Rank/Position: Professor, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Scientific Field: Dairy & Dairy Products Technology Faculty/Department/Research Institution: Department of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Thomas Moschakis is a Professor in the Department of Food Science & Technology of the Department of Agriculture, School of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He graduated from the Department of Food Science & Technology of the Agricultural University of Athens and continued his postgraduate studies at the School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds (England), from where he obtained the degrees of M.Sc. (2002) and Ph.D. (2006). In the period 2008-2009 he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Faculty of Agriculture of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

His research interests focus on: Microencapsulation of bioactive ingredients (e.g. probiotic microorganisms) in dairy products for incorporation with enhanced protection – Investigation of factors affecting shelf stability, texture, rheological properties and microstructure of milk and its products – Stabilization of food emulsions using nanoparticles – Study of milk proteins and polysaccharides as well as their interactions in the stabilization of dispersion systems – Investigation of factors affecting lipolysis – Design and development of dairy products with improved dietary properties – Mapping and mapping of the special characteristics of traditional dairy products.

He has published, with his collaborators, 46 research papers in international peer-reviewed journals (SCI), 2 research papers in other international peer-reviewed journals, 21 articles in books and conference proceedings and over 100 presentations at international and national conferences (>1650 citations, h – index = 22, Scopus) (>2250 citations, h – index = 26, Google scholar). He has also filed two patents with the following organizations: Hellenic Industrial Property Organization & World Intellectual Property Organization. Furthermore, he participated in research programs and was scientifically responsible for > 15 research and development programs funded mainly by the Greek Food Industry.

Rank/Position: Associate Professor, University of Thessaly

Scientific Field: Apiculture

Faculty/Department/Research Institution: Department of Animal Science, University of Thessaloniki

He graduated from the Department of Agriculture of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in 2000. In 2003 he received a master’s degree in Horticulture and Viticulture Science and in 2008 he was awarded a PhD from the Department of Agriculture of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in the subject of apiculture. He has carried out postdoctoral research at the Department of Biology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and at the French National Center for Scientific Research (C.N.R.S.).

In 2023, he was elected Assistant Professor of Applied Apiculture in the Department of Animal Production Science and in 2024, he was appointed Director of the Applied Apiculture Laboratory of the University of Thessaly.

He has published 23 articles in international peer-reviewed journals in all research fields of apiculture, more than 40 presentations at international scientific conferences and more than 12 presentations at national scientific conferences. He has participated in numerous research projects in Greece and abroad and has been elected Secretary and Vice-President of the European Federation of Professional Beekeepers (E.P.B.A.) for 14 years.

Rank/Position: Associate Professor, University of Thessaly

Scientific Field: Molecular Microbiology and Quality of Fishery Products and Food

Faculty/Department/Research Institution: Department of Agriculture, Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment, University of Thessaly

Dr. Fotini F. Parlapani is Associate Professor of Molecular Microbiology and Quality of Fishery Products – Food at the Department of Agriculture, Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Thessaly. Before her advancement to the rank of Associate Professor, she served for five years as Assistant Professor (2021–2025), while previously she had carried out several years of postdoctoral research (2014–2021) as a fellow and research associate. In parallel, she had gained significant teaching experience, as well as experience as a visiting researcher at international academic and research centers, including Oregon State University in the USA and the University of Torino in Italy.

Her scientific work focuses on the microbial quality and safety of fishery products and foods, the use of modern molecular and -omics technologies, the study of microbial spoilage, foodborne pathogens and antibiotic resistance, as well as the development of innovative risk monitoring systems along the production chain. In this context, she has developed new approaches to tracking and monitoring microbial and chemical risks throughout the production chain of fishery products, in fish farming, mussel farming and fisheries, with the aim of supporting stakeholders in the prevention and timely response to problems related to food quality and safety, thus contributing to One Health.

Dr. Parlapani is Scientific Manager in four competitive research programs, including one HORIZON-IA, a project under the call of the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) Food and two ELIDEK research programs, while in the last three years she has submitted four HORIZON-RIA proposals as Coordinator and three more as a partner. She is also Deputy Scientific Director and member of the research team in a PRIMA project and a Norwegian project, which has been recognized and included in the UN Ocean Decade for Sustainable Development 2021–2030.

In addition, she has supervised or participated in examination committees of more than 100 theses, including five doctoral theses, contributing substantially to the education of young scientists. Her published work includes more than 100 scientific papers in international journals, conferences and collective volumes, while her international impact is reflected in more than 2,300 citations and an h-index of 24. For her work, Dr. Parlapani has been included three times in the “World’s Top 2% Scientists List” for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024, in the field of Food Science–Microbiology, according to a study by Stanford University, USA, based on Scopus data.

In 2023, she was invited by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to participate as a speaker in a webinar as part of the IAFP Annual Meeting 2023 in the USA. Her scientific recognition includes, among others, a role as Editor in the journal The Microbe of the publishing house Elsevier and in the Journal of Aquatic Food Product Technology of Taylor & Francis, participation in editorial boards and guest editorships, evaluation of more than 150 articles in international journals, evaluation of research proposals in Greece and abroad, as well as participation in scientific and organizational committees of international conferences. At the same time, she has contributed to innovation and education actions with social impact, which have received international and national distinctions.

Rank/Position: Associate Professor, University of Thessaly

Scientific Field: Food Hygiene of Animal Origin

Faculty/Department/Research Institution: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly

Student Contact Hours: Monday 12:00 – 14:00

Pexara Andreana graduated from the Department of Veterinary Medicine of the Aristotle University of Thessaly in 1999 and received her PhD from the Department of Food Hygiene and Technology of Animal Origin of the same Department in 2005. She was appointed as a Lecturer at the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly in 2008 and after her promotion she serves as an Associate Professor of Food Hygiene of Animal Origin.

In addition to teaching undergraduate courses at the Department of Veterinary Medicine, since the academic year 2007-2008 he has taught courses in various Postgraduate Programs of the University of Thessaly. He has supervised over 20 postgraduate theses, while he was a member of the three-member committee in over 30. He has supervised one doctoral thesis, and is a member of the three-member advisory committee in 3 others that are in progress.

He has published over 30 articles in international peer-reviewed journals, with more than 1,300 references, 25 full papers and 50 abstracts in proceedings of international and national conferences and has written 6 chapters in books. He is a member of the editorial board and a reviewer in reputable international journals.

Rank/Position: Professor, University of Thessaly

Scientific Field: Marketing and Policy of Agricultural and Fisheries Products

Faculty/Department/Research Institution: Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Thessaly

Student Contact Hours: Monday 11:00 – 13:00, Wednesday 12:00-14:00

Mr. Konstantinos Polymeros is a Professor at the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Thessaly. Among others, he is/was President of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Thessaly, President of the Board of Directors of the Society of Agricultural Economics (ET.AGR.O.), Deputy President of the Department of Agriculture, Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment, University of Thessaly, Member of the Steering Committee of the Geotechnical Chamber of Greece, Central Macedonia Branch and President of the Organizing Committee of the 14th Panhellenic Conference of Agricultural Economics.

He has published more than 80 scientific papers in international scientific journals, conference proceedings and has participated in more than 60 international and national conferences. He has participated in the implementation of more than fifteen research programs, was Scientific Manager in an International Program, and participates as a member of the World Bank team for the ex ante evaluation of the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union, for the Programming Period 2022-2030. His international recognition consists in the fact that he is a member of the Editorial Board of seven international scientific journals and a reviewer in more than twenty international scientific journals.