Maria Demetriou holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Language Therapy from the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Cyprus University of Technology, where her dissertation investigated the connected speech of the Greek-speaking population with fluent and non-fluent aphasia, as well as non-impaired speakers of Modern Greek.

Maria's academic journey also includes completing a Master of Science in Clinical Speech and Language Studies specialising in Dysphagia from the Department of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, Trinity College Dublin. Her dissertation, “Investigating what bolus items are used internationally by clinicians during VFSS and how contrast agent weight-to-volume (w/v) is calculated: An International Survey”, reflects her commitment to advancing the field.
 

Maria has undertaken several internships, including managing paediatric caseloads focusing on autism, speech and language disorders, intellectual disabilities and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders at the University Rehabilitation Clinic of the Cyprus University of Technology and the Cyprus Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth. She also conducted communication therapy sessions for adults with dementia and mild cognitive impairment at the Charitable Association for the Support of People with Dementia “Ithaca”.

Clinical placements at prestigious institutions such as Tallaght University Hospital and Beacon Hospital in Dublin, Ireland have also added to her hands-on experience. During these placements, Maria worked with adult in-patients and out-patients with neurological and respiratory conditions, specialising in the assessment, diagnosis and management of swallowing and communication disorders.
 

Since November 2023, she is employed as a research associate at “The Cyprus Rehabilitating Aphasia & Dysphagia (C-RAD) Lab”.

Maria has attended a series of seminars on various aspects of Speech Therapy. Her professional development includes certifications in areas such as “The Role of Oral Musculature in Swallowing and the Therapeutic Benefits of IOPI”, “Electrical Stimulation in the Normal and Impaired Swallow”, and “Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP) Training”.
 

Maria is a Certified Rater and member of MoCA – Cognitive Assessment, as well as an active member of professional bodies. These include the Cyprus Registration Council for Speech-Language Pathologists, the Cyprus Association of Speech-Language Pathologists, and the European Society for Swallowing Disorders.