Dr Eleni Christoforidou, PhD, AFHEA

Dr Eleni Christoforidou, PhD, AFHEA

Neuroscience PhD | Science Communicator | STEM educator | Skilled in molecular, cellular, and biochemical techniques, RNA sequencing, bioinformatics, microscopy, and image analysis.

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Awards & Achievements

Winner of the Research Image Competition 2022

Jun 2022, Festival of Doctoral Research, University of Sussex

Read more about the competition here.

The winning image. These are neurons under the microscope. Filaments of motor neurons (the neurons that instruct muscles to contract or relax) are shown in green, and the connection between neurons and muscles is shown in red.
The winning image. These are neurons under the microscope. Filaments of motor neurons (the neurons that instruct muscles to contract or relax) are shown in green, and the connection between neurons and muscles is shown in red.

Neuroscience PGR student representative

Oct 2019 – Sept 2020, University of Sussex

I was elected by my peers to represent all neuroscience postgraduate research students at the university for one academic year. I received the Student Rep Bronze Award for my engagement and commitment to the role. My role involved collecting student feedback and presenting student opinions to university staff, to improve the quality of courses, and resolve any issues affecting students such as study spaces, assessments, deadlines, or other things impacting their academic experience.

Importantly, I sat on the Periodic Review for Life Sciences panel to help review the quality and standards of the School’s educational provision over time and to ensure that the curriculum is aligned to the University's strategies and policies. With the help of other student reps within the School, I was also responsible for organising the Life Sciences PhD Symposium 2020.

I was a panel member of the following: School of Life Sciences Research Degree Committee, School of Life Sciences Student Experience Group, Neuroscience Board of Study Meeting, Life Sciences Periodic Review.

Transferable skills: communication, event organisation, leadership, negotiation, problem-solving, diplomacy, strategic thinking.

Founder and President of the Glasgow University Organ Donation Society

Jan 2016 – Jun 2017, University of Glasgow

I created an affiliation with the university's Student Representative Council and I formed a partnership with the Scottish Government’s National Health Service to assist them in increasing donations to their Blood and Transplant Department by raising awareness of the need for more organ donors.

Transferable skills: leadership, communication, forming and maintaining partnerships.

Head of College Scholars' List Scheme

Sep 2014 – Jun 2016, University of Glasgow

I was added to this Scheme as a recognition of my outstanding undergraduate Level 2 and Level 3 performance (I placed in the top 10% of all life sciences, medical, veterinary, and dentistry undergraduate students in my year group in assessments), and because I took an active part in the associated extracurricular activities of the scheme.

Student Representative in the School of Life Sciences

Sep 2014 – May 2015, University of Glasgow

I was elected by my peers to represent all second-year life sciences students at a staff-student liaison committee and several smaller meetings. I facilitated communication between students and staff, and provided feedback in order to produce a constructive change within the course.

Transferable skills: negotiation, conflict management, public speaking.

School Prizes and Scholarships

Jun 2007 – Jun 2012, St Mary's School

  • Full one-year Scholarship for outstanding academic performance in 2010-2011.
  • Three end-of-year Academic Distinctions from 2010 to 2012.
  • Ten 1st Prizes for outstanding academic performance in: Computers (2013), Accounting (2010, 2011, 2012), English (2010, 2011), Text Production (2010, 2011), Italian (2011), Science (2007).
  • Two 2nd Prizes for outstanding academic performance in: Mathematics (2012), Computers (2010).