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Empathy Training for Regulation
of Inflammation in the Human Body

EmpaTRainy

An innovative project that investigates empathy as a dynamic, trainable capacity and its systemic effects, laying the foundation for transformative advancements in neuroscience, psychology, and public health.

Funded by:
Cyprus's Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF).

Grant No: VISION ERC -PATH 2/0524/0021 – RESTART 2016–2020

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About the project

The project develops and validates a multi-modal framework that integrates advanced physiological measures with psychometric tools to achieve a comprehensive and objective assessment of empathy.

This data along with biomarkers and the implementation of neuroscience-informed training will be combined to explore whether empathic responses can be regulated to alleviate psychosomatic symptoms.

EmpaTRaIny pioneers the exploration of empathy’s biological costs in individuals prone to over-empathizing, and positions empathy as a dynamic and trainable skill.

These hypotheses challenge traditional views and create a foundation for revolutionary interventions in mental health and psychosomatic care.

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The project is co-funded by the EU within the framework of the Cohesion Policy Programme “THALIA 2021-2027”. [VISION ERC-PATH 2/0524/0021]. The content reflects the views of the author(s) only. The European Commission and the Managing Authority of THALIA 2021–2027 cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Activities of the Project

To be announced

Partners or Collaborating Institutions

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Project Coordinator: University of Limassol

The University of Limassol (UoL) coordinates the EmpaTRaIny project, overseeing scientific supervision, experiment design, and dissemination. The UoL research team has strong expertise in psychology, neuroscience, physiological data and empathy measures.

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project team

Meet the EmpaTRainy Team

An interdisciplinary team of researchers, comprising academic and practice knowledge, implemented for the success of EmpaTRaIny.
The team has experience in psychology, cognitive neuroscience, psychophysiological data techniques, empathy research, and educational settings.
 
Kyriaki Mikellidou

Dr. Kyriaki Mikellidou

Assistant Professor – University of Limassol
Dr. Kyriaki Mikellidou is an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Quantitative Research Methods at the University of Limassol, specializing in visual perception and cognition in both healthy and clinical populations using virtual reality, psychophysics, and neuroimaging techniques. She holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of York and is a recipient of the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship. Her research has been published in high-impact journals and presented internationally, and she currently serves as Editor for Perception and i-Perception.
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anastasia kesoglou

Anastasia Maria Kesoglou MSc

Research Assistant and Special Teaching Staff - University of Limassol
Anastasia Maria Kesoglou is a Research Assistant and Special Teaching Staff at the Department of Psychology of the University of Limassol, with an interdisciplinary background in pedagogy, special education, psychology, and cognitive neuroscience. She has previously served as an external Research Specialist in the European program EMPACT at the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), coordinated by Ass. Prof. Efi Kyprianidou and Ass. Prof. Efi Giannis Christidis (Head of the Department of Fine Arts). She has also worked as a Research Associate under the supervision of Ass. Prof. Kyriaki Mikellidou and Ass. Prof. Efi Kyprianidou at the Laboratory of Philosophical Research of Arts and Emotions at CUT.

News

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EmpaTRainy

Volunteering and Well-Being: Social and Psychosomatic Dimensions

05/12/2025
On the occasion of International Volunteer Day (December 5, 2025), EmpaTRaIny Research Associate Ms. Anastasia Maria Kesoglou published an article ...
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newscover kyriaki mikellidou vision erc
EmpaTRainy

 Dr. Kyriaki Mikellidou receives the VISION ERC grant to explore how empathy levels interact with inflammation in the human body

04/11/2025
We’re excited to share that Dr. Kyriaki Mikellidou has been awarded a grant from the Cyprus’s Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) to lead ...
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empatrainy news item#2
EmpaTRainy

How Much Do You See When You Take a Look?– Dr. Kyriaki Mikellidou UoL’s podcast series “Bright Minds at UoL” 

25/08/2025
Dr. Kyriaki Mikellidou, Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Limassol, participated in the University’s podcast series “Bright Minds at UoL” ...
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Contact us

Do you have questions about the
EmpaTRaIny project?

are you interested in learning more, or even
participating in the study ?

Contact the EmpaTRaIny team for questions about the project, participation, or potential collaborations.

Informed Consent Form

Dear Participant,

You are invited to participate in a survey as part of the DiFiCy – Digital Transformation and FinTech: Shaping Cyprus’s Economy research project which is implemented by the University of Limassol, PwC Cyprus and Unity Growth Limited.

The project is co-funded by the European Union within the framework of the Cohesion Policy Programme “THALIA 2021-2027” through the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) in Cyprus [Pr. number: EXCELLENCE/0524/0568].

The study has been approved by the National Bioethics Committee of Cyprus (Approval no.: EEBK EΠ 2025.01.19 )

This project explores digital transformation and FinTech adoption in Cyprus, with a particular focus on SMEs and the broader business ecosystem. It uses a mixed-methods research design, combining survey data with interviews and case study evidence to generate evidence-based insights for policymakers and businesses.

Before deciding whether to participate, please read the following information carefully.

Purpose of Participation

The purpose of this research is to better understand the drivers, challenges, and impacts of digital transformation and FinTech adoption in Cyprus. The findings aim to support evidence-based policymaking, strengthen business practices, and contribute to innovation and economic development.

Your participation involves the following:

Completion of this survey, which takes approximately 15 minutes.

Invitation to take part in an optional interview.

Contribution to a case study or discussion session at a later stage.

Your participation is entirely voluntary, and you are free to decline or withdraw at any time without any consequences.

If you wish to withdraw from the study after submitting your responses, you may do so by contacting the Project Coordinator.

Data Confidentiality and Usage

All data collected will be handled in strict accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Cyprus Data Protection Law (125(I)/2018).

Your data will be treated confidentially, pseudonymised and anonymised, and no personally identifiable information will be disclosed. Data will be securely stored and accessed only by authorised members of the research team. In some cases, qualitative data may be processed using machine learning techniques, such as keyword identification or pattern detection, strictly to support analysis; however, all interpretation and conclusions will be made by the researchers.

Aggregated and anonymised findings derived from the data (e.g., statistical summaries, graphs, and thematic insights) may be used for dissemination activities, including scientific publications, policy reports, infographics, and training materials. These outputs will not contain any information that could directly or indirectly identify participants or their organisations.

Anonymised data may be shared publicly after a 24-month embargo period, while raw or sensitive data will not be publicly available. Access to raw or sensitive data will be granted only upon justified request and consortium approval.

Your participation in this study does not involve any risks.

On the contrary, your contribution may help improve digital and FinTech policies, support SME development and innovation strategies, and enhance the overall business environment in Cyprus.

Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, withdraw requests or complaints, please contact the Project Coordinator, Dr. Snezana Eminidou. Please include “DiFiCy Survey” in the subject line.

Email: snezana@uol.ac.cy

Phone number: +357 22462228

Partnership:

Thank you for your valuable contribution to this research.

The project is co-funded by the EU within the framework of the Cohesion Policy Programme “THALIA 2021-2027” through the Research and Innovation Foundation. [Pr. no. EXCELLENCE/0524/0568]. The content reflects the views of the author(s) only. The European Commission and the Managing Authority of THALIA 2021–2027 cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.