February 2026 – The Elena Iliopoulou Giama Foundation – Cancer Research and Scholarship Foundation, with the support of Giant Heart, the social responsibility initiative of Novibet, has awarded a new scholarship to Elena Thanou, a PhD candidate in the Department of Chemistry at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

Ms. Thanou’s research focuses on developing molecular methodologies for the simultaneous detection of multiple prognostic and predictive biomarkers in saliva and blood samples from cancer patients. Her work has already received recognition through awards for both oral and poster presentations at national and international scientific conferences.

Ms. Thanou was selected from among several distinguished doctoral candidates of Greek origin studying at universities in Greece and abroad, following a series of interviews with members of the Foundation’s Scientific Committee and Board of Trustees.

The two-year scholarship will enable the Foundation’s new scholar to dedicate herself fully to her research while also supporting her participation in scientific conferences and European and national research programs.

Spyros Giamas, President and Founder of the Elena Iliopoulou Giama Foundation, stated:
“We warmly welcome Elena to the family of scholars of our Foundation and are delighted to support our first scholar studying at a Greek university. Elena stood out for her academic excellence, her character, and the innovative nature of her research. We sincerely thank Novibet for its generous sponsorship and trust in our Foundation. This donation enables a brilliant young scientist to pursue her research without obstacles, contributing to scientific progress in the prognosis and treatment of cancer.”

Elona Poukamisa, Head of Corporate Communications, PR & CSR at Novibet, commented:
“Every young scientist who is given the means to continue her research brings us one step closer to a better future. Through the Giant Heart social impact program, we choose to support initiatives with meaningful and tangible impact that can truly make a difference. We are also particularly proud that this scholarship strengthens the presence of women in science and highlights the role and power of women in research. Our continued collaboration with the Elena Iliopoulou Giama Foundation, and the scholarship awarded to Elena Thanou, represent for us an act of responsibility and hope.”

The new scholar and ambassador of the Foundation, Elena Thanou, added:
“Receiving the scholarship from the Elena Iliopoulou Giama Foundation is both a great honor and a significant responsibility to meet the expectations that accompany it. The recognition of my research efforts through financial support is particularly important, as it enables me to participate in scientific conferences and related academic activities, which are an integral part of my scientific training. At the same time, this scholarship serves as a strong motivation to continue my doctoral research 

Short Biography of Elena Thanou

Elena Thanou holds a degree from the Department of Chemistry at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and a Master’s degree from the interdepartmental postgraduate program “Clinical Biochemistry – Molecular Diagnostics.”

Since 2024, she has been pursuing her PhD in Analytical Chemistry at the University of Athens, Department of Chemistry, focusing on the development of molecular methodologies for detecting biomarkers in cancer patients.

She has presented her research at national and international conferences, receiving awards for both oral and poster presentations, and has contributed to publications in scientific journals. She is fluent in English, German, Spanish, and French.

She also presented her research on 3D tissue-engineered skin disease models at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting 2025 in Boston, the world’s largest conference for chemical engineers. 

In parallel, she published a research article in ACS Bioconjugate Chemistry describing the development of a peptide-based fluorescent biosensing platform for the detection of melanoma biomarkers, contributing to advances in early diagnosis and monitoring of skin cancer. 

She is currently undertaking a doctoral research placement at the Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, working within the team of Professor Giovanni Traverso on the development of a transdermal drug delivery application for a novel skin cancer therapeutic, in collaboration with MIT, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.