The talk delves into the personal journey of the speaker, starting with childhood experiences witnessing the impact of cancer within their family. It then transitions to their career as a scientist, highlighting advancements in cancer research and treatment options. The speaker discusses the prevalence and impact of cancer globally, emphasizing the need for improved diagnostics, personalized treatments, and holistic care. They introduce innovative approaches such as utilizing microRNAs and extracellular vesicles for early detection and targeted therapy, as well as bioprinting for organ regeneration. The talk concludes with a call for compassionate palliative care and a commitment to improving the quality of life for those affected by cancer, linking back to the speaker's initial childhood reflections and emphasizing a collective effort towards progress in cancer care. Dr. Marianna Prokopi-Demetriades stands at the forefront of biotechnology innovation. As a trailblazing inventor and entrepreneur, she has co-founded three biotech companies that have garnered recognition from Deloitte for their groundbreaking impact. RSL Revolutionary Labs Ltd, established in 2018, develops dermaceuticals to alleviate the skin side effects associated with cancer therapies. In 2017, she co-launched Promed Bioscience Ltd, which is at the cutting edge of 3D-atelocollagen for bioprinting artificial organs. Theramir Ltd, founded in 2016, combines nanotechnology and microRNAs to pioneer precision cancer therapies. Her role extends to academia as a Clinical Associate Professor in Research Oncology, where her research contributes to revolutionizing personalized cancer treatments and significantly enhancing patient care on a global scale.
A recipient of the Forbes 20WomenInTech Award Cyprus 2023 and the TechIsland Award Rising Star 2023, Dr. Prokopi-Demetriades's work has been widely celebrated. In 2022, she was honored with the King’s Distinguished Alumni Award in STEM, reflecting her educational roots at King’s College London and her significant contributions to the field. The Republic of Cyprus recognized her as the Young Researcher Award in Life Sciences 2021, and she received the Madame Figaro Woman of the Year in Innovation Award in 2020. Her influence extends beyond the lab; she holds the prestigious CIM Honorary Fellow title from the Cyprus Institute of Marketing, acknowledging her significant economic impact on the region. Committed to continuous professional development, she has further enriched her leadership skills with Executive Education in Transformational Leadership from the University of Cambridge, Judge Business School in 2023.
Dr. Prokopi-Demetriades's dedication to societal advancement is evident in her participation on esteemed boards such as the ENAVSMA Foundation and the ICC Women Network Cyprus. Her commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators shines through her active mentoring roles with ARIS/Deloitte, JA Junior Achievement Cyprus, the AIPFE Cyprus/Women of Europe, The STEAM Academy, Falling Walls Female Science Talents, and the King’s Leadership Mentoring Programme. In the past year, Dr. Prokopi-Demetriades led her team to secure a landmark 3 million euros in corporate venture capital funding. This investment has enabled the creation of a state-of-the-art biotech hub within Limassol's ASBIS Hi-tech Cluster. This hub is a center of excellence, integrating research and development, testing, marketing, manufacturing, and operations, and serves as a collaborative incubator for specialized biotech firms. With a clear vision of global expansion, Dr. Prokopi-Demetriades and her team are dedicated to developing innovative solutions that are set to redefine the biotech industry. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx