Our Team
Principal Investigator
Alexey V. Yaremenko, Ph.D.
Dr. Alexey Yaremenko is a molecular biologist and biomedical researcher specializing in nanomedicine, gene therapy, biomaterials, and drug delivery. With a strong multidisciplinary background in molecular biology, biotechnology, applied mathematics, and physics, he develops cutting-edge therapeutic platforms at the intersection of genetics, nanotechnology, and precision medicine. His expertise lies in designing nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems, engineered biomaterials, and bacterial-based cancer therapies, with applications in oncology, regenerative medicine, and ophthalmology.
Dr. Yaremenko was a Fulbright Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School, where he worked under the guidance of Professor Wei Tao at the Center for Nanomedicine directed by Professor Omid Farokhzad at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. His research focused on mRNA therapeutics, nanoparticle-based gene delivery systems, and precision nanomedicine for cancer immunotherapy, leading to multiple publications in top-tier scientific journals. His work has contributed to next-generation gene editing technologies, biomaterial engineering for regenerative medicine, and advanced drug delivery platforms.
An active member of the global biomedical research community, Dr. Yaremenko has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Fulbright Fellowship and Nobel Laureate J. Alferov’s Award for Young Scientists. His research has been cited extensively, and his collaborations span leading institutions worldwide. Passionate about scientific innovation and clinical translation, he continues to push the boundaries of precision medicine and therapeutic nanotechnology.
Editorial activity:
Guest Editor: Life, special issue “Advances in Biomedical Frontier Technologies and Disease Diagnosis”
Guest Editor: Current Drug Delivery, special issue: “Innovative Nanomaterials for Enhanced Drug Delivery”
Senior Researcher
Nadezhda A. Pechnikova
Nadezhda Pechnikova is a multidisciplinary biologist with expertise in bioinformatics, preclinical research, and experimental medicine. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in "Host-Microbe Interactions" at the University of Thessaly, where she investigates the complex relationships between microorganisms and their hosts. In parallel, she is actively engaged in regenerative medicine and biomaterials research at Aristotle University, contributing to tissue engineering and therapeutic development.
Her research focuses on experimental pharmacology and medicine, particularly the development and evaluation of novel therapeutic compounds. She specializes in bioinformatics analysis of genetic mutations linked to hereditary diseases, using computational tools to study their molecular mechanisms. Additionally, her work in experimental microbiology explores microbial behavior, antibiotic resistance, and host-pathogen interactions, with applications in infectious disease treatment and cancer bacteriotherapy.
Beyond academia, she works as a business analyst, consulting investment firms on clinical trials conducted by public pharmaceutical companies. Her expertise includes assessing the potential clinical and market success of drug candidates in ongoing trials. With a strong foundation in both experimental and computational research, she aims to bridge the gap between fundamental biology, translational medicine, and biotechnology-driven innovation.
Malamati Poimenidou, B.Sc., MBA
Malamati Poimenidou holds a B.Sc. in Nursing from the University of Thessaly and an MBA in Healthcare and Welfare Units from the International Hellenic University. Currently, she is pursuing a medical degree at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, integrating clinical medicine with healthcare management to advance patient care and therapeutic innovation.
Her research focuses on new therapies and drug discovery, particularly in gene therapy, mRNA delivery, and resistant bacteria treatment. She is also engaged in otorhinolaryngology and ophthalmology, exploring novel treatments for hearing and vision disorders. With a strong background in both clinical medicine and healthcare systems, her work aims to optimize patient care, precision medicine, and translational research for improved medical outcomes.
Ioannis Iliadis, M.D.
Ioannis Iliadis obtained his M.D. from the Medical University of Sofia and is currently a resident in Ophthalmology as well as a postgraduate student in Ophthalmic Surgery at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. His research is dedicated to advancing ocular treatments, focusing on ophthalmic surgery, ocular drug delivery, and vision restoration technologies.
His work explores gene therapy and cellular technologies for treating ocular diseases and vision loss, including uveal melanoma and degenerative retinal disorders. Additionally, he is involved in regenerative medicine and corneal transplantation, developing innovative approaches to restore sight and improve patient outcomes in ophthalmology. His research aims to bridge cutting-edge biomedical advancements with clinical applications to improve vision care.
Tamara V. Yaremenko, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Tamara Yaremenko is an ophthalmologist specializing in retinal diseases, ocular surgery, and advanced drug delivery systems for vision restoration. With extensive clinical and research expertise, she focuses on neuroprotection in glaucoma, innovative treatments for macular degeneration, and laser-based interventions for ocular disorders. She has performed numerous laser surgeries and is skilled in cutting-edge procedures for retinal vascular diseases, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration.
Her research explores nanoparticle-based ocular drug delivery, metal-organic frameworks for sustained therapeutic release, engineered lenses for targeted therapy, and gene delivery strategies for retinal regeneration. She is particularly interested in precision medicine approaches for treating vision loss and restoring ocular function through regenerative technologies. By integrating ophthalmic surgery with nanomedicine, she contributes to the development of novel therapies that enhance patient outcomes in ophthalmology.
Maria Zafeiriou-Chatziefraimidou
Maria Chatziefraimiou Zafeiriou is a medical student at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with a strong interest in clinical medicine, translational research, and patient-centered healthcare. Her academic focus includes internal medicine, infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and novel therapeutic strategies.
Her research interests lie in drug delivery systems, gene therapy, and mRNA vaccines, particularly in their applications for infectious disease treatment, immune modulation, and chronic disease management. She is also interested in precision medicine and regenerative therapies, exploring innovative approaches to enhance immune responses, improve targeted drug delivery, and develop advanced treatment modalities for complex medical conditions.
Chrysi Patsidou, B.Sc.
Chrysi Patsidou is a molecular biologist with expertise in genetics and biotechnology. A graduate of the Department of Biology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, she specialized in molecular biology, genetics, and biotechnology, completing an internship in karyotype analysis and contributing to genetics research projects. Currently, she is pursuing a degree in medicine at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, integrating genetics and biomedical sciences to advance medical research.
Her research focuses on the genetic basis of disease inheritance, bacterial genetic modification for biotechnology, microbial evolution, and mRNA vaccines, aiming to develop innovative applications in medicine and biotechnology.