Maria Kokozidou

Maria Kokozidou is a Researcher at the University Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology in both Nuremberg and Salzburg, affiliated with the Private University of Salzburg (PMU). She holds the academic title PD Dr.med.vet., indicating her expertise in veterinary medicine and research.

Her research focuses on vascular biology, diabetes complications, cellular responses to hyperglycemia, and the therapeutic potential of vitamin K2. Key areas include investigating how diabetes impacts articular chondrocytes, Achilles tenocytes, and intervertebral discs, as well as studying the role of vitamin K2 in mitigating neointimal hyperplasia and calcification in vascular tissues. She has also contributed to understanding placental development through studies on ADAM12 and syncytin proteins.

Dr. Kokozidou has published extensively since 2001, with over 55 peer-reviewed articles. Her recent work emphasizes vitamin K2's effects on diabetic vascular complications, as seen in studies with Zucker diabetic fatty rats and rat models of intervertebral disc degeneration. She has led projects exploring the interplay between osteoarthritis and diabetes, and the efficacy of graft solutions in preserving venous endothelium integrity.

In 2017, she received the Annals of Anatomy Certificate of Outstanding Contribution in Reviewing for her impactful peer-review work. She actively serves on editorial boards, including the Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research and the Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society.

Her research spans disciplines from molecular biology to clinical applications, with a focus on translational medicine. Current interests include biomaterial development for tissue engineering and the application of vitamin K2 in diabetes-related vascular pathologies.