Vergadi Eleni

Eleni Vergadi is an Assistant Professor of Paediatrics at the Medical School of the University of Crete and a Consultant in Paediatrics and Paediatric Infectious Diseases at Heraklion University Hospital, Greece. She is also currently holding an honorary affiliation with the Department of Paediatric Infectious Diseases at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK.

Dr Vergadi graduated with honours from the Medical School of the University of Crete. She holds an MSc in Molecular Basis of Human Disease from the University of Crete, a PhD in Immunology, with research conducted at the University of Crete and Harvard University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Paediatric Infectious Diseases from the University of Oxford, and a Diploma in Vaccinology from the Institut Pasteur.

Her academic and clinical career spans several internationally recognised institutions. She has undertaken research fellowships at Harvard Medical School, the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB-FORTH), the Dresden Bioinnovation Center and the University of Crete. Her clinical training and experience in Paediatrics and Paediatric Infectious Diseases include Boston Children’s Hospital (Harvard Medical School, USA), St Mary’s Hospital (Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, UK), Evelina London Children’s Hospital (UK) and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (UK).

Her research focuses on paediatric infectious diseases, immunology, host defence and the mechanisms regulating inflammation, with a particular emphasis on translational research bridging fundamental discoveries and clinical practice. She has authored numerous scientific publications in leading international peer-reviewed journals, with substantial citation impact, and has contributed to national and international collaborative research initiatives.

In recognition of her scientific achievements, she has received several prestigious awards, including the L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science Award and the Young Investigator Award from the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID). She has also received numerous additional scientific distinctions and competitive research grants, securing research funding at both national and European levels.

Alongside her clinical and research activities, Dr Vergadi is actively involved in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, mentoring and supervising students and early-career researchers. She has served as an elected Board Member of the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID) and is actively engaged in international scientific collaborations and educational initiatives in paediatric infectious diseases.

Her work integrates clinical excellence, translational research and academic education, with the overarching aim of improving the prevention, diagnosis and management of infectious and inflammatory diseases in children.