Dr. Mariza Tsakalerou leads the Engineering Management Programs at SEDS with a blend of academic rigor and industry relevance. Her role in shaping the curriculum and guiding research initiatives is informed by her scholarly pursuits, recognized by the Asian Universities Alliance in 2019-2020. Her academic journey culminated in a PhD from Democritus University of Thrace in 2015, with a thesis that now fuels her active role in innovation research, particularly focusing on the challenges and development of SMEs.

Dr. Tsakalerou's research is marked by a global perspective, sourcing data both locally and internationally to inform her work. Her insightful analysis of innovation models extends across diverse regions, including Kazakhstan, where she explores the cultural, gender, and diversity aspects influencing innovation. Her collaborative projects with industry leaders like Air Astana and Semarco demonstrate her ability to translate research into real-world solutions, particularly in aviation maintenance and offshore construction impact assessment.

Dr. Tsakalerou's teaching portfolio for the Master of Engineering Management (MEM) program encompasses a breadth of subjects, including team leadership, product development, and the impact of globalization and digital transformation on engineering.

Her career path has been global, with significant roles across continents, from Europe to Asia, manifesting her commitment to cross-cultural academic and entrepreneurial synergy. She has held research and academic positions at prestigious institutions such as Hong Kong Polytechnic University, George Washington University, the National University of Singapore and Wenzhou-Kean University in China.

Her influence extends beyond academia, having served as a Ministerial Advisor on e-governance and open administration and now contributing to Vertitech's executive board, a company at the forefront of educational management systems.

Dr. Tsakalerou's participation in international forums, including the OECD Idea Factory and contributions to the Asia-Europe Foundation's Education Hub, underlines her active engagement in shaping global innovation policies.

Her advocacy for gender balance in engineering is recognized by BlueSky Thinking, confirming her role as a pioneer in challenging industry stereotypes and leading by example.

Barriers to innovation, Patent Protection, Innovation Networks, Product Development and Diversity