Irene Mavromanolaki

Ms Irene Mavromanolaki is the co-founder and CEO of the Discovery Foundation, a non-profit organization focusing on education, research, and innovation issues around healthcare technologies. She has studied Hellenic and European Culture in the Open University of Cyprus, Tourism Management, as well as International Project Administration and Management at the University of Athens.

She has been a Project Manager in a series of European projects, as well as in many national projects funded in Greece and Cyprus. At Discovery, she oversees the management of EU projects, the implementation of outreach activities, the design and implementation of marketing and branding campaigns, and she contributes to the financial planning and projections

Paraskevi Smargianaki

Ms Paraskevi Smargianaki is the CFO at the Discovery Foundation. She received a B.S. in Economics from the University of Piraeus, an MBA from University of Cyprus, and a Professional Diploma in Auditing and Accounting from the Institute of Certified Public Auditors of Greece. She brings more than 17 years of financial and auditing experience. Her MBA and numerous Open Innovation Courses at Berkley University provided her with opportunities to get involved in several start-ups engaged in business modelling and innovation.

She participates as a mentor in meetups sharing business ideas, new technologies, as well as start-up and innovative thoughts. Her personal mission is to empower others to create and innovate, because great people, ideas, and technology can change the world.

Dr. Maria Vliora

Maria Vliora is a molecular biologist with a multidisciplinary background in biomedical research. She holds a PhD in Biomedical Research, jointly awarded by the University of Thessaly (Greece) and the University of Brescia (Italy). Her doctoral work focused on investigating the metabolic mechanisms underlying the browning of white adipose tissue, a process with significant implications for obesity and metabolic disease research.

Throughout her scientific career, Maria has contributed to several areas of biomedical research. She has studied immunoglobulin gene mutations in patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and investigated ALK mutations and downstream signaling pathways in Neuroblastoma. Additionally, she has explored how environmental factors influence human health and has worked on the development and application of novel biodegradable bio-scaffolds for the allografting of adipose-derived stem cells.

Over the past several years, Maria has been actively involved in numerous European and internationally funded research projects. She has collaborated with esteemed research institutions and organizations across Europe, contributing to initiatives aimed at improving human health and wellbeing.

In the SONOCRAFT project, Maria is responsible for managing the dissemination, communication, and exploitation of the project’s results. She ensures that the project's innovations reach the appropriate scientific, industrial, and public audiences while maximizing its impact and aligning with European research policy goals.

Dr. Eleni Angelaki

Eleni Angelaki holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Crete, a Master’s degree in Business Economics and Management from CIHEAM (International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies) in Paris, and a PhD in Economics and Business from the Technical University of Crete. Her doctoral research explored the evolving role of trust in social media and its impact on customer churn, bridging the fields of digital behavior and business strategy.

With a multidisciplinary background and professional experience spanning research, teaching, hospitality, media, and public affairs, Eleni brings a unique combination of analytical and communication skills to her work. She has held positions in both the public and private sectors, applying her academic knowledge in real-world contexts.

In the SONOCRAFT project, Eleni contributes to the communication, dissemination, and stakeholder engagement strategy. She ensures that the project’s progress and outcomes are effectively communicated to diverse audiences helping to maximize SONOCRAFT’s visibility and societal impact