The Team

Benaki Phytopathological Institute

Anastasaki

Eirini Anastasaki

Dr Eirini Anastasaki is an Associate Researcher at Laboratory of Biological Control at the Benaki Phytopathological Institute (BPI). She has received her bachelor’s degree on Food Science & Technology from Agricultural University of Athens (AUA). Her postgraduate studies focused on the Study and Exploitation of Natural Products and funded through the scholarship of Heraclitus II. Her current interests are the collection and identification of volatile organic compounds from host plants with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), the chemical ecology of insects and their behavioral study using electro-antennography (EAG, GC-EAD). She has co-authored 23 scientific publications in peer reviewed journals and 43 publications in scientific conferences. She has participated in 17 national and international research projects (Horizon 2020, COST, Interreg, HFRI, GCRT, etc.). She is principal investigator (PI) in CENOTOMA project funded from Hellenic Foundation of Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.).

She is the project coordinator, responsible for project management. She will be the contact person on behalf of BPI. She will be involved in the experimental design, data analysis, and in dissemination actions of the project.

milonas

Panagiotis Milonas

Dr Panagiotis Milonas is Agronomist-Entomologist, Head Research Scientist, Head of Scientific Directorate of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, Alternate Director General. He specializes in insect behavioral ecology, integrated pest management and biological control. He has also conducted postdoctoral research in behavioral ecology at the University of Minnesota, USA with a fellowship from OECD and Fulbright foundation. He is the author of more than 1450 peer-reviewed papers and his publications have received over 900 citations, h= 18. He is a member of the Plant Health Panel of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). He is a member of the advisory committee of PhD Candidates, reviewer of research programs (ELIDEK, IKY) and scientific journals. He is/was the Project Manager or participates in several National or European Projects (Horizon 2020, FP7, LIFE, Helleni-Aid, Bilateral Cooperations, Excellence II etc).

He will have an advisory role and will participate in the experimental design, data analysis, and in dissemination actions of the project.

Dimitrios Papachristos

Dr Dimitrios Papachristos is Agronomist-Entomologist, Head Research Scientist in the Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Scientific Directorate of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Benaki Phytopathological Institute. He has received his bachelor’s in agriculture from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki- AUTH, Greece (1996), Postgraduate Diploma in Plant Protection (AUTH, 1998) and Doctorate in Entomology (AUTH, 2002). He has also conducted postdoctoral research concerning the host plant – fruit flies’ interactions and population dynamics at the University of Thessaly, Greece with a fellowship from the State Scholarships Foundation. His research focuses on insect ecology, integrated pest management and bioactivities of secondary plant compounds against insect pests, especially species of the family Tephritidae. His research interests also include the study of biology, ecology and methods to prevent entry or spread of invasive insect species (plant quarantine). He implementation teams of many research projects (RESEARCH-CREATE-INNOVATE, LIFE, FP7, Horizon 2020, Bilateral Cooperations, etc.) and is the coordinator of the national program of quarantine pest surveys. He has published over 40 research papers and his publications have received over 1000 citations.

He will have an advisory role and will participate in the experimental design, data analysis, and in dissemination actions of the project.

antonatos

Spyridon Antonatos

Dr Spyridon Antonatos is an Associate Researcher in the Scientific Directorate of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology. He has a Ph.D in Agricultural Entomology (2011) and MSc degree in Crop Protection and Environment (2003) from Agricultural University of Athens, Greece. He is specializing in population ecology, biology and systematic classification of insects of agricultural importance (Thysanoptera, Hemiptera (Cicadomorpha), Orthoptera), in quarantine insects (surveys, monitoring methods, systematic classification) and alsoin the risk assessment of quarantine insect in host plants. He has participated in several national and European research projects (National Survey Program for quarantine pests, Horizon 2020 – “XF-ACTORS”, HORIZON 2020 – “OFF-Season FF-IPM”) and he has several publications in the field of entomology.

He will participate in data collection, data analysis, and in dissemination actions of the project.

 

partsinevelos

Georgios Partsinevelos

Mr. Georgios Partsinevelos MSc is a graduate of the Department of Agricultural Technology of TEI of Kalamata and has a master’s degree from Newcastle University, UK. Since 2009 he has been working as a research technician having undertaken the mass breeding of insects which are used for the implementation of scientific experiments in the laboratory or in experimental fields and are related to Biological Insect Control, Integrated Pest Management and ecological behavior of insects. He participates in the laboratory supervision and guidance of students at Agricultural Universities and Higher Technological Educational Institutions who prepare an internship or diploma thesis in the laboratory of Biological Control. He has participated in several national and European research projects. He has co-authored 14 scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals and 18 publications in scientific conferences.

He will participate in data collection and in dissemination actions of the project.

Ktima Gerovassiliou

Evagnelos Gerovassiliou

Mr. Evangelos Gerovasileiou is an oenologist and agronomist and is responsible for the supervision of the vineyards and the production of the wines of Ktima Gerovasileiou.

He will have an advisory role and will participate in the experimental design, data analysis, and in dissemination actions of the project.

Sofia Psatha

Ms. Sofia Psatha works as an assistant accountant at Ktima Gerovasiliou. She has experience in monitoring research programs in which Ktima Gerovasiliou, such as Atlas, Bacchus.

She will be involved in the financial management of the project and in the project’s dissemination actions.

Argyris Argyriou

Mr. Argyris Argyriou is an agronomist in the vineyards of Ktima Gerovasiliou, focusing on plant protection. His know-how includes application techniques of new plant protection products. He has participated in other research programs in which Ktima Gerovasiliou, such as the European Atlas program that deals with the development of digital tools in vinery.

He will participate in the experimental design, data collection, data analysis and in dissemination actions.

Stergios Giannos

Mr. Stergios Giannos works as an agronomist in the vineyards of Ktima Gerovasiliou Estate, focusing on overseeing the implementation of plant protection methods.

He will participate in the field experiments.

Grigorios Papoutsis

Mr. Grigorios Papoutsis is a land worker in the vineyards of Ktima Gerovassiliou, focusing on plant protection issues as a sprayer operator.

He will participate in the field experiments.

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH)

kapranas

Apostolos Kapranas

Dr Apostolos Kapranas Agronomist-Entomologist, Associate Professor at the School of Agriculture of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) since November 2021. He studied Agriculture at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece (2000) and holds a Doctorate in Entomology from University of California, Riverside (2006). He specializes in Agricultural entomology, Integrated Pest Management and Biological pest control. He has held numerous academic research and teaching positions including a ‘Marie Curie Fellowship’ in the University of Nottingham, UK, and postdoc appointments in National University of Ireland, Maynooth and the University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland. He worked as Associate Researcher at Benaki Phytopathological Institute (2017-2021). He is member of editorial board of Bulletin of Entomological Research, Frontiers in Microbiology and Plant Science, Frontiers in Forests and Global Change και Entomologia Hellenica. He also participates in the European Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) for biological control agents. During the last 10 years, he has participated in 9 International Research Programs. He has co-authored 40 scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals (google h = 14), 3 book chapters, and 46 publications in scientific conferences.

He will be the responsible on behalf of AUTH and he will be involved in the experimental design, data analysis, and in dissemination actions of the project.

koveos

Dimitrios Koveos

Dimitrios S. Koveos, Dr, PhD is Rector and Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Auth), and Professor of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, at the School of Agriculture. He graduated from the School of Agriculture, Auth, and has two PhDs; one in biology from the University of Amsterdam, Department of Pure and Applied Ecology (1995) and one from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in Entomology-Acarology (1990). He has been a research scientist for more than 30 years in the School of Agriculture and the University of Amsterdam, carrying out research in different topics of biology, ecology and control of insects and mites.  He has a more than 30 years teaching experience and taught courses of Entomology, Acarology and Zoology to graduate and post-graduate students in Auth, Democritus University of Thrace and University of Thessaly, Greece. He has published more than 170 research papers in international and Greek journals (63 of them in SCI journals) and in proceedings of congresses, 4 books, 4 laboratory manuals and 2 PhD Thesis. According to Google- Scholar and Scopus, there are more than 1611 and 1020 cross references respectively (h index 23 and 19). He has been principle investigator (Scientific responsible) in more 75 research programs and reviewer of more than 80 research articles and research projects. He has participated in 30 Greek and international Congresses. He has been invited to organize symposia at International Congresses. He has presented, as invited speaker, more than 50 lectures to Greek agriculturists and growers in various areas of Greece concerning agriculture, integrated management and organic farming. He was Head of the School of Agriculture, Auth, (2011-2013), Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment (2013 -2019), Vice Rector, AuTh (2019-2023) and Rector (2023 to date), Vice-Chairman of the Management Board of the University Student Club (2013-2019) and Director of the Laboratory of Applied Zoology and Parasitology (2015 to date). He has been a member of the Steering Committee, Management Board and Executive Board of the Epicur European University Alliance (2019 to date).

He will have an advisory role and he will participate in dissemination actions of the project.

kouloussis

Nikos Kouloussis

Dr Nikos Kouloussis is a Professor of Entomology at the School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He has specialized in insects of economic importance (fruit flies) for over 25 years. He has 46 peer-reviewed publications in this area (Scopus h-index 18), over 100 other publications in Greek journals and Congresses, and a close association with the international community of entomologists. He has been invited to serve as an expert scientist by the International Atomic Energy Agency (FAO), engaging with other experts in various research areas. In 2019 he was invited by the Charles Darwin Foundation in the Galapagos islands to give a talk and contribute his expertise towards the management of the invasive fly Philornis downsi that threatens the existence of the iconic Darwin finches. In 2006 he was elected an ordinary member and still represents Greece on the International Fruit Fly Board. Between 2009-2010, he was honored as a Fulbright Scholar and performed his sabbatical at the University of California (Davis). His research spans across the broader area of insect biology and ecology. He is particularly interested, and has experience in insect biodemography and ageing, managing pests with modern approaches and techniques, and chemical ecology of fruit flies, while recently he has extended his research to insect physiology. He has achieved considerable and competitive funding by international organizations and has participated as a collaborator in several other research programs. He has experience in supervising PhD and MS students. He has contributed to the organization of several national and international scientific congresses and various other public scientific events. 

He will participate in filed experiments and in dissemination actions of the project.

kokkari

Anastasia Kokkari

Dr Anastasia Kokkari is a Postdoctoral researcher at the Laboratory of Applied Zoology and Parasitology of the School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. She also serves as a Temporary Teaching Staff at the School of Agriculture (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki). She has a BSc in Agricultural Sciences (2011), a Master of Science in Crop Protection (2014) and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Entomology (2019) from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She was awarded an MSc and a Ph.D. scholarship from the Greek Scholarships Foundation (I.K.Y.) in 2012 and 2016 respectively. The subject of her doctoral thesis was the study of the olive fruit stimuli in the behavior of the olive fruit fly. Her research focuses on insect-plant interactions, the biology of insects and mites and integrated pest management. Her publication record includes 4 publications in SCI journals and 18 participations at conferences. She has participated in 8 projects.

She will participate in the conduct of experiments, the analysis of the results and the dissemination actions of the project.

kamou

Natalie Nefeli Kamou

Dr Natalie Nefeli Kamou is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Laboratories of Applied Zoology and Parasitology and Plant Phytopathology of the School of Agriculture, Aristotle University
of Thessaloniki, Greece. She is an Agronomist (BSc, MSc, PhD) with significant research
experience in revealing new biological control agents that act against phytopathogenic fungi
and in the identification of microbial metabolites (antibiotics, enzymes, antifungal
metabolites, etc.) using analytical techniques. She defended her Doctoral Thesis entitled
“Biocontrol characteristics of Pseudomonas chlororaphis ToZa7, Serratia rubidaea S55,
Serratia marcescens Piha5II and Bacillus cereus S76 strains, from Greek agroecosystems”, at
the Plant Pathology Laboratory, with further training in this context with an IKY scholarship
at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala (Sweden). After receiving
her PhD, she carried out Postdoctoral Research at AUTH focusing on scientific programs
related to analytical chemistry and Phytopathology. She worked from 2018 to 2022, as an
Adjunct Lecturer, in the framework of the Cardiff Metropolitan University-certified
undergraduate study program of Perrotis College, in the Post-secondary Education and
Training Group and as an hourly lecturer in PMS: Sustainable Agriculture and Business in
International University of Greece (I.P.A.) with project subject: teaching “Integrated Disease
Management” course. In addition, she is employed as a scientific collaborator in programs of
specialized experiential training of producers which are implemented in collaboration with
the AUTH and the American College of Agriculture. She has published 7 research papers in peer-reviewed international journals and 18 communications in scientific conferences (h-
index = 5).