Maria Vliora

Role

As a postdoctoral researcher in FAME Lab, Dr. Vliora designs and conducts advanced studies in thermophysiology, focusing on human adaptation to heat and the interaction of environmental factors on health and performance. She contributes to the development of experimental protocols, data analysis, scientific publications and project management while she also supports collaboration across international research initiatives, funding acquisition, and mentoring of young researchers.

Dr Maria Vliora is a molecular biologist with a strong multidisciplinary background in biomedical research. Her scientific work spans a broad spectrum of biomedical fields. She has investigated immunoglobulin gene mutations in patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and explored ALK mutations and downstream signaling pathways in Neuroblastoma. Her research has also addressed the impact of environmental factors on human health, as well as the development of biodegradable bio-scaffolds for the allografting of adipose-derived stem cells

After studying molecular biology and genetics at the Democritus University of Thrace, she earned a joint doctoral degree in Biomedical Research from the University of Thessaly and the University of Brescia. Her PhD research focused on the metabolic mechanisms underlying the browning of white adipose tissue—an area with significant implications for the prevention and treatment of obesity and metabolic disorders. 

She has been involved in several European and internationally funded research projects, including initiatives related to the 3D printing of biological scaffolds and membranes. Working closely with leading academic and research institutions across Europe, she has contributed to efforts that aim to translate scientific innovation into tangible benefits for human health. Her research has been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, reflecting the quality and relevance of her contributions to the biomedical field. In addition to her research activities, Dr. Vliora has served as an editor for scientific books, helping to shape and communicate emerging knowledge across disciplines. Her work demonstrates a strong commitment to both scientific excellence and the broader dissemination of research to academic, clinical, and industry audiences. 

  1. Vliora, M., Tsatsakis, A., Kallinteri, P., & Kalkach Aparicio, M. (2024). Emerging Social Issues on Targeted Drug Delivery.  Scientific Research Publishing. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14620698.
  2. Vliora, M., McCormick, J. J., King, K. E., Gkiata, P., Kaltsatou, A., Flouris, A. D., & Kenny, G. P. (2025). Brief extreme passive heat exposure leads to elevated biomarkers of systemic inflammation and acute kidney injury in older vs young adults. European journal of applied physiology, 10.1007/s00421-025-05827-w. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-025-05827-w IF=2.800 
  3. Carrillo, A. E., & Vliora, M. (2023). Adipose Tissue Metabolism in Response to Food Intake. Nutrients, 15(22), 4811. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15224811, IF=4.800 
  4. Vliora M, Nintou E, Karligiotou E, Ioannou LG, Grillo E, Mitola S, Flouris AD. Implication of Irisin in Different Types of Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta- Analysis. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Sep 1;23(17):9971. doi: 10.3390/ijms23179971. PMID: 36077366; PMCID: PMC9456043., IF=6.208
  5. Maria Vliora., Ravelli. Cosetta, Grillo. Elisabetta, Corsini. Michela, D. Flouris Andreas, and Mitola. Stefania. 2022. The impact of adipokines on vascular networks in adipose tissue. Cytokine & growth factor reviews. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cytogfr.2022.07.008 , IF=17.66
  6. Kydonaki, E.K.; Freitas, L.; Reguengo, H.; Simón, C.R.; Bastos, A.R.; Fernandes, E.M.; Canadas, R.F.; Oliveira, J.M.; Correlo, V.M.; Reis, R.L.; Vliora, M.; Gkiata, P.; Koutedakis, Y.; Ntina, G.; Pinto, R.; Carrillo, A.E.; Marques, F.; Amorim, T. Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Agents versus Bovine Colostrum Supplementation for the Management of Bone Health Using an Osteoporosis-Induced Rat Model. Nutrients 2022, 14, 2837. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14142837 IF=6.706
  7. Dinas PC, Nintou E, Vliora M, Pravednikova AE, Sakellariou P, Witkowicz A, Kachaev ZM, Kerchev VV, Larina SN, Cotton J, Kowalska A, Gkiata P, Bargiota A, Khachatryan ZA, Hovhannisyan AA, Antonosyan MA, Margaryan S, Partyka A, Bogdanski P, Szulinska M, Kregielska-Narozna M, Czepczyński R, Ruchała M, Tomkiewicz A, Yepiskoposyan L, Karabon L, Shidlovskii Y, Metsios GS, Flouris AD. Prevalence of uncoupling protein one genetic polymorphisms and their relationship with cardiovascular and metabolic health.  PLoS One.  2022 Apr 28;17(4):e0266386. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0266386. PMID: 35482655; PMCID: PMC9049362. IF=3.24
  8. Vliora M, Grillo E, Corsini M, Ravelli C, Nintou E, Karligiotou E, Flouris AD, Mitola S. Irisin regulates thermogenesis and lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj. 2022 Jan 8:130085. doi: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2022.130085. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35016977. IF=3.770
  9. Kydonaki, E.K.; Freitas, L.; Fonseca, B.M.; Reguengo, H.; Raposo Simón, C.; Bastos, A.R.; Fernandes, E.M.; Canadas, R.F.; Oliveira, J.M.; Correlo, V.M.; Reis, R.L.; Vliora, M.; Gkiata, P.; Koutedakis, Y.; Ntina, G.; Pinto, R.; Carrillo, A.E.; Marques, F.; Amorim, T. Bovine Colostrum Supplementation Improves Bone Metabolism in an Osteoporosis- Induced Animal Model. Nutrients 2021, 13, 2981. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13092981, IF=5.717
  10. di Somma M*, Vliora M*, Grillo E, et al. Role of VEGFs in metabolic disorders. Angiogenesis. 2019;10.1007/s10456-019-09700-1. doi:10.1007/s10456-019-09700-1, IF=5.894