Nanotechnology, micro and nanofabrication, electronics, sensors, biomedical devices; sustainable innovation prototype development for real-world applications, outreach activities and science communication.

Dr. Maria Eleni Rizou is a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology of the National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos” in Athens, Greece. Her current research focuses on the development of colorimetric sensors using perovskite materials for the detection of volatile organic compounds released during food spoilage, in collaboration with the Agricultural University of Athens. She is also involved in projects related to high-performance organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). She holds a Ph.D. in Electronics and Electrical Engineering from the University of Southampton, where she worked on the design and development of a microscale neurostimulation platform, and an M.Sc. in Electronics and Telecommunications from the University of Athens. Dr. Rizou has held postdoctoral positions at the Institute of Microelectronics and Microsystems of the National Research Council (CNR) in Rome, where she contributed to the development of microwave-based techniques for humidity control in historical monuments and an electronic nose sensor for biological material characterization. Her work bridges nanotechnology, sensor development, and real-world applications, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration. She has participated in projects involving biomedical devices, cultural heritage restoration, and food quality monitoring, and has worked closely with experts across biology, archaeology, food science, and entrepreneurship. Beyond research, she co-created the PREVAILS initiative, a citizen-driven digital health platform designed to promote ethical data sharing, personalized healthcare, and research acceleration. The project was incubated and funded through the Versus Virus Hackathon and the University of Lausanne’s UCreate3 acceleration program. Her interests include micro- and nanofabrication, optoelectronic materials, and prototype development for societal impact. She is passionate about bridging research and innovation and actively engages in outreach and interdisciplinary projects.