I am a chemist (B.Sc.: UoC-Chemistry Dpt, 2017; M.Sc. UoC-Chemistry Dpt & IESL-FORTH, 2020) current working on my PhD degree at the Chemistry Dpt. of the University of Crete. The research part of my thesis is carried out at the Dynamics Group of IESL-FORTH. 

My research focuses on fuel quality evaluation and adulteration detection using spectrscopic techniques combined with machine learning analysis methods.

D. Ladika is a PhD candidate at the Materials Science and Technology Department of the University of Crete, Greece and at IESL, FORTH. He received his MSc in “Photonics and Nanoelectronics” in 2018 from the Department of Physics, University of Crete, and his BSc in Physics in 2016 from the Physics Departments of the University of Patras, Greece.

Education

• 2016-2018:Master Degree "Photonics and Nanoelectronics" by the department of Physics of the University of Crete
• 2011-2016: Bachelor degree in Physics from the Department of Physics of the University of Patras

Interests

• Experimental investigation of the nonlinear optical properties of various solvents and graphene by Z-scan technique using nanosecond and picosecond laser.
• Development of new technique, called Two-Beam Initiation Threshold, in order to determine the order of the nonlinear absorption of photosensitive materials
• Fabrication of 3D nanostructures using Direct Laser Writing

Areti is author and co-author of > 15 peer-reviewed journal and conference papers, matching > 800 citations (h-index is 10). Well versed in EU regulations and procedures, EC funded projects, managing R&D projects, participated in several FP7 projects and WP leader in two H2020 projects. She has been the recipient of several scholarships and awards; in 2019 she has been awarded with a Post-doctoral 'Stavros Niarchos Foundation - FORTH Fellowship' within the project ARCHERS. As a Tech Expert, she currently works as a Technology Transfer Consultant in PRAXI Network/FORTH that is the leading technology transfer and innovation support organization in Greece; where recenty she has been promoted as Head of Unit at the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) at FORTH | PRAXI Network.

Education

• 2013, Ph.D. in Laser Physics, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, University of St. Andrews, Scotland, UK.
• 2009, M.Sc. in Microelectronics & Optoelectronics, Dept. of Physics, University of Crete, Greece.
• 2007, B.Sc. in Physics, Dept. of Physics, University of Crete, Greece.

Career

• 01/2023 - ..., Head of Unit, Technology Transfer Office (TTO) at Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH) | PRAXI Network
• 09/2021 - 12/2022, Technology Transfer Consultant, PRAXI network
• 01/2021 - 12/2021, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, (Heraklion, Greece)
• 07/2018 – 12/2020, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation of Research and Technology-Hellas, (Heraklion, Greece)
• 10/2018 – 12/18, Temporary Postdoctoral Research Associate in Science Program, Texas A&M University at Qatar -TAMUQ (Doha, Qatar)
• 12/14 – 06/18, Research & Development (R&D) Scientist in Nanoscribe GmbH (Karlsruhe, Germany)
• 12/13 – 11/14, Postdoctoral Researcher, Marie Curie Fellow & Laser Development Engineer at Amplitude Systèmes (Bordeaux, France)
• 12/12 – 11/13, Postdoctoral Research Assistant, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, University of St. Andrews (Scotland, UK)

Interests

• Novel ultrafast laser micro/nano processing techniques
• Optoelectronics Engineering, Laser methods for biomolecules patterning and materials processing
• Light – Matter Interaction, 3D Printing
• 4D Printing and Soft Robotics, 3D Bioprinting
• Laser beam shaping / Adaptive Optics
• Non-linear lithography / Laser-based nanofabrication

Awards/Prizes/Distinctions

• 2022 - Guest Editor of Special Issue in Sensors: Women’s Special Issue Series - LINK:https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sensors/special_issues/WoS
• 2022 - Continues as a Vice chair @Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA) Greek Chapter
• 2021 - Dr. Mourka was selected again to serve as an evaluator by the European Commission
• 2021 - Vice chair @Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA) Greek Chapter
• 2021 - Women in Optics Planner | SPIE | https://spie.org/about-spie/advocacy/women-in-optics/women-in-optics-planner/2021-wio-planner/areti-mourka
• 2019 - Modular photo-induced non-linear additive manufacturing series - ‘MINOAS’ project | SNF-ARCHERS-IESL | https://archers.iesl.forth.gr/areti-mourka/
• 2019 - Best poster presentation | 12th FORTH Retreat (14th – 16th October 2019)
• 2019 - A travel grant was awarded from Marie Curie Alumni Association - MCAA for Areti's participation in the Forces and Forms of Doctoral Education 2019 conference in Hannover, Germany (5th – 6th September 2019)
• 2019 - Dr. Mourka was selected to serve as an evaluator by the European Commission
• 2018 - Visiting lecturer at the Department of Electronic Engineering of the Technological Educational Institute of Crete, in the context of the national program ‘Acquisition of Academic teaching experience in Young Scientists 2018-2019’
• 2013 - SUPA (Scottish Universities Physics Alliance) Graduate School Management Committee has supported Areti as an Early Career Researcher
• 2013 - Selected as a chairperson of the session on Laser Beam shaping at the Photonics 4 Life Network, 2nd Fast-Dot Summer School ‘Photonics meets Biology’, Heraklion, Greece (30th September – 3rd October 2013)
• 2013 - Best student poster presentation award at the Photonics 4 Life Network, 2nd Fast-Dot Summer School ‘Photonics meets Biology’, Heraklion, Greece, 30th September – 3rd October 2013 (100€ prize funded by Nature Photonics journal)
• 2011 - Photonics 4 Life Network, 1st Fast-Dot Summer School ‘Photonics meets Biology’, Heraklion, Greece, 15th - 18th September 2011. A scholarship was awarded from the organization committee to cover the cost of Areti's participation.
• 2009-2013 PhD funding from UK EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council)
• 2007-2009 Microelectronics – Optoelectronics M. Sc. Graduate Program, EPEAEK, National Scholarship Foundation
• 2006-2007 Student Award, State Scholarships Foundation (IKY)

Other

Projects:

1. CARIOQA-PMP project - HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE | 2022 - 2026
2. AccelerACTION project - HORIZON-EIE-2021-SCALEUP | 2022 - 2025
3. smartHEALTH project - European Digital Innovation Haubs (DIGITAL-2021-EDIH-INITIAL-01) | 2022 - 2026
4. Alternative smart ocular implants with controlled ophthalmic pharmacokinetics 2018-2021 | https://eeeeof.iesl.forth.gr
5. Functional surface treatments using ultra-short pulse laser system - FemtoSurf | H2020-ICT | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/825512
6. High-Power Ultrafast LaSErs using Tapered Double-Clad Fibre - PULSE | H2020-ICT | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/824996
7. Modular photo-induced non-linear additive manufacturing series - MINOAS | SNF-ARCHERS-IESL 2019
8. PRINTOPTICS - Federal Ministry of Education and Research - BMBF (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung) 2017
9. PHOIBOS - Federal Ministry of Education and Research - BMBF (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung) 2015
10. Two Photon Absorbers for Biomedical Applications - TOPBIO | FP7-PEOPLE-2010-ITN | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/264362