Who You Are

I grew up in central Greece, near the beautiful and historic region of Mount Olympus. It’s an area filled with incredible natural beauty, stone mountains, and Orthodox monasteries that are built high into the cliffs. Many people visit because of both the religious history and the stunning landscape.

Growing up there gave me a deep appreciation for history and storytelling. I also have a warm and loving family who enjoys visiting together and celebrating holidays and events. Living in a place so connected to family, nature, and tradition shaped a lot of how I see the world.

Outside of my academic life, I love hiking, board game nights, spending time with friends, and discovering new bakeries and coffee shops. I also have a fun little talent—if you give me almost any word, I can probably think of a song with it and start singing it!

What Brought You to Villa

I came to Villa International during a major transition period in my life. While finishing my PhD and applying for postdoctoral positions, I needed short-term housing that offered both flexibility and stability.

I first heard about Villa through colleagues in biomedical research and medicine who had stayed here before and spoke very highly of it. They described it as the perfect place for researchers and physicians who are relocating temporarily for work, and they were absolutely right.

One of the biggest advantages was how easy Villa made everything. Housing, amenities, and daily logistics were already taken care of, which made the move much less stressful and allowed me to focus on my work and career planning.

Christina Niavi brings warmth, curiosity, and a deep sense of community to Villa International. Originally from central Greece, near the legendary region of Mount Olympus, Christina’s story is shaped by both rich history and an exciting future in biomedical research.

Tell Us About Your Work

I completed my undergraduate studies in Greece in molecular biology and genetics and developed my passion for biomedical research. After that, I had the opportunity to complete a one-year internship at the University of Pennsylvania, which gave me valuable international research experience and helped shape my academic path.

I recently completed my PhD in immunology at Emory University as a biomedical researcher. My work focuses on cytokine treatments that can improve T-cell function for patients with cancer and viral infections. This research is especially meaningful to me because it combines scientific discovery with the possibility of directly improving patient care and outcomes.