Imperial College London

DrMelpomeniKalofonou

Faculty of EngineeringDepartment of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Research Fellow in Cancer Technology
 
 
 
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Contact

 

+44 (0)20 7594 1594m.kalofonou Website CV

 
 
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Location

 

B420C - Centre for Bio-Inspired Technology (CBIT)Bessemer BuildingSouth Kensington Campus

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Summary

 

Research Interests

I am passionate about bringing technological innovations in Cancer Research by establishing and advancing the field of Cancer Technology, which I initiated and have been leading in CBIT for over 7 years. The convergence of Electronic Engineering and Cancer Genetics is at the core, where I lead a multidisciplinary team focused on Cancer Diagnostics with a strong engineering background, aiming to address an impactful clinical application with a clearly defined translational vision. 

Since my first appointment in 2014, I have been building unique expertise within the group, in the design of novel molecular diagnostic platforms for cancer using digital microchip technology, with an emphasis on liquid biopsies and the detection of tumour derived molecular markers for early detection of advanced disease, targeted monitoring and treatment stratification of cancer, with ongoing case studies and direct clinical translation in some of the most prevalent types of breast, colorectal, ovarian and prostate cancer with collaborations in the NHS.

Collaborators

Cancer Research UK - Cambridge Centre, Cambridge Colorectal Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Gastrointestinal and Lymphoma Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

CRUK Convergence Science Centre

Cancer Technology Network, Cancer Technology/Diagnostics

Cancer Research Centre of Excellence (CRCE), Cancer Engineering/Diagnostics

Department of Surgery & Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK

Cancer Research UK Imperial Centre, Faculty of Medicine

Clinical Oncology Laboratory, Division of Oncology, University of Patras, Greece

Guest Lectures

Microchip Technology in Cancer Diagnostics, Sensor100 Cancer Diagnostic Technology Summit, 2023

Lab-on-Chip diagnostics for pan-cancer screening, Division of Oncology, University of Patras, Greece, 20th Educational Congress "Highlights in Oncology", 2021

Microchip technology in cancer diagnostics, Centre for Continuing Professional Development, Imperial College London, 2021

Microchip based cancer diagnostics for precision oncology, Inter-departmental Postgraduate Seminar Series, Patras Medical School, University of Patras, Greece, 2018

Microchip technology for Cancer Diagnostics: a case study for breast cancer, "The Future of Medical Electronics" in London (Bio-engineering), organised by SRUK's Engineering Committee, 2018

Chemical-sensing microchips for Cancer Diagnostics, North London Collegiate School - Science Society, 2018

Generating electronic medical devices for detection of DNA in LMIC environments, University of Nottingham - European Association for Cancer Research Workshop: Meeting the challenge of treating cancer in low and middle income countries, 2018

Chemical sensing microchips – a new paradigm for breast cancer, Microsoft London (Paddington), One Week - Hackathon, 2017

Could a microchip detect early signs of breast cancer?, Pint of Science - Our Body: 'Technology More Important than your Smartphone', 2017

The application of microchip technology for breast cancer monitoring and treatment stratification, World Precision Medicine Congress 2017, 2017

Microchip sensing technology for detection of circulating breast cancer markers, Imperial College London, Imperial Cancer Research UK Centre, Wolfson Education Centre, Hammersmith Campus, 2016

A Point-of-Care system for early detection of endocrine resistance in breast cancer, Charing Cross Hospital, Breast Cancer Unit, Imperial College London, 2015

Epigenetics for early detection of cancer using semiconductor technology, Westminster School, Little Dean’s Yard, London, 2014