Archives

Dr. George Zalidis

George Zalidis graduated from the Agronomy Department of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with doctoral studies at the Department of Soil Science and postdoctoral studies in Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering Department at the State University of Michigan US.

Today, he is the  Director of the Laboratory of Remote Sensing, Spectroscopy and Geographical Information Systems, and member of the Laboratory of Applied Soil Sciences at the Department of Agriculture of the School of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He is also the  Scientific Coordinator of Interbalkan Environment Center (i-BEC) since 2007.

His research focuses on issues of quality and restoration of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, the use of Earth observation data (space and terrestrial) in the  Societal Benefit Areas, the OECD indicators of sustainable development and the use of spectral data in the monitoring of agricultural ecosystems and natural terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

 

CURRENT POSITION

  • Professor of Pollution and Soil Degradation, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Land Reclamation Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, Laboratory of Applied Soil Science.
  • Director of the Laboratory of Remote Sensing, Spectroscopy and G.I.S., Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Agriculture.
  • Member of the Laboratory of Applied Soil Science. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Agriculture.
  • Scientific Director, Interbalkan Environment Center (I-BEC)
  • Member, Hellenic Quality Assurance & Accreditation Agency (HQA) Council
  • Representative of the Hellenic Republic, Ministry of Rural Development and Food at the international Group on Earth Observations Global Agricultural Monitoring Initiative (GEOGLAM) of GEO.

Dr. Evdokia Krystallidou

Dr. Evdokia Krystallidou received her PhD in Animal Nutrition and an MSc in Dairy Animal Science from the University of Reading after being awarded a scholarship from IKY (Greek state scholarship institute). She holds Diplomas in Animal Production from the Technological Educational Institution (TEI) of Thessaloniki and ASPAITE (certified educator).

She worked as a part time lecturer at the Technological Educational Institution (TEI) of Thessaloniki and Larisa and as an advisor at Hellenic Feed Industries (ΕΛΒΙΖ).

She acted as program Leader for the Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals in Animal Management program. He teaches at Perrotis College and the Adult Education Program of the American Farm School. She is the Senior Project Manager of the SPMO Strategic Programs Management Office where she is responsible for many research projects.

Her research interests include animal nutrition and its impact on animal products and human health, monitoring feed formulations to meet quality performance and animal health standards, and evaluating chemical and nutritional value of feeds.

Dr. Chrysoula Tassou

Dr. Chrysoula Tassou, born in Xanthi, with BSc in Biology from National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Ph.D in Food Microbiology from University of Bath, UK, and postdoc in Colorado State University, USA, is Research Director, Deputy Director and President of the Scientific Council of the Institute of Technology of Agricultural Products (ITAP) of the Hellenic Agricultural Organization DEMETER (HAO-DEMETER). She is also deputy member of the Scientific Council of HAO-DEMETER.

Her research fields are: Food Microbiology-Safety (pathogens, mycotoxins), Food microbial diversity, Emerging technologies in Food Microbiology/ Technology/ Preservation, Natural antimicrobials, Fermented traditional products (olives, wine, meat & dairy), Functional foods – Probiotics. She has more than 80 scientific publications in SCI journals, 15 scientific book chapters, >200 articles in conference proceedings (citations 4750, h-index: 33, i10-index: 68, May 2020).

Dr. Tassou has implemented successfully as Coordinator (FP7-SME-2008-PROBIOLIVES; FP7-SME-2012-WILDWINE; 14 partners, budget of 2.000.000€ each, PROBIODAIRYMEAT) or as Scientific Leader for ITAP, more than 30 competitive EU and national research projects, attracting significant funding for ITAP.

In parallel, Dr. Tassou is serving as reviewer, editor and guest editor in many SCI scientific journals, president of the Greek Scientific Society “Mikrobiokosmos”, member of international scientific societies and expert evaluator or reviewer with great experience for national and EU projects (FP7, ERC, H2020, BBI). She is member of the working groups of “Food Safety”, “Food Processing and Packaging” and “Nutrition-Health-Consumers” of the Greek Technology Platform “Food for Life”, member of the European Technology Platform ETP “Food for Life”.

She is co-inventor of the patent «Probiotic olives» and team member for the development of innovative food products with the 1st or 2nd prize in ECOTROPHELIA 2012, 2016, 2017. She has been awarded in 2013 by the Minister of Rural Development and Foods for the research on probiotic traditional fermented foods.

She has teaching experience in graduate and postgraduate level (Universities of Patras and West Attica) and is Supervisor for many PhD and MSc students of Cranfield University (UK), Reading University (UK), Agricultural University of Athens, Democritus University of Thrace and Aegean University.

She is married to Prof. George-John Nychas (Agricultural University of Athens) and mother of 3 children. Member of the Lyceum Club of Greek Women.

Dr. George-John Nychas

Prof. George-John Nychas is a Food Microbiology Professor and the head of the Laboratory of Microbiology and Biotechnology of Foods (LMBF) of Agricultural University of Athens, which was established in 1994. From March 2010 till July 2011 was the President of the Greek National Food Authority (EFET – www.efet.gr). He was member of the EFSA – Biohazard group, expert in Predictive modelling / Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) while recently he has joined the ERWG of EFSA. He has coordinated 6 EU projects, 14 Greek and participated in more than 23 EU projects, and 10 concerted Action (his lab was funded with more than 10,0M €). He has published 269 papers (Scopus, with > 13000 citations and h=66), 25 chapters in specialized books and 110 Proceedings of World Conferences with or without judges.

Through these projects, the research team of Professor Nychas has gained valuable experience in the following subjects: i) assessment of food safety and spoilage through microbiological analysis (pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms), ii) physicochemical analysis in combination with statistical methods of multivariate analysis (MCFA, PCA, discrete analysis – discriminant analysis and cluster analysis) and iii) the development of mathematical models for the behavior of microorganisms and their metabolites (eg mycotoxins) in food chain. He has organized> 10 scientific conferences and international conferences. He supervised 23 doctoral theses, 18 postgraduate theses (3 in collaboration with abroad), and so far he has more than> 50 graduate (experimental) studies.

He was a member: (i) of the Group of Biological Hazards in the European Food Safety Authority [May 2003-June 2006] (ii) Member of the External Review Working Group of EFSA (May 2012 – Dec. 2015) and (iii) of the team for informing the European Parliament on food safety issues (1st / 2006 -12nd / 2007). He is: (i) Expert of the Directorate General for Health and Consumer Health (DG SANCO) of the European Union, and (ii) President of the Food Safety Team on the European food4life platform. International recognition: (A) in working groups for shaping or making decisions / work upon invitation, (B) in editorial boards> 7 scientific journals, (C) in international and national scientific associations (member of IAFP, Member of the Hellenic Agricultural Academy), and ( D) he was awarded the 2017 International Leadership Award by the International Association of Food Protection (IAFP).

Dr. Serko Haroutounian

Prof. Haroutounian is born in Athens and received his B.Sc. degree of Chemistry from the University of Patras. He pursued doctoral studies through collaboration between the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA) and the University of Illinois (U of I) and carried out postdoctoral research in the USA with Prof. J.A. Katzenellenbogen. After serving two years the Greek Navy, in 1989 he joined the AUA faculty as Lecturer, while during 1992–93 he returned to the U of I as visiting professor. In 2002 he was promoted to AUA professor at the Laboratory of Nutritional Physiology and Feeding, while from 2018-19 he served as elected vice-rector of AUA for Academic, Administrative and Student Affairs. In 2019 he was appointed chairman of the board of directors of HAO-DEMETER, a position he also served during the period 2013-15.
His research is focused on the Chemistry of Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Compounds, with specific interest in the development of novel bioactive preparations for utilization as food additives, functional foods, biocides and medicines for humans-animals. He has authored 148 articles published in international scientific journals-books and holds two patents. He is the editor of one international scientific journal and editorial board member of three journals. His research projects and activities concern the development of novel bioactive preparations, the circular economy, the development of the rural sector of Greece and the mitigation of climate change consequences. In this context, he has coordinated the successful implementation of 32 research projects, funded by the EU, the Greek government and private companies. Currently, he coordinates the implementation of six research projects. In 2008, his project DIONYSOS was awarded by the EU as best of the best environmental project of the year.

He has participated in numerous Greek and EU committees, assembled for the establishment of research frameworks and the development of the agro-industrial and agro-food sectors. He has collaborated with cooperatives and regions of Greece on issues concerning the rural development and the exploitation of traditional Greek products. These initiatives have provided data for the singularity recognition of various local agricultural products with particular historical and economical interest, such as the fava and tomataki of Santorini, tsipouro of Tyrnavos, kashkaval and tsalafouti cheeses, which led to their certification as PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) or PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) products. Currently, he is collaborating with the Regions of Northern Aegean and Epirus for the certification of five traditional agricultural products.

Mr. Tassos Haniotis

Tassos Haniotis is Director for “Strategy, Simplification and Policy Analysis” in the DG for Agriculture and Rural development of the European Commission. The mission of the Directorate is to contribute to the overall strategic orientation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) by (i) providing policy perspectives and analysis on topics related to the agriculture and rural economy in the European Union, including in the development of the EU’s annual outlook baseline, (ii) coordinating the DG’s impact assessment of major policy initiatives by providing evidence-based analysis to support legislative proposals, and to support the adaptation of the CAP through the evaluation of its effectiveness, efficiency and impact based on its common monitoring and evaluation framework.

He has also held posts as Acting Director for Direct Payments, as Head of Unit in the Units for Agricultural Policy Analysis and Perspectives, and for Agricultural Trade Policy Analysis in DG AGRI, as Deputy Head of Cabinet of former European Commissioner for Agriculture Franz Fischler, and as Agricultural Counsellor in the European Commission’s Delegation in the US.

Tassos holds Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Agricultural Economics from the University of Georgia in the U.S., and a B.A. in Economics from the Athens University of Economics and Business in his native Greece, and was a visiting Fellow at the Centre for European Agricultural Studies, Wye College, University of London, focusing on EU-US agricultural trade relations in the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations before joining the European Commission.

A member of the Executive of the International Agricultural Trade Research Consortium during 2012-14, Tassos currently represents the European Commission in the G20’s Rapid Response Forum and GEOGLAM Advisory Committee.

Mr. Anthony D. Papayannides

Has read Law in Athens University. Post-graduate studies in Law, Economics and International Relations and in Medieval History in Strasbourg and Cambridge.  DEA European Law, DIHEE European Economy. Practiced business law and EU law. Consultant on E.U. topics to the Athens Daily Newspaper Publishers’ Association.

Member, then national representative, of the negotiating team for the Integrated Mediterranean Programmes. Counsellor to the Alternate Minister for Foreign Affairs, Counsellor to the Minister for Culture, Chairman of the Committee of Cultural Affairs at the E.U. Council. Consultant to the Bank of Greece. Founding member and member of the Board of a number of European affairs institutes and reviews in Greece (EKEME, EKEM, EEK)

From 1972 onwards a journalist and then a columnist at the Greek political daily “TO VIMA” and at the economic and financial weekly  “ECONOMICOS TACHYDROMOS”, specialising in macro-economic policy European affairs and foreign relations. Has also worked at “ELEFTHEROTYPIA” and “IMERISSIA” newspapers, managing editor of “ELEFHEROS TYPOS”.

Writes a bi-weekly column at “NAFTEMPORIKI”. Presently managing director of ECONOMIA Publishing, (“ECONOMIKI EPITHEORISSI”, “BUSINESS FILE”; writes a daily blog at economia.gr). Participates to the talk show “Evening Report” at ACTION 24 Channel.

Mr. Nikos Thymakis

SHORT CV

 

Nikos Thymakis born in Athens in 1971 and hails from Naoussa and Chania. He is Agronomist and is engaged in the Floriculture and Gardening since 1998. He has done studies and construction for over 200 projects. Among other things, he deals with the management of herb farms in terms of organic farming.

He has participated representing Greece in International Floriculture and Horticulture events, as in IGM Tulln (Austria, 2007) and the Taipei Flora Expo (Taiwan, 2010-2011) where he got the 6th place among 31 entries, the better for European country. He was the Project Manager of the Greek participation in Floriade (Netherlands 2012) with the group set up for this purpose, SYNERGIA “Hellenic Garden Team”. For all his activity, the Hellenic Plant Material Exporters Association (HEPMEA) announced him Honorary President. He participated for Greece in IHK Goyang (Korea 2016) with the Hellenic Garden “Anthestiria” along with the award-winning Landscape Architect Konstantina Stara and in 2017, with Hellenic Garden “ Aegean Miracle-the Island of Skyros”

Within partnerships abroad, he worked in Qatar (2012) to palm -management projects  and Halki (Princess Island-Constantinoupolis) (2013-2016) for the construction of the “thematic garden” at the Halki Theological School (1,4ha) , applying the study of  Neapolis University of Paphos.

He was the Director of the Kifissia Flower Show from 2005-2012, boosting the international profile and the dimension of environmental education. A plurality of editorial content in newspapers and magazines as well as television hits on gardening and gardening shows in the last decade.

He is the co-founder of GREEKPALMSOCIETY struggling for the dissemination and preservation of the Cretan Date Palm (Phoenix theophrasti) and member of EUNOPS (European Network of Palm Scientists).

From October 2015 and after a long career in the municipalities of Halandri and Kifissia and the body for the Park of Environmental Awareness “Antonis Tritsis” (110 ha) he works  to the Planning and Development Office Resources of the Municipality of Maroussi, with focus on the European Programs and International Relations.

Since October 2016 he is the Landscape consultant of the Rejuvenation of Ionian Village Campus gardens (Ileia, Greece, 13 ha) . He worked as senior landscape consultant in Stavros Niarchos Foundation Mediterranean Park (Athens ,1.5ha) for 6 months in 2017.

As a Landscape Consultant is convinced that the “landscaping” is a “tool” of cultural, tourism -and not only- to promote our country. In particular, it enhances the dynamics of sustainable and self-sustaining “Hellenic Garden” worldwide with his activities. He is a member of several voluntary organizations concerned with the green and the environment.

He was Senior Adviser to the Ministry of Rural Development and Food (Ministers Office) and President of Institute of Agricultural Sciences (Syggros Estate-Athens, 100ha) from 1st September 2010 -31st August 2020 .

Currently he is the Director o ELGO DEMETER “Syggros Horticulture ,Garden Design and Landscaping School” as much as member of the board of Institute of Agricultural Science and “Metropolitan Green of Athens S.A” (Historical Parks of National Garden of Athens.

 

Dr. Eleni Maloupa

Dr. Eleni Maloupa (BSc Agronomy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, MSc & PhD in Plant Biology and Physiology, “Pierre et Marie Curie” University of Paris) is Director of the Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources, Head of the Laboratory for the Conservation and Evaluation of Native and Floricultural Species (LabCENFS) and Curator of the Balkan Botanic Garden Kroussia.

Her research fields focuses on protection, conservation, propagation and utilization of native Greek plant species (mainly aromatic-medicinal). She has teaching experience in graduate and postgraduate level (Universities, MAICH). She participated in the MSc program “The biodiversity and sustainable exploitation of native plants” (School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) and supervise MSc and PhD thesis in school of Pharmacy and Athens Agronomy University. Her research work has been published in more than 60 international and Greek journals. She has also participated in the publication of 3 book chapters.

She has implemented major research programs in collaboration with internationally renowned researchers. She has organized and materialized educational programs and seminars addressed to farmers, enterprises and interested civilians on the above-mentioned subjects. She has educational certification for adult training from the National Organization for the Certification of Qualifications & Vocational Guidance (EOPPEP).

Abstract (EN/GR): here

Dr. Dimitrios Vlachos

Professor Vlachos is the Director of the Laboratory of Statistics and Quantitative Analysis Methods, Logistics and Supply Chain Management (LASCM) of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), Greece.

He conducts research and consulting in the fields of supply chain management, logistics, applied operational research, combined transport systems management, business restructuring and strategy development. He has participated in more than 60 research projects (in 15 of them as a principal investigator) in the field of Supply Chain Management, and he has co-authored the respective technical reports.

He has published more than 200 papers in scientific journals, conference proceedings and book chapters. He has participated as a consultant or expert in numerous projects funded by public and private organizations. He is President of the Greek Association of Supply Chain Management (EELBE).