Dr Efthymia Nikita, Assoc. Professor in Bioarchaeology at the Science and Technology in Archaeology and Culture Research Centre (STARC) of The Cyprus Institute, has been named a Top Scholar by ScholarGPS. This prestigious recognition places her at No. 19 globally in archaeology, signifying her as one of the top 0.5% of scholars worldwide. The ScholarGPS accolade highlights her productivity, impactful research, and high-quality publications.

 

Dr Nikita earned her BA in Archaeology from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and went on to complete her PhD in Biological Anthropology at the University of Cambridge. Her post-doctoral work included positions at the Fitch Laboratory of the British School at Athens and the Malcolm Wiener Laboratory of Archaeological Sciences of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. Additionally, she held a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship at the University of Sheffield.

 

With a publication record that includes over 110 articles and book chapters, Dr Nikita has significantly advanced our understanding of past populations. Her research employs biocultural approaches to explore activity, mobility, demography, health, and diet. Her textbook, ‘Osteoarchaeology: A Guide to the Macroscopic Study of Human Skeletal Remains,’ published by Elsevier, received an honorable mention at the American Publishers Awards, highlighting its impact in the field.

 

Since joining The Cyprus Institute in 2016, Dr Nikita has been at the forefront of bioarchaeological research in the Eastern Mediterranean. She has led two Research and Innovation Foundation funded Excellence Hubs projects, supervised two Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellows, two other post-doctoral fellows, and five PhD students. Her team’s research outputs have been prolific, systematically publishing on various aspects of past life in the region.

 

In addition to her research, Dr Nikita has made significant contributions to scholarly resources and outreach. She has been co-Editor in Chief for the second edition of the Encyclopedia of Archaeology as well as for the Journal of Archaeological Science (both published by Elsevier). Her commitment to open access resources and public engagement further amplifies the impact of her work.

 

Dr Nikita’s scholarship has earned her numerous accolades, the most recent being the Dan David Prize in 2022. This prestigious award, the largest history prize in the world, recognizes researchers whose work illuminates the past and fosters a deeper understanding of history.

 

Dr Nikita’s recognition as a Top Scholar by ScholarGPS is another testament to her outstanding contributions to bioarchaeology and the broader field of archaeology.