Meet the Lab
Lab Director
Andria Shimi
Andria is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychology at the University of Cyprus and directs the MADLab.
Click here for a short Bio.
PhD students
Anna Papantoni
Anna is a PhD student in Psychology at the Department of Psychology of the University of Cyprus, under the supervision of Dr Andria Shimi and during the last three years, she has been working as a Special Research Scientist at MADLab. Anna holds a BA degree in Psychology from the University of Cyprus (2011) and a degree in Business Administration from the Cooperative State University of Heilbronn in Germany (2017) funded by Lidl Stiftung & Co.KG, Germany. During her studies in Germany, she was trained as an Area Manager and she researched employee satisfaction and workplace motivation. She also completed a 3-year MSc degree in Counselling Psychology at Neapolis University Paphos (2020). During the last year of her postgraduate studies, she worked as a trainee Counselling Psychologist at the Counselling Center of Neapolis University and the Counselling Center Ithaki (Kenthea), while for her MSc thesis she examined the relationship between work-related stress, substance abuse, and resilience. Before joining MADLab, Anna worked as a Special Scientist (administrative support) at the UCY Center for Applied Neuroscience and as a researcher at the Experimental Psychology Lab at the University of Cyprus.
Mara Michailidou
Mara is a PhD student in Clinical Psychology. She graduated with a BSc degree in Psychology from the University of Glasgow. She holds an MSc in Clinical Psychology from Utrecht University, through which she acquired and developed fundamental knowledge and skills in evidence-based psychotherapies and became familiar with prevailing research methods in the field of clinical psychology. Her interest in working with children and adolescents further flourished through her various internship placements in Scotland and Cyprus. For her PhD thesis, she will investigate the impact loneliness has on cognitive skills during transitional periods, among children.
MA students
Eleni Christodoulou
Eleni is enrolled in the Master’s program in School Psychology at the University of Cyprus. She holds a BSc in Psychology from the University of Reading and an MSc in Child Development from the University College London, for which she was awarded the Prakesh de Silva Prize for outstanding merit. During her undergraduate studies, Eleni examined the impact of cocoa flavanols on memory and mood in neurotypical adults. As part of her postgraduate studies, she examined the mental and physical health and motor coordination differences between autistic and neurotypical families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, Eleni gained extensive experience in London, while working with atypical and neurotypical populations in kindergartens, schools and care homes. Eleni’s academic and practical experience instilled a sense of commitment and determination to better understand the cognitive processes that promote development and the factors which may hinder it. Therefore, Eleni is hoping that with her passion for scientific research and practical experience, she will be able to contribute to the formation and delivery of effective interventions that promote child development.
Iliana Pamboridou
Iliana is enrolled in the Master’s program in School Psychology at the University of Cyprus. She completed her BSc in Psychology at the University of Leicester, where her dissertation, titled “Unveiling Academic Performance: The Interplay of Curiosity and Working Memory among University Students”, investigated the relationship between curiosity, working memory and academic performance. Her internships and volunteer work at private institutions and summer schools have provided her with valuable experience working with diverse populations, shaping her professional interests and solidifying her determination to focus on the psychological development and well-being of children and adolescents.
Elpida Trattou
Elpida is a postgraduate student in the Master’s program of School Psychology and holds a BA degree in Psychology from the University of Cyprus. She is passionate about the scientific exploration of the mind and behaviour, particularly in children, and aims to contribute to the school community as a School Psychologist. Elpida has gained valuable practical teaching experience in various roles, including as a summer school teacher and a kindergrarden teacher’s assistant.