Graduate Student Representative to the Board, 2025–2026
Alexia Chatzitheodorou is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Physics at the College of Arts and Sciences, specializing in soft matter physics. Her research focuses on liquid crystal elastomers, using geometry and elasticity to develop theoretical frameworks that explain how these materials change shape—informing the design of bio-inspired systems. She is also a member of the BioInspired Institute at Syracuse University.
Originally from Greece, Chatzitheodorou earned her B.Sc. (Honors) in Physics from the University of Dundee in the UK, where she served as a Student Representative for physics undergraduates, a Physics Student Ambassador, and was actively involved in outreach activities. At Syracuse University, she has continued her commitment to science advocacy through teaching and mentorship. She has mentored undergraduate and high school students through the SUPER-Tech SHIP Summer Research Program and has served in the Physics Graduate Organization and the Physics Colloquium Committee (2023–24). As a co-organizer of the 2025 Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics (CuWiP), she led initiatives to promote professional development. Her growing interest in science policy is driven by a mission to bridge science and societal impact.
In addition to her research and outreach, Chatzitheodorou is deeply engaged in service and community building. She currently serves on the Chancellor Search Committee and the University's Accreditation Steering Committee. Within her department, she organizes the Soft Matter and Biophysics Seminar Series.
Chatzitheodorou serves as the graduate student representative for the 2025–26 academic year. She participates in the Board Academic Affairs and Student Experience Committees and reports to the Board at Executive Committee and full Board meetings.