Dr Nikolaos Mastroyiannopoulos appointed new Chairman of RIF’s Board of Directors

Chief Scientist for Research and Innovation of the Republic of Cyprus takes the helm of the Foundation, according to RIF’s charter

Dr Nikolaos Mastroyiannopoulos has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Research and Innovation Foundation’s (RIF) Board of Directors, following his appointment as Chief Scientist for Research and Innovation of the Republic of Cyprus at the beginning of March.

Following the establishment of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy and the appointment of Mr Kyriacos Kokkinos as the new Deputy Minister, Dr Mastroyiannopouloshas taken up the position of the Foundation’s ex officio Board Chairman, based on RIF’s charter.

The Board of Directors is the Foundation’s highest governing body and is responsible for providing guidance and strategic planning, while the Chief Scientist is appointed as the Board’s ex officio Chairman.

Dr Nikolaos Mastroyiannopoulos has long and extensive experience in Molecular Biology, in which he holds a doctorate. He also has a degree in Biomedical Science. He has been working at the Department of Molecular Genetics, Function and Therapy of the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics since 2016. In 2012, he was appointed Lecturer at the Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine (CSMM), and now holds the position of Assistant Professor. His research focuses on developing gene therapeutic approaches for muscular dystrophy and genetic heart disorders. He has also served as an Elected Board Member of the Cyprus Society of Human Genetics.

In his statements, Dr Mastroyiannopoulos said he was taking on the dual role of Chief Scientist for Research and Innovation of the Republic of Cyprus as well as Chairman of RIF’s Board of Directors, at a time when research and innovation could and should reinforce the Cyprus economy but also society in general. “During this admittedly difficult period, we have a duty to push forward, with the aim of inspiring but also actively supporting young scientists and young entrepreneurs.” He also added that “the laid foundations are solid and based on the priorities that have been set, we will move with even greater determination and will towards implementing our strategic goals. There is still a lot to do and I am convinced that with team spirit and hard work, we can make it.”

The Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Kyriacos Kokkinos, who has the political responsibility of overseeing the RIF as well as the Chief Scientist, wished Dr Mastroyiannopoulos every success in the difficult task he has taken on, while he also thanked RIF’s Board members for their excellent cooperation during his chairmanship of the Board. He stressed that today research and innovation have even greater potential to become main drivers of growthfor the Cyprus economy. “The knowledge and experience of RIF’s new Board members, create excellent conditions and great expectations for the Foundation to achieve its goals. The recent restructuring of RIF’s organisational structure, and its reinforcement with high calibre and capable members, under the leadership of Dr Mastroyiannopoulos, significantly contributes to its strategic priorities and achieving its goals.”

It is worth noting that the RIF has already taken up an extended role as the executive arm of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy. Within this context, the Foundation’s leadership has been enhanced with the appointment of new members, who have taken up key positions within the RIF. Specifically, the Foundation recently appointed Theodoros Loucaides as its Director General and Charis Anastasiadou as the Head of Human Resources.