Elena obtained a BSc (Hons) in Molecular Biology from the University of Patras (Greece) in 2005, following an MRes in Biotechnology from the same University (2005-2008). She was awarded a 2-year Research Fellowship sponsored by the Hellenic Institute of Research and Technology as part of her post graduate studies.
Elena holds a PhD in Immunology of infectious diseases from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM). Her thesis was focused on the impact of nasal pneumococcal colonisation on the lung immune landscape.
After the completion of her post-doctoral training (2019-2021), Elena was promoted to Senior Research Associate.
Research
Her research focuses on:
- host and pathogen interactions during respiratory bacterial and viral (SARS-CoV-2, RSV and flu) co-infection
- Mucosal (nasal and lung) immune responses to respiratory pathogens
- Identifying correlates of susceptibility to respiratory infections in susceptible groups, such the elderly and children.
Projects
• Treatment of Respiratory Infections with Inhaled Antimicrobials (EPSRC Award to Dr Elena Mitsi & Prof D. Ferreira)
• Investigation of the breadth and longevity of immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 (Pfizer grant awarded to Dr Elena Mitsi)
• SARS-CoV-2 and S. pneumoniae interactions during COVID-19 disease (Pfizer grant awarded to Dr Elena Mitsi & Prof D. Ferreira)
• Impact of pneumococcal colonisation and of Live Attenuated and Inactivated virus in the human lung (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation award to Dr Elena Mitsi & Prof D. Ferreira)
Teaching
During her MSc (2005 - 2008) she was teaching undergraduate students PCR and ELISA techniques in Molecular Biology practical courses. Since 2013 she has been teaching the laboratory session on pneumonia and respiratory health for the MSc Tropical Infectious Diseases course at LSTM.
Current Projects
SARS-CoV-2 and S. pneumoniae interactions during COVID-19 disease- Pfizer granted to Dr Elena Mitsi & Prof Daniela Ferreira
Impact of pneumococcal colonisation and of Live Attenuated and Inactivated virus in the human lung- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to Dr Elena Mitsi & Prof Daniela Ferreira
Effect vaccines on Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage – Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant to Dr. Daniela Ferreira.