(s)Expected Start DateProject End DateApplications Closing DateStatus
MedicalNarrative ReviewThe role of mitral annular calcification in predicting the presence and severity of coronary artery disease.CardiologyRemoteGeorge Bazoukis2025-12-072026-01-312025-12-06Open
Medical, Clinical Academic FellowBasic SciencesPersonalized Music Interventions in the Perioperative Setting: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisAnesthesiology, OtherRemoteDr Nicoletta Nicolaou, Prof Slawomir Nasuto, Prof Marcela Vizcaychipi2025-12-012026-05-152025-11-17Open
MedicalNarrative ReviewEfficacy of Quinidine in the setting of Brugada syndrome – A review of the literatureCardiologyRemoteGeorge Bazoukis2025-10-312025-12-312025-10-30Expired
VeterinaryNarrative ReviewWater in animal nutrition: Consumption and qualityOtherUNIC Health Campus NicosiaKonstantinos V. Arsenopoulos2025-11-012026-11-012026-05-01Open
Medical, Clinical Academic FellowNarrative ReviewThe Gut–Metabolic–Amyloid Axis in Alzheimer’s Disease: How Microbiome–Insulin Interactions Drive NeurodegenerationOtherHybridDr Nicoletta Nicolaou, Dr Benson Botchway2025-09-292026-04-032025-09-21Open
MedicalNarrative ReviewThe Association Between Retinopathy and the Presence and Severity of Coronary Artery DiseaseCardiologyRemoteGeorge Bazoukis2025-07-222025-08-222025-07-19Expired
Medical, Clinical Academic FellowSystematic ReviewFrom Gut Flora to Brain Waves: Integrating Microbiome, EEG, and ECG Findings in Autism Spectrum DisordersOtherRemoteDr. Nicoletta Nicolaou2025-08-032026-02-272025-07-26Open
MedicalSystematic ReviewThe role of global longitudinal strain for predicting fatal arrhythmic events in hypertrophic cardiomyopathyCardiologyRemoteGeorge Bazoukis2025-06-302025-08-302025-06-29Expired
Medical, Master, Clinical Academic FellowSystematic ReviewThe use of brain-gut organoids for studying brain function: a systematic literature reviewOtherRemoteNicoletta Nicolaou2025-06-302025-11-202025-07-11Open
Veterinary, MasterClinical ReasearchPulmonary lesions in labs and goats Infectious Diseases, Microbiology, Pathology and CytologyUNIC Medical Center NicosiaGeorgios Nikolaou2025-06-092025-10-302025-06-30Open
Medical, VeterinaryQualitative ResearchBovine mycoplasmosis: A computer aided drug discovery approachOtherHybridDr. Manos Vlasiou2025-03-312025-12-222025-05-30Expired
MedicalSystematic ReviewThe role of electrophysiological study as a primary prevention risk stratification tool in ARVC patientsCardiologyRemoteGeorge Bazoukis2025-03-072025-06-302025-03-06Expired
MedicalEducationIntroduction of PBL in Year 1 of Traditional Medical CurriculumOtherRemoteDr. Stella Loizou 2022-08-012023-07-312022-07-18Expired
VeterinaryNarrative ReviewQuantifying sheep flock behavior and social interaction using an Ultra Wide Band tracking systemNeurology, OtherUNIC Health Campus NicosiaDr. Nikolas Perentos 2025-01-012027-09-272026-01-29Open
MedicalSystematic ReviewImpact of atrial fibrillation on all-cause mortality in patients undergoing TAVI – A meta-analysisCardiologyUNIC Medical Center NicosiaDr. George Bazoukis 2025-01-202025-10-062024-12-23Expired
Medical, VeterinaryQualitative ResearchCyprus Mouflon conservation Infectious Diseases, OtherUNIC Health Campus NicosiaDr. Catalina Cabrera, Dr. Eleni Gentekaki, Dr. Sergi Olvera2024-11-212026-04-202024-10-31Expired
MedicalQualitative ResearchAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) knowledge and perceptions in university studentsMicrobiologyUNIC Medical Center NicosiaDr. Ender Volkan 2024-12-232025-06-092024-12-02Open
VeterinaryHealth-Life SciencesPulmonary lesions in slaughtered adult small ruminantsOther, Pathology and CytologyUNIC Health Campus NicosiaDr. Georgios Nikolaou 2024-12-162025-06-232024-12-02Open
MedicalQualitative ResearchOne Health approach to investigate the role of the GUT microBIOME in the gastrointestinal diseases’ transmission in Cyprus.Infectious DiseasesUNIC Medical Center NicosiaDr. Danny Alon Ellenbogen, Dr Eleni Gentekaki, Dr. Daphne Mavrides2024-11-112025-05-052024-10-17Open
Medical, VeterinaryClinical ReasearchAntimicrobial resistance in dairy farmingMicrobiologyUNIC Medical Center NicosiaDr. Daphne Mavrides, Dr. Eleni Gentekaki 2024-11-042025-05-052024-10-25Expired
Medical, VeterinaryBasic SciencesParasites in wildlifeMicrobiologyUNIC Medical Center NicosiaDr. Daphne Mavrides, Dr. Eleni Gentekaki 2024-11-042025-05-052024-10-25Expired
Medical, VeterinaryBasic SciencesInvestigating the milk microbiome of dairy cattleMicrobiologyUNIC Medical Center NicosiaDr. Daphne Mavrides, Dr. Eleni Gentekaki 2025-02-032025-06-022025-02-03Open
VeterinaryHealth-Life SciencesExploring the Potential of CADD in the Treatment of Canine Inherited DiseasesBiomedical InformaticsRemoteDr. Manos C. Vlasiou2025-09-012025-06-302025-05-30Expired
VeterinaryNarrative ReviewFlies: Impact on health, welfare and productivity of ruminantsOtherUNIC Medical Center NicosiaDr. Konstantinos Arsenopoulos2025-01-312025-09-152025-01-31Expired
MedicalNarrative ReviewTakotsubo cardiomyopathy and coronary artery diseaseCardiologyUNIC Medical Center NicosiaDr. George Bazoukis 2024-08-122025-05-162024-12-12Expired
MedicalEducationIntegration of Medical Cases in Chemistry Labs in the first year of Traditional Medical CurriculumOtherRemoteDr. Stella Loizou 2024-05-082024-10-302024-05-10Open
VeterinaryClinical ReasearchInvestigating the gut microbiome of dairy cattleOtherRemoteDr. Daphne Mavrides, Dr. Eleni Gentekaki2024-09-012025-01-302024-10-25Expired
Medical, MasterNarrative ReviewFrom Cure to Prevention: Doxycycline's Potential in STD ProphylaxisInfectious DiseasesRemoteDr. Danny Alon Ellenbogen2024-12-012025-04-152024-11-15Expired
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Project Description:

Supervisor's Email:

Supervisor's Affiliation:

Research News

311, 2025

UNIC-led study finds diarrhoea-causing parasite in Cyprus dairy cattle

UNIC-led study finds diarrhoea-causing parasite in Cyprus dairy cattle Research highlights need for further study to assess public health significance A collaborative study by Dr Daphne Mavrides and Dr Eleni Gentekaki, faculty members at the University of Nicosia School of Veterinary Medicine, has provided the first nationwide overview [...]

1806, 2025

UNIC research presented at European veterinary forums

UNIC research presented at European veterinary forums June 2025 The School of Veterinary Medicine contributed research findings at two European veterinary conferences in May 2025, focusing on cattle health management and parasitic disease control. The European Buiatrics Congress 2025 (15-16 May) in Nantes, France, hosted 450 participants [...]

2805, 2025

From Cyprus to Tenerife: Tracking goat health

From Cyprus to Tenerife: Tracking goat health 22 May 2025 Associate Professor of Cattle & Herd Medicine Konstantinos Arsenopoulos attended recently the European Regional Conference of the International Goat Association (IGA) in Tenerife, Spain. Dr Arsenopoulos presented research findings from Greek and Cypriot dairy goat populations, including [...]

1205, 2025

Voskarides et al. link PTSD to lupus risk in research study

Voskarides et al. link PTSD to lupus risk in research study Monday, 12 May 2025 A study involving Professor Konstantinos Voskarides from UNIC Health has identified connections between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), commonly known as lupus. The research, published in ‘Rheumatology Oxford’, [...]

811, 2024

Findings on equine piroplasmosis presented at the island of Menorca, Spain

Friday, 08 November 2024 On Wednesday, 6 November 2024, Clinical Assistant Professor of Anatomy and Animal Health at the School of Veterinary Medicine Sergi Olvera-Maneu, presented the initial findings of his research on equine piroplasmosis in Menorca, Spain. The study, titled Sero-molecular Analysis and Associated Risk Factors with [...]

WHO WE ARE

The University of Nicosia started the first School of Veterinary Medicine in Cyprus. Over the past two decades, UNIC has led the development of life and health sciences programmes in Cyprus, attracting students from more than 100 countries around the world.

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