The University of Nicosia Medical School and the Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF) jointly awarded “The 2024 Panos Englezos Prize” to Dr Evangelia Yannaki during the Medical School Graduation Ceremony . The prize, awarded biennially, recognises outstanding contributions in public health or scientific/medical advances in the prevention, management, and improvement of the quality of life for patients with haemoglobin disorders. Named after Mr Panos Englezos, the award honours his lifelong, voluntary contributions to TIF and his commitment to securing patients’ rights globally.
Dr Yannaki’s pioneering research in gene therapy for haemoglobinopathies led to the first clinical trials for mobilising haematopoietic stem cells in thalassaemia patients. As the Principal Investigator for Greece in an international phase-3 gene therapy trial for β-thalassaemia, she contributed to the approval of Zynteglo by the European Medicines Agency and the FDA. This treatment allows patients to remain transfusion-free, significantly enhancing their quality of life.
Dr Yannaki is a distinguished haematologist specialising in haematopoietic stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. She serves as the Director of the Gene and Cell Therapy Centre at George Papanicolaou Hospital in Thessaloniki, Greece. Her research has significantly advanced haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and gene therapy. Dr Yannaki received her medical degree from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and her PhD from the University of Crete. She trained in gene therapy under Professor George Stamatoyannopoulos at the University of Washington, Seattle. Upon returning to Greece, she established and now leads the Gene and Cell Therapy Centre at George Papanicolaou Hospital. Additionally, she directs the Haematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit at the same hospital and is an Affiliate Professor at the University of Washington.
Dr Yannaki has authored over 90 scientific papers in prestigious journals and has served as Chair of the Hellenic Society of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine. She is also an active member of several professional organisations, including the European Haematology Association and the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy.