Marko Michael Kiessel, born in Stuttgart in 1972, studied Classical Archaeology, Art History and (ancient) History at the universities of Trier, Köln and Bologna (Erasmus). After graduating with a PhD in Classical Archaeology from the University of Trier in 2005 he conducted a research project as adjunct university scholar for an international exhibition on Constantine I.

He has been working as architectural and art historian, and archaeologist in academic institutions in North Cyprus since 2006. Publications about Greek and Roman architecture and ceramics, and on the vernacular, modern and contemporary architecture of Cyprus are the result of his studies and projects.

Since 2016 he has been leading a non-invasive ground- and aerial survey research project about ancient sites in the Aphendrika area (Karpas peninsula, Cyprus), ranging from the Neolithic to the early Byzantine periods.

His interest in the intersection of architecture and science-fiction film dates back to the design of a postgraduate architectural course in 2013, results of which have been widely published. In 2018 he joined the Faculty of Design at Arkin University of Creative Arts & Design, and the Faculty of Arts in fall 2021.