About Me

I was born and raised in Athens, Greece. I grew up reading Thucydides. From a very young age, I became fascinated with military history and I admired strategists such as Themistocles from the sea-battle of Salamina and Miltiades from the battle of Marathon. As a school student, I had many hobbies and interests. I spent my afternoons learning foreign languages and swimming competitively for the local swimming team. At the age of 11, I gained the silver metal (backstroke 50m and 100m) at the national championship after hard work and dedication which pushed me to work even harder for more metals. On the weekends, I learned traditional Greek dances and later I participated to my school's theater team that gained many national prizes and awards.

As a university student, I combined my studies in International Relations to my drama classes focusing on ancient Greek Tragedy plays and Musical Theater. I attended seminars and worked as an entertainer for kids' parties during Winter and as a lifeguard during Summer to save money for my graduate studies. I am deeply fascinated by any form of art but theater is my passion that comes second only to my love and dedication to International Security and Strategic Studies.

After having studied and worked in places like London, Brussels, Lille, Paris and Honolulu, I came to the US to pursue my Ph.D. Studying and teaching International Relations in the United States reconfirmed and even stimulated further my love for International Relations. I found mentors that pushed me beyond my comfort zone, taught me how to ask interesting questions and how to design research projects in order to answer them. But above all, my mentors at SIS taught me respect and the critical value of teaching and mentoring younger students.

I met my husband at the heart of Europe, Brussels, and we now have a 5 year old daughter who is American, French and Greek. Watching her grow is our biggest joy. Her favorite book is Dr. Seuss' The Butter Battle Book.