Despina Melanthiou, BSc

Ph.D. Student

Despina holds a B.Sc. in Psychology from the University of Cyprus in Nicosia, Cyprus, and is currently a Ph.D. student in Clinical Psychology at the University of Cyprus, also located in Nicosia, Cyprus.

Her research in the Zanos lab focuses on identifying physiological biomarkers of misophonia including elevated cortisol and alpha-amylase in saliva samples, along with distinctive EEG patterns showing hyperactivation in auditory and limbic regions during trigger exposure. Through combining neurophysiological measurements with behavioral assessments, her work provides objective markers for understanding how specific sounds trigger intense emotional and physical reactions. This research serves as a valuable model for studying broader sensory processing dysfunctions and is informing the development of targeted therapeutic interventions. Her integration of neurophysiological data with behavioral outcomes is advancing our understanding of sensory-emotional integration mechanisms.

Research Interests: As a psychologist, Despina’s research interests are centered on improving the quality of life for individuals struggling with psychological disorders. Her research focuses on assessing current therapies and discovering the most effective treatments for patients.

Selected Publications:

• Konstantinou, P., Ioannou, M., Melanthiou, D., Georgiou, K., Almas, I., Gloster, A. T., … & Karekla, M. (2023). The impact of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on quality of life and symptom improvement among chronic health conditions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2023.08.004.

Contact Info:

Email: melanthiou.despina@ucy.ac.cy