KAROUSOU EVGENIA

PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name: EVGENIA KAROUSOU
Address: via J.H.Dunant 5, 21100, Varese (VA), ITALY
Telephone: +39-0332-217144
Fax: +39-0332-217119
E-mail: jenny.karousou@uninsubria.it
Nationality: Greek-Italian
Date of birth: 09 August 1978
WORKING EXPERIENCE
• 2017-present: Associate Professor in Biochemistry Department of Surgery and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria, Italy.
• May 2017 - March 2018 and October 2020 - June 2021: Maternity leave
• 2009 - 2017: Assistant Professor in Biochemistry, Department of Surgery and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria, Italy.
• April - May 2010, Visiting Researcher in Imperial College of London, Biopolymer Mass Spectrometry Group, Division of Molecular Biosciences, United Kingdom.
• 2006 - 2009, Lecturer in the Department of Biomedical Experimental and Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Italy.
• 2006 - 2008, Post-doc Fellow/Visiting Researcher in Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Uppsala University, Sweden.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
18-1-2006, PhD in Degenerative Pathologies and Immunopathology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria with Fund Scholarship for Doctorate Studies
1998-2002, Bachelor Degree in Chemistry, University of Patras, Department of Chemistry, Greece.

LANGUAGES
-GREEK, Mother tongue
-ENGLISH, ITALIAN, excellent Reading, Writing and Oral skills; Diplomas Obtained: First Certificate of English language, Cambridge University (level B2); and Certificato Italiano come Lingua Straniera, Università di Siena (level C2)
-SPANISH, with good skills.
CURRENT RESEARCH WORK
Characterization of the c10orf118 protein in breast cancer cell lines: study of its role in the cross-talk with stromal cells. This protein is known as a Golgi-protein, even though in the literature is not well characterized. We found this protein within the breast tumor cells, as well as in the conditioned media. Importantly, we found that this protein can affect positively the hyaluronan production by the stromal cells. Currently, we are working on the secretion mode of this protein which, most probably, occurs through the exosomes.
EVALUATION OF PUBBLISHED ARTICLES
Results obtained from the site “www.scopus.com”:
 Number of publications: 76
 Citations: 4247
 h-index: 34
RESEARCH GRANT HOLDER
- PRIN-2017 (Progetti di Ricerca di Interesse Nazionale 2009), from the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) entitled ¨ Host-breast tumour microenvironment: study of key molecules secreted by stromal and tumour cells and their role on the modification of extracellular matrix, with special attention on hyaluronan, and on the enhancement of breast cancer progression.¨. (Principal Investigator of the all project and responsible for the research unit of the University of Varese, Total Funding: € 450.000).
- PRIN-2009 (Progetti di Ricerca di Interesse Nazionale 2009), from the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) entitled ¨Effects of sulphate deprivation on glycosaminoglycan metabolism and chondrocyte apoptosis¨. (Responsible for the research unit of the University of Varese, Funding: € 80.000).
AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS
- 2011 Award for best oral presentation "FEBS-MPST 2011 Young Investigator Award" entitled "Extracellular matrix perturbation in human cells and tissue affected with Down syndrome", FEBS-MPST, Spetses, Greece.
- 2009 Fellowship for Teaching Staff Mobility at the University of Patras.; Lifelong Learning Program-Erasmus, academic year 2008-2009,
- 2006 Short-Term Fellowship from FEBS-Federation of European Biochemical Societies for the scientific program entitled "Regulation of hyaluronan synthases by post-translational modifications and interaction with other proteins" at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Uppsala, Sweden.
PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECTS
- “Human ECM-based platform for anti-cancer drug testing - CARES (CAncer dRug tESting) ”funded under HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), duration 4 years (starting date 01-11-2023), Coordinated by ASOCIACION CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION COOPERATIVA EN BIOCIENCIAS, Spain, in collaboration with: i) UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DELL'INSUBRIA, ii) PANEPISTIMIO PATRON iii) UNIVERSITAET FUER BODENKULTUR WIEN iv) UNIVERSITAET MUENSTER, v) SEREND-IP GMBH, vi) OULUN YLIOPISTO, vii) PROBIONT OY, viii) CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS and with partners: UNIVERSIDAD DEL NOROESTE DE LA PROVINCIA DE BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, and UNIVERSITE LYON 1 CLAUDE BERNARD. Grant agreement ID: 101130985, DOI 10.3030/101130985
- “H2020- Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (MSCA-RISE)”; abbreviation: GLYCANC; duration 48 months. Coordinated by Prof. Martin Gotte Westfaelische Wilhelms University-Munster, Germany, in collaboration with: i) Università degli studi dell’Insubria, ii) University of Patras, Greece iii) Uppsala University, Svezia iv) Institute of Biology “Demokritos” Greece, v) Cairo University, Egypt, vi) Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, vii) EWHA Womens University, Korea, viii) National University of the Northwest of Buoenos Aires, Argentina.
- “ Seventh Framework Programme – Marie Curie Actions – International Research Staff Exchange Scheme”, abbreviation: INFLAMA, duration 36 months. Coordinated by Università degli studi dell’Insubria in collaboration with: a) Westfaelische Wilhelms University-Munster, Germany, b) Harvard University, Boston, USA, c) Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro.
REVIEWER FOR THE EVALUATION OF RESEARCH PROJECTS
• Reviewer for a Greek Research funding “The THALES Programme” about “Reinforcement of the interdisciplinary and/or inter-institutional research and innovation with the possibility of attracting high standard researchers from abroad through the implementation of basic and applied excellence research”. The program was co-financed by the European Union (European Social Fund - ESF) and Greek national funds through the Operational Program “Education and Lifelong Learning” of the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF).
• Reviewer within the framework of the FIR 2014 research funding for the University of Catania, Italy.
PARTICIPATION IN COMMITTEES FOR EVALUATION AND/OR SELECTION OF PERSONEL AND POST-DOC FELLOWSHIPS
• Secretary of the committee for the selection of a three years contract research position at the University of Catania in the section 05/E1-Biochimica Generale, SSD BIO/10, according to the D.R. n. 1391 of 29.03.2024.
• Secretary of the Committee for the selection of the Senior and Junior Fellowships of the University of Insubria for the academic years. 2013/2014, 2014/2015, and 2019/2020 appointed by D.R. Rep. N. 1475/2013.
• Open competition for a position of a Technician of Category D, in the Department of Biomedical Experimental and Clinical Sciences, in the University of Insubria, Italy, November 2008.
MEMBER OF EDITORIAL BOARD OF JOURNALS
• Guest editor of the Special Issue "Impact of Extracellular Matrix on Cellular Behavior: A Source of Molecular Targets in Disease" of the International Journal "BioMed Research International" of Hindawi;
• Member of the Editorial Board of the International Journal "Dataset papers in Biology" of Hindawi.
REFEREE OF ARTICLES AND CHAPTERS OF INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL AND BOOKS
Evaluation of a Book of Imperial College Press, 2008, and of original Manuscripts and Reviews of various journals, such as: FEBS Journal, J Biol Chem, PlosOne etc.
MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION OF CONFERENCES
• 5th FEBS Advanced Lecture Course on Matrix Pathobiology, Signaling and Molecular Targets, Rhodes-Greece, 24-29 September 2015 (International relevance).
• Annual meeting of Regions Liguria - Lombardia - Piemonte of the Italian Society of Biochemistry, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy, 28 May 2010, (National relevance).
PARTICIPATION IN PhD COMMITTEE
• Member of the examining committee of “Dottorato di ricerca in Tecnologie e Scienze per la Salute dell’Uomo”, at 31/03/2026, for the evaluation of the PhD thesis of the candidates: Francesco Cancilla, Francesco La Monica, Gabriele Lo Buglio (double degree with the University of Copenhagen), and Emanuela Peri. (UNPA-CLE-Prot. 9360-21/01/2026-D.R n461/2026)
• Member of the examining committee (School of Medicine, University of Crete, 15-06-2015) for the evaluation of the PhD thesis of the candidate Doctor Aikaterini Kouvidi entitled "Study on the effect of proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans on the cell functions of fibrosarcoma and investigation of the role of growth factors".
• Member of the examining committee (General Assembly, Department of Chemistry, 14 / 22-12-2009) for the evaluation of the PhD thesis of the candidate Doctor Xanthi Stachtea entitled "Biochemical and molecular approach to the role of hyaluronic acid and collagen VI in cells obtained from individuals with Down syndrome".
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
• Participation in two (2) European courses Blended Intensive Programs (BIPs) of the course Technicians in Radiology and Medical Imaging: i) Assessment methods in medical imaging quality (AMELY) in Lisbon, 30/08/2024-10/09/2024; ii) Comparison among European Practices in Medical Imaging and Therapy (BIP – CEP-MIT), Brussels, 28/08/2025-05/09/2025.
• Chemistry and Biochemistry to undergraduate students of Bachelor degrees of the School of Medicine; University of Insubria, Italy.
• Post-graduate course of Biochemistry to the Specialization of Clinical Biochemistry, of the Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Italy.
• Teaching under the “Erasmus Staff Mobility for Teaching” program February 2014, March 2009, May 2025- Seminars on Biochemistry and Molecular Biology to under- and post-graduate student of the Department of Chemistry of the University of Patras, Greece; June 2022 – seminars in Master and PhD candidates in Nursing, University of West Attica, Greece.
• •Supervisor of Italian and European Erasmus: PhD candidates, Master thesis in Biochemistry, and undergraduate theses for bachelor’s degrees in Biology or Biomedical Laboratory Techniques.