Maria Viktoratou

Chapter Leader

I graduated from Oxford Brookes University in 2016 and gained my BSc degree in Applied Accounting (via partnership with ACCA association). I further hold an MSc in Banking & Finance from Hellenic Open University and I am a Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA) and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). For the last 16 years I have been working in the banking industry and gained considerable experience and exposure in the international environment in a number of leading Greek Banking Groups. I currently work as Senior Operational Risk Analyst for the International Subsidiaries (in Serbia, Bulgaria, Luxembourg and Cyprus) at Eurobank Group. I previously held a team leader role in Eurobank’s Group Integration Projects (Group Finance Division) working mainly as Country Coordinator and liaison for the Countries CFOs for all finance, audit and other related matters in the SEE territory and managing several due diligence and finance projects. I feel like Oxford Brookes gave me the shift I needed in my career by being an alumna from a prestigious UK University. I hope that our Greece & Cyprus Alumni Chapter will expand further and find more alumni to connect and spread Oxford Brookes' new achievements and initiatives.

Dr Vasileios Balis

Deputy Leader / Secretary

Dr Vasileios Balis is a Biologist, graduate of Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, U.K. [BSc (Hons) Biology], holds a postgraduate diploma in Biomedical Sciences, Cell Pathology (PgDip, in Biomedical Sciences, Cellular Pathology) from the University of Bradford, U.K. and a Doctorate of Medicine (PhD) of the medical school of the University of Crete.

He has more than 16 years of research and teaching experience in biology, molecular biology, medicine, biomedicine, virology, cancer research and stem cells and has participated as a researcher and has worked as a lecturer in the laboratories of the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and as an applications expert in relative fields in Greece (AUTH, UOC), with corresponding publications in international scientific journals and conferences.

He has also been a shareholder and manager of a medical diagnostics company, as well as laboratory director and director of research and development at a private stem cell storage bank. He also holds a training title related to the Organization of the Research of Pharmaceutical and Parapharmaceutical Products. He has also conducted research in the University of California Los Angeles at the School of Medicine in the USA and in Cancer Research U.K. in the United Kingdom and is currently engaged in research on therapeutic applications of stem cells. He is also a member of the Panhellenic Association of Bioscientists (PEV), the Hellenic Society of Biological Sciences (EEBE), the Hellenic Society for the Study of Regenerative Medicine (EEMAI) and the Royal Society of Biology, UK.

He currently works at the Metropolitan College (Campus Thessaloniki) as Programme Leader in MSc Medical Genetics and Genomics (Oxford Brookes University) and at BSc (Hons) Podiatry (Queen Margaret University) and as a Lecturer of the Health Sciences Department in Biomedical Sciences, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Dietetics, Podiatry, Psychology, Medical Genetics and Genomics, where he is also in charge of the Laboratory of Biomedical Sciences.

Dr Balis is also a business consultant at Future Crossroads Consultants. In addition to his international research and academic experience, he has special potential for extroversion as well as connecting the private sector of health services and research in Life Sciences.

Magda Peistikou

Events Officer

MSc International Hospitality and Tourism

Panagiotis Meliadis

Marketing & Communication Officer / Engagement Officer

Panagiotis Meliadis graduated in 2016 from Oxford Brookes University with a BSc in Business Management and Psychology. In 2017 completed his first postgraduate program in e-Business and Digital Marketing at the International Hellenic University and a year after completed his second master's degree in Digital Media, Communication, and Journalism (Pathway in Risk Communication) at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

While studying at Oxford University he established the Hellenic Society of Oxford Brookes University (affiliated with the Student Union) and was elected to be the president for two years. Along with excessive members of the committee board and in collaboration with the Oxford University Greek Society, he promoted the community and held constant events to raise funds for local charities (Oxford Homeless Pathways) as well as global NGOs that supported refugees in Lesvos island (Proactiva Open Arms).

Once he completed his postgraduate studies he co-founded KONSEPT in Thessaloniki (GR) under the framework of Social Solidarity Economy. That was a co-op initiative that provided top-notch services such as business planning, financial and legal services, and marketing to local co-ops.

Meanwhile, he was assigned to develop and implement the strategic communication plan of two political candidates in the national and municipal elections. Drafting speeches, developing social media content and campaigns, and building relationships with the local and the national press were just a few of his responsibilities.

In 2019 he co-founded a start-up oriented in storytelling and augmented reality, based in Milan (IT) when he also launched Artelot mobile app exclusively for iOS.

To date, Panagiotis is working as a Marketing Manager in the F&B industry located in Thessaloniki (GR) and as a freelancer UI/UX and web designer, social media, content, and campaign manager.