Dr. Vasiliki Stathopoulou

EXPERIENCE

Former Head of Internal Medicine-Endoscopy Department Plakentia Veterinary Clinic – Athens, Greece

• Internal medicine referral cases.
• Investigation of GI motility disorders.
• Diagnostic gastroduodenoscopy, laryngoscopy, tracheo-bronchoscopy, orthograde and retrograde rhinoscopy, urethro-cystoscopy, vaginoscopy and biopsy sampling.
• Ballon dilations in esophageal, tracheal, nasopharyngeal and urethral strictures
• Foreign body retrieval from the GI tract, respiratory tract and cystoscopy assisted uroliths retrieval.
• Laser ablation of tumors, ectopic ureters and colonic polypectomies (pedunculated, flat elevated 0-IIa+ Is, flat mucosal change- Paris).
• Collaborated with team members to achieve target results.
• Exceeded goals through effective prioritization and consistent work ethic.
• Trained and mentored employees to maximize team performance.
• Spoke to customers in multiple languages to resolve problems and answer questions.
• Prepared range of written communications, documents and reports.
• Organized Journal clubs, webinars on a monthly basis for the Internal medicine team.
• Created the clinic’s SOPs in Gastroenterology cases and Endoscopy procedures for the interns

Owner Vetmedica Veterinary Clinic – Athens, Greece

• Internal Medicine Referral cases. Gastroenterology, Respiratory tract and Urology cases.
• Precision Medicine solutions, functional nutrition.
• Vet Health Consultancy for Pet owners.
• Performed diagnostic assessments, assisting with accurate and timely diagnoses.
• Consulted with patients on lifestyle changes related diet and exercise.
• Utilized IT software programs to support clinical decision-making when completing file work and examinations.
• Communicated clear health management plans, utilizing expert knowledge to direct patients to further care as required.
• Coordinated well-rounded patient care by collaborating with medical professionals in diverse clinical areas.

CSO Operations Consultant AOHUA Veterinary Endoscopy – Shanghai, China

• Lectures and hands on workshops in diagnostic and interventional endoscopy procedures in Europe, Middle East and Asia.
• Constructs monthly webinars and clinical cases on endoscopy topics.
• AOHUA Vet YouTube channel.
• Developed creative teaching materials, designing to assist in educating lesson topics.
• Used engaging, clear and concise public speaking and presentation skills to deliver lessons.
• Maintained long-lasting attendees’ relationships by acting as a counsellor, as well as providing emotional and educational support.

CSO Operations Consultant VetMore – New York, USA

VetMore is of the forefront of redefining pet wellness on a global scale

• Harnessing groundbreaking innovation in product development like DrinkMore.
• Promoting precision medicine solutions in nutrition and health care.
• Leveraging in-depth, evidence-based resources to empower veterinarians, pet parents and professionals in the pet Industry (governmental, trainers, pharmaceutical/ equipment/pet food sector).
• DrinkMore is an enriched water fomula for dogs, that provides proper hydration, essential vitamins, minerals and prebiotics. (formerly named Pupwater).
• Designed the recipe and the ingredients for DrinkMore.
• Enforced quality control procedures and health and safety guidelines for DrinkMore.
• Completed regular preventive maintenance on sampling and monitoring equipment to maintain good working order.
• Maintained accessible, accurate data on relevant databases.
• Recorded detailed log of completed activities for reliable recordkeeping.
• Prepared materials, resources and logistics for pre-clinical trial.

Former CEO Middle East and Africa Veterinary Congress (MEAVC)- Dubai, UAE

MEAVC is one of the world’s largest events for companion animal veterinary sector in the Middle East region. (www.meavc.com).

In its first edition MEAVC attracted 821 veterinarians from 41 countries, 55 students and 86 nurses.

• Established firm collaborations with Universities in the Middle East.
• (UAE Veterinary Faculty, Veterinary Faculty of Cairo University, Veterinary Faculty of Pretoria University, Veterinary Faculty at the University of Hassan II, Rabat in Morocco and The Veterinary Faculty of King Faisal University in Saudi Arabia and organized 4 workshops on Anesthesiology and Cardiology in 4 countries with the cooperation of these Universities (https://www.meavc.com/satellite-events/).
• Responsible for constructing the scientific program of the congress for 2022 and 2024 with more than 42 speakers, 100 Topics, 0 pre congress workshops, 6 master classes and a full stream in exotics animal medicine and equine medicine.
• Cooperated with all the big Veterinary Associations who signed as scientific partners of MEAVC: WSAVA, FECAVA, FAVA, Isfm, European Society of Comparative Gastroenterology etc.
• Established a Journal Club on a monthly basis for the first time in the Middle East and Africa Region with 16 Journal Clubs throughout the year, with board certified speakers. The Journal club ran on a membership fee and had achieved in 8 months 168 loyal members. (https://www.meavc.com/journal-club/).
• All the scientific programs including the 2 clays events and the Journal Club achieved accreditation by both VetCEE and RACE.
• Managed high-value projects within cost and required quality.

SKILLS

• Canine and feline gastroenterology/Internal medicine.
• Diagnostic and interventional endoscopy.
• Cell and Gene Therapies – Regenerative Medicine.
• Project Management.
• Business strategies.
• Endoscopy training courses- veterinary education
• Public speaking.

EDUCATION

cPhD Medical School National and Kapodistrian University of Athens – Greece 2024

Title: Combined Caspase 3/8/9 digitized protein expression and m RNA analysis in canine IBD tissues
Objective: To explore the role of the combined caspase 3, 8, and 9 protein expression and their mRNA levels in the examined IBD tissues and their potential implication in the mechanisms of the disease.
Study Design: The study will include fifty (n=50) tissue sections with a pathological diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), and a control group with ten (n=10) normal intestine epithelia.
Methodology:

1. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) Assay:
   • Purpose: To detect the expression profiles and levels of Caspase 3, Caspase 8, and Caspase 9 proteins in tissue sections.
   • Procedure: Perform IHC on tissue sections using antibodies specific to Caspase 3, 8, and 9.
   • Analysis: Utilize a Digital Image Analysis (DIA) system to measure the intensity and localization of the immunostaining.
2. Digital Image Analysis (DIA) Assay:
   • Purpose: To objectively and accurately quantify the IHC results.
   • Procedure: Scan the immune-stained slides and analyze the images using specialized DIA software to quantify protein expression levels.
3. Real-Time PCR (qPCR) Assay:
   • Purpose: To detect and quantify the mRNA expression levels of Caspase 3, Caspase 8, and Caspase 9 in the same tissue samples.
   • Procedure:
   – Sample Preparation: Extract RNA from tissue sections using an appropriate RNA extraction kit.
   – cDNA Synthesis: Convert the extracted RNA to cDNA using reverse transcriptase.
   – qPCR Setup: Design specific primers for Caspase 3, 8, and 9. Perform qPCR using these primers and a suitable qPCR master mix.
   – Data Analysis: Analyze the qPCR data to quantify the relative expression levels of the target caspases using the ΔΔCt method, normalizing against a suitable housekeeping gene (e.g., GAPDH or β-actin).

MSc Cell and Gene Therapies
Medical School University of Patras – Greece 2024

• Course Objectives/Goals

The “MSc Cell and Gene Therapies” aims to provide high-level postgraduate education in the field of Advanced Therapeutic Medicinal Products (ATMPs) and especially of Cell and Gene Therapies (CGT).

• Course Syllabus

This program covers all aspects of cell and gene therapy with the purpose to train graduate scientists of various expertise in the fields of production, distribution, clinical evaluation and clinical implementation of CGTs and study both the biological substrate of CGTs and the regulatory framework for their production and their application. The course includes also training in basic cell biology, lab techniques and statistics.

• Syllabus: Introduction to C and GT CMP, Biological aspects of CGT Basic cell biology, CGT Regulation/ Aseptic procedures, Biostatistics and medical data analysis, From Development to GMP (Product life-cycle, Approval, QC for CGT/Equipment Analytical Methods Preclinical and Clinical aspects in CTG, Scientific/Lab management).
• Coursework in constructing SOPs.
• Coursework In Population, sample and data collection. Descriptive statistic methodology using SPSS, Survival outcomes (Kaplan-Meler, Cl, competing risks), Univariate comparisons, Gray’s statistic for cumulative incidence functions, Cox regression Multivariate analysis, Data presentation of small and big data.
• Coursework in the new EU Regulation on SoHO (Substances of Human Origin- COM2022, 338 final).

Postgraduate course: Human Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Hellenic Gastroenterology Society – Athens, Greece 2024

Completed a 9-modules postgraduate course with the Human Gastroenterology residents on:

• Physiology of gastric outflow, gastric dysmotility disorders, new guidelines on gastric paresis.
• Pro-adaptive hormones in the treatment of patients with short bowel syndrome.
• IBS in clinical practice. Best approach to treat.
• The role of endoscopy in malnutrition patients. What are the inputs in obesity and malignant obesity.
• Updates on eosinophilic esophagitis.
• Treating the complications of interventional therapeutic endoscopy procedures in Upper GI tract.
• Diseases that mimic IBD: differential diagnosis and treatment.
• Latest medication protocols in the treatment of IBD.
• Viral hepatitis.
• IgG-4 related Autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis.
• Methods of polypectomies in the large intestine.
• Challenges in the diagnostic approach of pancreatic lesions.
• Neoplastic diseases of the gastro-intestinal tract.
• Esophageal motility disorders and treatment (POEM, BOTOX).
• Acute Diarrhea and FTM.
• Chronic Pancreatitis.
• ERCP, ESD, EMR.

PgCert Small Animal Internal Medicine: Veterinary Internal Medicine Harper Adams University – UK, 2015

GPCert Endoscopy & Endosurgery: Veterinary Endoscopy ISVPS – UK, 2010

• Completed a 12-month modular course in all disciplines of veterinary endoscopy: Introduction to Endoscopy and Endosurgery: Instrumentation, Flexible Endoscopy: Basic Techniques and Respiratory Tract, Upper Gastrointestinal Tract, Lower Gastrointestinal Tract and Therapeutic Techniques, Rigid Endoscopy: Basic Principles of Rhinoscopy and other ‘Oscopies’, Oto- endoscopy, Urethro-cystoscopy and Vaginoscopy, Laparoscopy, Arthroscopy, Thoracoscopy.
• Introduction to Laser Endosurgery.
• Completed a case log of 50 endoscopic cases and 3 case reports.

GPCert Small Animal Internal Medicine (ISVPS): Veterinary Internal Medicine ISVPS – UK, 2009

• Completed a 2-year- modular program covering 21 disciplines in internal medicine: Clinical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cytology, Diagnostic Imaging, Diagnostic Imaging Practical Film Reading and Abdominal Ultrasound, Respiratory disease, Cardiovascular Medicine, Gastroenterology, Immunology, Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, Endocrinology, Medical Oncology, Dermatology, Medical Neurology, Urology, Canine Infectious Disease, Feline Infectious Disease, Ophthalmology.
• Completed a written case log of 50 cases and 3 case reports.

DVM: Veterinary Medicine, AUTH-Aristotele University of Thessaloniki – Greece, 2000

AFFILIATIONS

• Veterinary Endoscopy Society (VES)
• Comparative Gastroenterology society (CGS)
• European Society of Comparative Gastroenterology (ESCG)

ADDITIONAL EDUCATION

• 2007/2010: Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Germany-Advanced postgraduate intensive courses in Veterinary Endoscopy (ESAVS)
• Fulfill a CPD portfolio of more than 100 CE units every year

PUBLICATIONS

Books

• Co-author in the book of Professor T.Rallis: ‘Pancreatic Discases in dogs and Cats’, 2015, Rotonda Publications.

Journals

• Oesophageal strictures associated with oral antibiotics in cats-a report of three cases, Hellenic Journal of Companion Animal Medicine – Volume 8 – Issue 1- 2019.

Posters

• Successful Bronchoscopic Balloon Dilation of Post Intubation Tracheal Stricture in a Cat, World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress Proceedings, 2017, V. Stathopoulou; I. Liapis.
• Post-Intubation Tracheal Necrosis in a Dog Following Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT), World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress Proceedings, 2017, V. Stathopoulou; I. Liapis.

Co-author

• Detection of cytomegalovirus DNA sequences in blood, cerebrospinal fluid and bronchoalveolar lavage of immunocompromised individuals, Pliakas G, Angelaki M, Stathopoulou V, Hatzaki D, Tsakris A, Legakis N.
• Detection of adenoviruses in clinical samples with molecular techniques. Hatzaki D, Pliakas G, Pournou I, Stathopoulou V, Dimitroulia E, Skarmoutsou N, Legakis N, Matsiota-Bernard P.
• Adenovirus associated meningoencephalitis. Angelaki M, Pliakas G, Pournou I, Stathopoulou V, Dimitroulia E, Skarmoutsou N, Legakis N, Matsiota-Bernard P, Medical School University of Athens, Microbiology Lab, Virology Department.
• DNA amplification on cerebrospinal fluid for diagnosis of enteroviral aseptic meningitis and encephalitis, Angelaki M, Pliakas G, Hatzaki D, Stathopoulou V, Tsakris A,
• Legakis N, Matsiota-Bernard P, Medical School University of Athens, Microbiology Lab, Virology Department.
• Detection of enterovirus Infection with molecular techniques in military personnel. Angelaki M, Pliakas G, Stathopoulou V, Katsaros E, Legakis N, Matsiota-Bernard P.