Biography and previous work

I was born (December 1989) in Larnaca in Cyprus. I completed my secondary education In 2007, obtaining a School Leavers Certificate (APOLYTERION) from the Archbishop Makarios III Lyceum in Larnaca. From 2007-2012 I studied in the Physics Department in the University of Crete. From 2012-2014 I continued with a Master’s degree in Geophysics in the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Germany. I started my PhD research in October 2014 in the department of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom, specialising in natural composites sourced from natural fibres.

Current work

My PhD research focuses on the use of natural fibres (sourced from plant and animal resources) with a final goal of manufacturing a bio-bio composite material and improving bio-synthetic interface properties. Currently I am working on Flax and Jute fibres, which are taken from the base of the plant. I use tensile tests to identify the mechanical properties of both fibre bundles and single fibres. Part of my research is to identify the mechanical properties of natural fibre bundles, single fibres and the effect of moisture absorption on their properties. I am also working on a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in order to evaluate the efficiency of the raw material, taking into account the manufacturing process and the overall disposal.

Personal interests

My hobbies include playing classical music - piano and guitar - and pastry making.