Despo Minaidou is a registered Speech Language Pathologist from Nicosia.

In May 1986 she received her Bachelor of Science in «Teacher of the Speech and Hearing Handicapped», from Long Island University- C.W. Post Campus in New York, USA.

In May 1988 she completed her Master of Science in “Communication Disorders” from The Pennsylvania State University, USA.

During the period June 1988 to May 1989 she held a contractual position as a Clinical Fellow in Speech Language Pathology in the Head Injury and Neurology Units of the Montebello Rehabilitation Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, which is part of the University of Maryland Medical Systems.

Since June 1989 she is a holder of the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and since September 2005 she is registered by the Council of Registry for Speech Pathologists of Cyprus.

At the beginning of 1990 she became a member of the Association of Speech Therapists of Cyprus and until July 2013 worked at her private practice in Nicosia at which she was responsible for the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of speech/language and communication deficits in children and adults.  She has special interests in neurogenic disorders and feeding and swallowing primarily in pediatrics and adults with cognitive/linguistic deficits. Her diverse caseload included various genetic syndromes.

Since August 2013 she is employed by the Rehabilitation Sciences Department of the Faculty of Health Sciences of C.U.T. as a special teaching staff.

She is an active member of the Association of Registered Speech Pathologists of Cyprus and was president of the national association twice. She was member of the continuing education committee of the national association and from 2007-2013 was one of the two representatives of Cyprus to the CPLOL (Standing Liaison Committee of E.U. Speech Language Therapists and Logopedists).

She was a member of the Council of Registry for Speech Pathologists and also member of the 1st Scientific Multidisciplinary Committee formed to assist the Public Law 117/89, for the Protection of the Human Rights of the Mentally Deficient Individuals.

Additionally she is an active member of the scientific committee of the Pancyprian Conference for Parents, member of the Dyslexia Association of Cyprus and a certified member of ASHA. She is also an affiliate of ASHA Special Interest Groups 11, Administration and Supervision; and 13, Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia).