Assist. Prof. Dr. Efthymia Iliana Matthaiou, Albany Medical College, United States
Efthymia Iliana Matthaiou, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at Albany Medical College, NY, specializing in fungal infections and immunology. With a solid background in nanotechnology, immuno-oncology, and drug development, she leads cutting-edge translational research, developing novel therapies and diagnostics. Her expertise spans lung transplantation, cystic fibrosis, and autoimmune diseases. Dr. Matthaiou has a strong commitment to mentoring students, postdocs, and collaborators, and has been a key figure in advancing the study of fungal pathogens, including Aspergillus species. She holds several prestigious fellowships and grants, and has contributed significantly to scientific publications, particularly in the fields of immunology, transplantation, and nanomedicine.
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Suitability for the “Best Researcher” Award: Efthymia Iliana Matthaiou, PhD
Summary of Suitability:
Dr. Efthymia Iliana Matthaiou is an exceptional candidate for the “Best Researcher” award due to her extensive and pioneering contributions in the fields of microbiology, immunology, and fungal infections. With a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania and Democritus University of Thrace, Dr. Matthaiou has advanced research into the molecular mechanisms of diseases such as cystic fibrosis and invasive fungal infections, focusing on immunomodulatory therapies and bioanalytical strategies.
🎓Education:
Dr. Matthaiou completed her postdoctoral training at Stanford University in 2020, focusing on lung immunology and transplantation. She earned her PhD from the University of Pennsylvania and Democritus University of Thrace in 2017, where her research centered on nanotechnology, immuno-oncology, and drug development. She graduated with the highest honors from Democritus University of Thrace with a BSc in 2011, marking the beginning of her promising scientific career.
🏢Experience:
Dr. Matthaiou is currently an Assistant Professor at Albany Medical College, where she leads a research laboratory focused on fungal infections and lung transplantation. Before this, she was a Lead Senior Scientist at Stanford University, leading several research initiatives on lung microenvironment, cystic fibrosis, and Aspergillus-related diseases. Her work includes developing immunomodulatory nanotherapies and studying host-pathogen interactions. She has also served as a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford, focusing on invasive aspergillosis in pediatric lung transplant patients and mentoring new hires and trainees.
🏅Awards and Honors:
Dr. Matthaiou has received several prestigious awards and fellowships, including the 2024 NCCAT-GUP3 Cryo-EM grant, for which she serves as Principal Investigator. She was also a Fellow of the 2022 Women’s Leadership Innovation Lab and received the 2019 Stanford MCHRI Postdoctoral Award, funding her research on innate immunity defects in cystic fibrosis and Aspergillus infections. These accolades highlight her leadership and contributions to the fields of immunology, transplantation, and infectious diseases.
🔬Research Focus:
Dr. Matthaiou’s research focuses on the intersection of fungal infections, immunology, and nanomedicine. Her work investigates the immune mechanisms that contribute to Aspergillus-related diseases, especially in the context of lung transplantation and cystic fibrosis. She is also exploring novel therapeutic approaches, such as nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery, to treat invasive aspergillosis. In addition, her research delves into macrophage dysregulation and its role in promoting fungal invasion, with the aim of developing immunomodulatory treatments to mitigate infection and improve patient outcomes.
Publication Top Notes:
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Title: Shikonin-loaded antibody-armed nanoparticles for targeted therapy of ovarian cancer
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Title: Tumor endothelial marker 1–specific DNA vaccination targets tumor vasculature
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Title: Iron: an essential nutrient for Aspergillus fumigatus and a fulcrum for pathogenesis
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Title: Tumour endothelial marker 1/endosialin-mediated targeting of human sarcoma
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Title: The safety and tolerability of pirfenidone for bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome after hematopoietic cell transplant (STOP-BOS) trial