Call for applications — 2026–2027 academic year now open
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- 2026-05-20 13:01:05
A joint MSc offered by Democritus University of Thrace and Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons.
The subject of the Postgraduate Study Program in International Cooperation entitled Precision Medicine In The Development Of Mental Health of the Department of Medicine of the School of Health Sciences of Democritus University of Thrace is the provision of postgraduate-level knowledge through interdisciplinary approaches and practical training in the design and implementation of modern, personalized approaches to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders across all stages of life. The Program aims to provide specialized knowledge and skills that integrate data from genetics, neuroscience, biostatistics, psychopathology, and clinical practice, with emphasis on the development and utilization of biomarkers, multi-omics data, and digital technologies.
The MSc Program «Precision Medicine in the Development of Mental Health” aims to identify, support, and provide in-depth training for health and life scientists in multi-level familiarization and deep knowledge of the spectrum of mental disorders, from birth to adulthood, through a developmental approach, and in staying up to date with developments in the field of research and the utilization of innovative tools related to the use of biomarkers, clinical and imaging techniques, as well as techniques in biology and molecular analysis, with the goal of integrating precision psychiatry into clinical practice for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of developmental mental disorders.
Two distinct Master of Science degrees, awarded jointly upon completion of the full programme.
The Dual Postgraduate Study Master Programme awards two distinct degrees in differentiated scientific areas. Students may choose to receive either or both, provided they successfully complete the full course of study.
To obtain the dual degree, a student must first enroll in and attend the MSc «Precision Medicine in the Development of Mental Health», as specified in the Special Cooperation Agreement. Students admitted to the Programme are considered degree-seeking candidates at both institutions simultaneously.
While enrolled and actively attending courses at DUTH, students hold degree-seeking status at Columbia. Admission requirements are governed by the separate regulations of each programme.
This Regulation further specifies matters concerning the MSc «Precision Medicine in the Development of Mental Health — Genetic Counseling», given that study at each stage follows the separate regulations of the respective institution.
Serve as a catalyst for new scientists to meet the contemporary demands of the scientific field
The main objectives are: (a) to provide broad and deep knowledge in the field of Precision Medicine in the mental health of children and adolescents, (b) to apply clinical skills to advance clinical practice in Mental Health with a focus on developmental and other mental disorders throughout life, (c) to apply research skills and “acquire a toolkit” to advance the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of mental health disorders, and (d) to build an interdisciplinary foundation in the clinical application of Precision Medicine.
The Program additionally aspires to establish a framework of collaboration with neuroscientists and health science researchers from University Institutions in Greece and internationally, to promote and disseminate its subject matter and corresponding research work at scientific events with international participation. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the advancement of up-to-date knowledge and to serve as a catalyst for new scientists to meet the contemporary demands of the scientific field.
Twenty-nine instructors across psychiatry, neuroscience, genetics, and precision medicine — drawn from DUTH, Columbia, and partner universities worldwide.
Categories of Teaching Staff The teaching duties of the M.Sc. are assigned, by decision of its competent body, to the following categories of instructors:
| Instructor | Teaching Courses | Subject Area | Employment Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steven Kushner | B4. Translation Psychiatry B2. Genetic counseling and Clinical Practice |
Psychiatry, Precision Psychiatry | Professor, Columbia University |
| Joseph Gogos | B2. Genetic counseling and Clinical Practice B4. Translation Psychiatry |
Physiology, Cellular Biophysics & Neuroscience | Professor, Columbia University |
| Aspasia Serdari | A1. Developmental Psychopathology | Child Psychiatry | Professor, DUTH |
| Maria Samakouri | A1. Developmental Psychopathology A2. Adult Psychopathology |
Psychiatry | Professor, DUTH |
| Nikolaos Marinakis | A3. Fundamental of Genetics Analysis – Hereditary Neurodevelopmental Disorders | Genetics | Assistant Professor, DUTH |
| Evangelos Manolopoulos | A2. Adult Psychopathology A3. Fundamental of Genetics Analysis – Hereditary Neurodevelopmental Disorders |
Pharmacology, Pharmacogenomics & Precision Medicine | Professor, DUTH |
| George Kolios | A2. Adult Psychopathology A3. Fundamental of Genetics Analysis – Hereditary Neurodevelopmental Disorders |
Pharmacology | Professor Emeritus, DUTH |
| Nikolaos Grogoriadis | A1. Developmental Psychopathology A4. Neuropsychiatric manifestations in Medical and Neurological Disorders. B3. Biomarkers, digital tools and devices |
Neurology | Professor, AUTH |
| Konstantinos Vadikolias | A4. Neuropsychiatric manifestations in Medical and Neurological Disorders. B3. Biomarkers, digital tools and devices |
Neurology | Professor, DUTH |
| Dimitrios Tsiptsios | A4. Neuropsychiatric manifestations in Medical and Neurological Disorders. B3. Biomarkers, digital tools and devices |
Neurology/Neurophysiology | Assistant Professor, AUTH |
| Antonios Voutetakis | A3. Fundamental of Genetics Analysis – Hereditary Neurodevelopmental Disorders | Pediatrics | Professor, DUTH |
| Ioannis Mavridis | A1. Developmental Psychopathology A4. Neuropsychiatric manifestations in Medical and Neurological Disorders. |
Neurosurgery & Pediatric Neurosurgery | Associate Professor, DUTH |
| Gregory Trypsianis | B1. Study Design, Medical Statistics and Bioethics | Medical Statistics | Professor, DUTH |
| Aristedes Katsanos | B1. Study Design, Medical Statistics and Bioethics | Neurology, Research Methodology, Clinical Trial Design | Associate Professor, McMaster University |
| Spyros Kollias | B3. Biomarkers, digital tools and devices | Neuroradiology | Professor, University of Zurich |
| Eustratios Karavasillis | B3. Biomarkers, digital tools and devices | Medical Physics | Associate Professor, DUTH |
| Maria Koffa | A1. Developmental Psychopathology A3. Fundamental of Genetics Analysis – Hereditary Neurodevelopmental Disorders |
Molecular Biology and Genetics | Professor, DUTH |
| Nikolaos Papanas | A4. Neuropsychiatric manifestations in Medical and Neurological Disorders. | Internal Medicine and Diabetes Mellitus | Professor, DUTH |
| Panagiotis Skendros | A4. Neuropsychiatric manifestations in Medical and Neurological Disorders. | Internal Medicine/Immunology | Professor, DUTH |
| Ioannis Mitroulis | A4. Neuropsychiatric manifestations in Medical and Neurological Disorders. B1. Study Design, Medical Statistics and Bioethics |
Internal Medicine/Translational Medicine | Professor, DUTH |
| Aikaterini Arvaniti | A2. Adult Psychopathology | Psychiatry | Associate Professor, DUTH |
| Theofanis Vorvolakos | A2. Adult Psychopathology | Psychiatry | Associate Professor, DUTH |
| Aikaterini Terzoudi | A4. Neuropsychiatric manifestations in Medical and Neurological Disorders. B3. Biomarkers, digital tools and devices |
Neurology | Associate Professor, DUTH |
| Leonidas Panos | A4. Neuropsychiatric manifestations in Medical and Neurological Disorders. B3. Biomarkers, digital tools and devices |
Neurology & Cerebrovascular Diseases | Assistant Professor, DUTH |
| Magdalini Katsikidou | A2. Adult Psychopathology | Psychiatry | Assistant Professor, DUTH |
| Harriet Proios | B3. Biomarkers, digital tools and devices | Communication Sciences and Disorders | Professor, Adelphi University |
| John Heliopoulos | A4. Neuropsychiatric manifestations in Medical and Neurological Disorders. B3. Biomarkers, digital tools and devices |
Neurology/Neuroimmunology | Professor, DUTH |
| Nikolaos Aggelousis | B3. Biomarkers, digital tools and devices | Biomechanics | Professor, DUTH |
| Catherine Kentros | B2. Genetic counseling and Clinical Practice | Genetics | Researcher, Lecturer, MSc Genetic Counseling Program, Columbia University |
Downloadable resources for prospective and enrolled students of the M.Sc. in Precision Medicine in the Development of Mental Health.