I am a researcher and data scientist specialising in online fraud detection, extremism research, and applied machine learning and natural language processing. I previously held a Postdoctoral Researcher position at University College London (UCL) within the Dawes Centre For Future Crime, collaborating with Prof. Shane Johnson, Dr. Nilufer Tuptuk, and Dr. Enrico Mariconti.

I completed my PhD at UCL in September 2023 in the field of Discourse Analysis and Data Science, under the guidance of Prof. Emiliano De Cristofaro and Dr. Enrico Mariconti. Prior to joining UCL in 2019, I served as a Research Fellow and Technical Lead at Cyprus University of Technology (CUT).

I am currently seeking research and industry positions in online fraud analysis, extremism research, machine learning, and data science.

Research

My research focuses on the identification and detection of emerging online fraudulent activity, and the development of AI-based solutions for early detection and mitigation of such malevolent behaviour. I have extensive experience working with large-scale, multi-platform datasets, developing analytical pipelines, and applying advanced NLP and machine learning methods. Previously, as a Postdoctoral Researcher at UCL, I worked on projects related to cybercrime, fraud analysis, and behavioural modelling of online offenders. During my time as a PhD researcher, my research focused on the characterization and detection of extremist, conspiratory-focused, and fringe communities in alternative and mainstream social networks. This work employed various quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods, statistical analysis, and Natural Language Processing and Discourse Analysis tools. Before that, as a Research Fellow at CUT, my research focused on device-centric authentication, federated identity management, the cybersafety of minors online, and the detection and characterization of inappropriate content online, while actively contributing to EU-funded projects (ReCRED and ENCASE). In addition, I had the opportunity to spend 8 months (in total) as an intern at Telefonica I+D, Barcelona, Spain. During my bachelor studies I conducted research on unmanned surface vessels, robotics, and automation (PID controlled systems).

Education

  • PhD in Discourse Analysis and Data Science University College London
    Title: A Comprehensive Study of the Extremist Narratives and the Role of Alternative Social Networks that Facilitate Radical Discourse (pdf)
    Advisors: Prof. Emiliano De Cristofaro and Dr. Enrico Mariconti

  • MSc in Data Science and Engineering
    Cyprus University of Technology, Cyprus
    Advisor: Dr. Michael Sirivianos

  • BSc in Computer Science
    Frederick University, Cyprus