Date and place of birth:                       9th April, 1953; Paphos, Cyprus

Present post:

Professor of Fetal Medicine, King’s College, London,

Professor of Fetal Medicine, University College, London.

Awards:

1. Ian Donald Gold Award for Highest Contribution in Ultrasound of the International Society Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, 1999

2. Eric Saling Award for Highest Scientific Contribution in Perinatal Medicine of the World Association of Perinatal Medicine, 2001

3.  Excellence in Letters, Culture and Science, Highest award of the Government of Cyprus, 2004

4.  Honorary Fellowship of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, USA 2004

5.  Honorary Doctorate in Medicine, University of Athens, Greece 2005

6.  International Academy of Perinatal Medicine, 2005

7.  Honorary Doctorate in Medicine, University of Warsaw, Poland 2009

8.  Honorary Doctorate in Medicine, University of Bucharest, Romania 2009

Scientific Activities:

·         Published 970 peer-review papers in Scientific Journals on aspects of fetal diagnosis and therapy

·         Edited several books and introduced internet based courses for health care professionals and patients

·         Supervised 35 doctors to undertake research leading to postgraduate qualifications and has provided training in Fetal Medicine to several hundred of doctors from many countries.

·         Introduced new methods of fetal therapy, including intrauterine blood transfusions for fetal anemia, thoraco-amniotic shunting for drainage of pleural effusions, endoscopic laser surgery for severe twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome and endoscopic tracheal occlusion for diaphragmatic hernia.   

·         Described new methods of screening for fetal abnormalities, including the lemon and banana signs for spina bifida and nuchal translucency for Down’s syndrome which are now the accepted methods of screening throughout the world.

Professional Activities:

Director of the Research Centre for Fetal Medicine, King’s College Hospital

This centre, which was opened in 1984 by Princess Diana, was the first Fetal Medicine Centre in Britain and is the biggest one in the world. More than 20,000 patients are examined each year and many of these patients are referred from other hospitals in Britain and other countries because of serious complications of pregnancy. In addition more than 200 doctors from all over the world visit the centre to observe and receive training.

Founder and Chairman of the Fetal Medicine Foundation

This charity was set up in 1995. The main source of income is a private clinic which donates all its profits to the charity. The aims are to promote research and training in Fetal Medicine throughout the World. More than £8,000,000 have been donated to finance the training of many doctors from different countries and to carry out major multicentre studies on screening and prevention of preterm delivery and pre-eclampsia, which are the leading causes of perinatal mortality. The Foundation has also introduced the yearly World Congress in Fetal Medicine, implemented a series of educational courses internationally and has developed the Light for Life Campaign to train doctors and nurses in underdeveloped countries with high maternal and perinatal mortality.