Short Bio
I received a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Cyprus in 2019. That same year, I joined the Cancer Biophysics Laboratory at the University of Cyprus as a PhD student. In 2024, I completed my PhD and continued as a postdoctoral fellow. My work focuses on creating mathematical models for oncology applications. To achieve this, I use principles of solid, fluid mechanics, and systems biology. I combine numerical methods (e.g. Finite Element Method) and optimization algorithms. I also improve the accuracy of my models with the use of Magnetic Resonance Images (e.g. MRI, DTI MRI, MRE). My goal is to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy and immunotherapy in solid tumors by making predictions about the outcome of treatment.
Experience
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Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Cyprus (Jun 2024–Present), Nicosia, Cyprus
Project: European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant: Immuno-Predictor – Mechanical Biomarkers for Cancer Immunotherapy Prediction
• Developed a proposal for the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 (European Commission / Horizon Europe); awarded a Seal of Excellence.
• Developed mathematical models for oncology applications.
• Performed data processing and visualization. - Teaching, University of Cyprus (Sep 2025–Dec 2025), Nicosia, Cyprus
Course: Introduction to Engineering - Special Scientist, University of Cyprus (Mar 2020–Jun 2024), Nicosia, Cyprus
Project: European Research Council Consolidator Grant: Immuno-Predictor – Mechanical Biomarkers for Cancer Immunotherapy Prediction
• Creating Mathematical Models for Oncology Applications
• Data Processing and Visualization - Teaching Assistant, University of Cyprus (Sep 2019–Jun 2022), Nicosia, Cyprus
Courses: Vector Mechanics for Engineers (Dynamics), Solid Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics - Intern, Texas A&M University (Summer 2018), Texas, USA
Project: Membrane Distillation for Clean Water Production and Electrospinning for Membrane Fabrication
Education
- PhD in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus (2019–2024), Nicosia, Cyprus – Focus: Mathematical Modeling and Systems Biology Applications in Oncology
- Completed MSc Coursework in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus (2019–2021), GPA: 9.28/10, Nicosia, Cyprus
- BSc in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus (2015–2019), GPA: 8.9/10, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Military Service, Cyprus National Guard (2013–2015), Nicosia, Cyprus
- High School Education, GPA: 19.58/20 (2010–2013), Nicosia, Cyprus
Publications
- "Using mathematical modelling and AI to improve delivery and efficacy of therapies in cancer", Harkos C., Hadjigeorgiou G.A., Voutouri C., Kumar A.S., Stylianopoulos T., and Jain R.K. Nature Reviews Cancer, 2025 – Publication URL
- "Mathematical modeling and association analysis deciphers the impact of the gut microbiome on cancer immunotherapy", Hadjigeorgiou A.G., Harkos C., Mishra A.K., Morad G., Johnson S.B., Ajami N.J., Wargo J.A., Munn L.L., Stylianopoulos T., Jain R.K. Cancer Research, 2025 – Publication URL
- "Investigating synergistic effects of immunotherapy and normalization treatment in modulating tumor microenvironment and enchancing treatment efficacy", Harkos C., and Stylianopoulos T. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 2024 – Publication URL
- "Mathematical modeling of intratumoral immunotherapy yields strategies to improve the treatment outcomes", Harkos C., Stylianopoulos T., and Jain R.K. PLoS Computational Biology, 2023 – Publication URL
- "Inducing biomechanical heterogeneity in brain tumor modeling by MR elastography: effects on tumor growth, vascular density and delivery of therapeutics", Harkos C., Svensson S.F., Emblem K.E., Stylianopoulos T. Cancers, 2022 – Publication URL