- Panagiotis Siozos (PhD in the field of interaction of strong laser pulses with molecules from Physics Department, University of Ioannina, Greece). He has research experience for over ten years in various research fields related to laser-physics and he is involved in a number of research projects having a significant number of publications and participation in conferences. Currently he is working at IESL-FORTH as research assistant. His research interests include the development and optimization of mobile instrumentation on laser and optical spectroscopic methods (i.e. LIBS, Raman and Diffuse Reflectance) with emphasis to the development of analytical methodologies for their broad implementation in the study and investigation of Cultural Heritage materials (i.e. automatic detection of chemical elements and characterisation of LIBS spectra etc.).
Education
- 2007, PhD, Molecular Physics, Univ. of Ioannina, Greece
- 1999, BSc, Physics , Univ. of Ioannina, Greece
Career
- 10/2008-today , Post-doctoral researcher, IESL-FORTH
- 2/2007 – 9/2008 Working in the R&D department of NIKI Information Technologies & Digital Engineering Ltd
Interests
- Laser based analysis of cultural heritage materials. Methodology and instrumentation
- Development of portable spectroscopic instruments
- Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)
- Raman micro-spectroscopy
- Pulsed laser systems, Spectroscopy and mass spectrometry detection systems
- Development of data acquisition and data analysis software
Awards/Prizes/Distinctions
- Qualified to the final stage of the competition “Greece Innovates: 2nd Competition for Applied Research & Innovation”, 2013, presented the LMNT II portable laser device for rapid and direct identification of chemical elements in solid materials. http://ww
Petros Samartzis is currently a Principal Researcher at IESL-FORTH. He graduated from the Chemistry Department of the University of Crete in 1996 and received his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the same Department in 2003, under the supervision of Theo Kitsopoulos . He carried out post-doctoral research in the USA, initially at the University of California Santa Barbara (2003-2007) under the supervision of Alec Wodtke and then at the California Institute of Technology-Caltech (2007-2009) under the supervision of A. Zewail (Nobel in Chemistry 1999). He returned to Greece and has been working at IESL-FORTH since 2010.
PS studies Chemistry using photons, preferably laser photons. His research interests range from the dynamics of excited molecular states and the structural and energetic monitoring of chemical reactivity to the spectroscopic detection of target molecules in complex chemical mixtures. Among other things, he has studied small molecule photolysis mechanisms, photolytic production of spin-polarized atomic hydrogen, spectroscopic detection and characterization of high energy density molecules, cluster photolysis mechanisms, excitation/relaxation processes in organic crystals and carbon nanotubes, interactions at high-energy molecular excited states and spectroscopic fossil fuel adulteration detection. Over the years he has used a variety of techniques (optical & laser spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, Velocity Mapping/Slice Imaging, Ultrafast Electron Diffraction), mass spectrometry) and tools (lasers, high vacuum, custom TOF mass spectrometers, position-sensitive detectors, custom-built electron diffractometers, optical spectrometers) which he aims to further develop and expand.
Education
- 2003, PhD., Chemistry Department, University of Crete, Greece
- 1996, BSc., Chemistry Department, University of Crete, Greece
Career
- 2019-today, Principal Researcher, IESL-FORTH, Greece
- 2015-2019, Assistant Researcher, IESL-FORTH, Greece
- 2010-2015, Contracted Researcher, IESL-FORTH, Greece
- 2007-2009, Postdoctoral Scholar, Chemistry & Chem. Engineering, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), USA
- 2003-2007, Postdoc, Chemistry Dpt., University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), USA
Interests
- Laser Chemistry
- Dynamics of excited molecules and reaction intermediates
- Structural Dynamics in chemical reactions
- Detection of target molecules in chemical mixtures
- Development of new techniques and instruments
Dr. Anthi Ranella is an Assistant Researcher at IESL-FORTH and leads the Tissue Engineering –Regenerative Medicine and Immuno-engineering Lab (TERMIM Lab). She received her received PhD in 2005 from the Department of Biology of University of Crete.
Her fields of interests comprise mainly the study of the basic biological and biophysical processes at the molecular and cellular level, the understanding of the physicochemical mechanisms that take place at the interface between cells and biomaterials in micro / nano scale and the examination of the potential medical and/or clinical applications of optimized artificial tissue scaffolds.
In the interdisciplinary area of her interest three post-doctoral research scientists, three PhD, two MSc and two undergraduate students, originated from different scientific fields, are employed. Her research activities have led to the granting of two patents, she has published 39 peer reviewed papers with more than 1200 citations (Scopus h index: 18), 4 chapters in international scientific books, while she serves as a reviewer in many peer-review journals.
Paraskevi Pouli is a Senior Application Scientist at IESL-FORTH, Photonics for Heritage Science group, in charge of developing novel laser technologies for restoration of art and antiquities. She holds a degree in Physics from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece and a Ph.D. in Physics from Loughborough University, UK. Her PhD thesis, entitled “Laser cleaning studies on stonework and polychromed surfaces”, was supervised by prof. D.C. Emmony.
She joined IESL-FORTH in 2000, focusing her research on investigating laser ablation of CH materials and developing laser-cleaning methodologies for practical applications. In recent years, she has engaged in research that utilizes advanced spectroscopic, imaging, and photoacoustic techniques to assess, optimize and monitor the cleaning process. Additionally, she has worked on documentation and semantics for data recording, reuse, and integration. Lastly, she has explored machine-learning algorithms to facilitate decision-making in laser cleaning.
She is involved in a number of EU (Η2020-IPERION-HS, H2020-HERACLES, H2020-IPERION-CH, FP7-CHARISMA, FP5-PROMET, etc.) and nationally (CALLOS, KRIPIS-POLITEIA I and II, LASTOR, MOBILART, CRINNO-II etc.) funded research projects.
Her research has been published in over 80 publications (6 invited) in peer reviewed journals and conference proceedings, reflecting in about 1130 citations (WoS) while she has been presenting her work in major international conferences and workshops in the field. In 2009 she joined the International scientific committee of LACONA Conferences, while she has been also actively contributing in the organization of several other conferences.
Since 2012 she serves as technical manager of the “OPTO-CH” training activities initiated by IESL-FORTH. Over the past few years she is vigorously participating to EU and national initiatives on the development of E-RIHS and E-RIHS.gr Research Infrastructures focused in the field of Heritage Science.
In 2001 she undertook, on behalf of IESL-FORTH, the laser-cleaning projects on the Athens Acropolis. In this context the Acropolis Museum and IESL-FORTH have been awarded the 2012 Keck Award by the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (IIC) for their collaboration regarding the “Laser rejuvenation of Caryatids opens to the public at the Acropolis Museum: a link between ancient and modern Greece”.
Education
- 2000, PhD, Physics Department, Loughborough University, UK
- 1995, BSc, Physics Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests
- Investigation of laser ablation mechanisms & development of cleaning methodologies on a variety of Cultural Heritage challenges
- Understanding & prevention of side effects upon laser cleaning; i.e. yellowing of sensitive substrates & blackening of pigments.
- Optimization of the cleaning process using novel & prototype laser systems & methodologies
- Assessment, optimisation and monitoring of the laser cleaning intervention via advanced spectroscopic, imaging, and photoacoustic techniques
- Documentation and semantics for data recording, reuse, and integration
- Investigation of machine-learning algorithms to facilitate decision-making in laser cleaning
Awards/Prizes/Distinctions
- 2012 Keck award of IIC (https://www.iiconservation.org/keck-awards)
- 2022 Chinese Embassy in Greece "Outstanding Contribution Award" for the collaboration of IESL-FORTH with the Palace Museum, to develop a joint laboratory in Beijing (50th anniv. of the establishment of diplomatic relations China - Greece)
Dr. Vassilis Papadakis is an Assistant Professor at the University of West Attica. He has more than 20 years of experience in research and education in Greece and abroad. He has worked and lectured as a researcher at the Technical University of Delft, the Foundation for Research and Technology, the University of Crete, and the Hellenic Mediterranean University in topics related to diagnosis and imaging.
Vassilis M. Papadakis was a research associate at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas. He was the founder and head of the Bio NDT lab.
His main research interests are in applied physics and in particular in imaging and spectroscopic applications. He is interested in the characterization of bio-materials, ranging from DNA, proteins, live cells, and tissues.
He has strong experience in developing imaging spectroscopy instrumentation, including multi- and hyper-spectral imaging systems and applying a wide range of techniques, including reflection and absorption spectral imaging, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy, and cavity ring-down spectroscopy. He has worked on analyzing materials from medicine, biology, cultural heritage, aerospace, and others.
He has published more than 55 papers in international journals and more than 50 conference presentations.
Education
- Ph.D at Department of Biology, School of Science and Technology, University of Crete, Greece
- Ph.D at Department of Ophthalmology, Vardinoyanion Eye Institute of Crete, School of Medicine, University Crete, Greece
- B.Sc. at Depatment of Physics with specialization in Microelectronics, University of Crete, Greece
Career
- IMBB-FORTH, Post Doc (2014- today)
- IESL - FORTH, Post Doc (2002-2014)
Interests
- Spectral Imaging
- Biomedical Optics
- Computer Vision
- Biophotonics
- Image Proccessing
Meropi Mari is a postdoctoral researcher in the Institute of Electronic Structure and Lasers (IESL). She has got a B.Sc. degree in Physics (2005) and a M.Sc. degree in Optoelectronics (2008) from the Physics Department of the University of Crete. She received her PhD degree from the University of Edinburgh (2014). She has published 9 refereed scientific articles in international journals, 4 papers in conference proceedings. She has recently got her own funding by the Hellenic Foundation for Research & Innovation in order to set up a Two-Photon Microscope for in vivo applications on mice.
Education
- 2014, Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Edinburgh
- 2008, M.Sc. in Optoelectronics - Microelectronics, University of Crete
- 2005, B.Sc. in Physics, University of Crete
Interests
- non-linear imaging (Second and Third Harmonic Generation, Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering and Two Photon Excitation Fluorescence) at microscopic level applied on biologic specimens
- Thickness identification as well as in depth degradation assessment through THG and MPEF for Cultural Heritage studies
- Raman Spectroscopy on lipids & proteins
- Atomic Force Microscopy; lipid bilayers, interactions with proteins, changes of protein structure (annular & globular shape, fibril formation
- Tip-Enhanced Optical Microscopy optimization
Dr. Theodoros Manouras is currently a research associate in the Department of Materials Science and Technology of the University of Crete and a member of the Hybrid Nanostructures Group of the Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology. He received his B.Sc in Materials Science from the University of Patras (Greece) in 2005 and his M.Sc. and PhD in Polymer Science from the University of Athens (Greece) in 2007 and 2012, respectively. He was a PhD scholar in the National Center of Scientific Research “Demokritos” (Greece) working on the development of novel polymeric materials for lithographic applications and bioapplications.
Career
- 2012, PhD, Chemistry Department, University of Athens, Greece and Institute of Microelectronics, National Center of Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Greece
- 2007, M.Sc, Chemistry Department, University of Athens, Greece
- 2005, B.Sc, Department of Materials Science, University of Patras, Greece
Interests
- Design and synthesis of novel ‘smart’ polymers of various architectures (linear, star, bottlebrush, brushes, etc)
- Biocidal and antifouling materials
- Self-assembly of polymeric materials
- Polymer electrolytes
- Polymers for drug delivery
- Lithographic applications (EUV, laser, DUV, hot tip lithography etc)
- Organic photochemistry
Awards/Prizes/Distinctions
- 2018 - Research scholarship for 2 years through the ‘support of new scientist’ program from the Hellenic Republic Ministry of Education
- 2018 - Best poster award, 12th Hellenic Polymer Society International Conference, Ioannina
- 2015 - Best poster award, QualityNano Conference, Crete
- 2014 - Best poster award, 10th Hellenic Polymer Society Conference, Patras
- 2007 - PhD scholar in Institute of Microelectronics (IMEL) of National Center of Scientific Research "Demokritos" (Greece)
Dr Athanasia Kostopoulou received her B.Sc. degree in Physics (2004) and her M.Sc. degree (2006) on Materials Physics & Technology from the Physics Department at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Since 2012, when received her Ph.D. from the Chemistry Department at the University of Crete, she is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser at FORTH (Heraklion). Since 2018 and for the next three years, she is coordinator of the program for new researchers with title “Low-Temperature Growth of Perovskite Nanosystems for High-Performance Perovskite Solar Cells” financially supported by General Secretariat for Research and Technology (GSRT) and the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (HFRI). She is working on the chemical synthesis and elucidation of the microscopic physical mechanisms involving nanocrystal systems of different chemical phases and morphologies (magnetic and semiconducting).
Education
- 2012 Ph.D. in Chemistry – Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, Greece
- 2006 Master in “Materials Physics and Technology” – Physics Department – Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
- 2004 Bachelor in Physics – Physics Department – Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Career
- 10/2018 -Today, Coordinator of the program “Low-Temperature Growth of Perovskite Nanosystems for High-Performance Perovskite Solar Cells” financially supported by General Secretariat for Research and Technology (GSRT) and the Hellenic Foundation for Resea
- 9/2016 – 09/2018, Post-doc Fellow, Institute of Electronic Structure & Laser, FORTH, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- 1/2013 – 12/2014 Post-doc Fellow, Institute of Electronic Structure & Laser, FORTH, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- 10/2003 – 06/2004 Program, “ePhys: Towards and effective use of ICT for Open Learning in Teaching of Physics in Europe”, Physics Department, AUTH, Thessaloniki, Greece
- 09/2005 – 12/2005 Program, “ePhys: Towards and effective use of ICT for Open Learning in Teaching of Physics in Europe”, Physics Department, AUTH, Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests
- Synthesis of nanocrystals by using Glove-Box and Schlenk techniques for applications in biology (MRI, hyperthermia, theranostics), energy conversion (photovoltaics) and storage (batteries)
- Magnetic, metallic or semiconducting nanocrystals of one or more chemical phases in centrosymmetric or anisotropic structures
- Laser-induced synthesis of nanocrystals
- Films of nanoparticulate systems
- Structural analysis of the nanocrystals by using Powder X-Ray Diffraction and High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM)
- Optical characterization by using UV-Vis and PL Spectroscopy
- Magnetic characterization by using SQUID Magnetometry
- Elucidation of the microscopic physical mechanisms involving nanocrystal systems of different chemical phases and morphologies (magnetic and semiconducting)
Awards/Prizes/Distinctions
- 2018, Coordinator of the program for young researchers with title “Low-Temperature Growth of Perovskite Nanosystems for High-Performance Perovskite Solar Cells” financially supported by General Secretariat for Research and Technology (GSRT) and the Hellen
- 2016, Team leader that excelled in the 10 best in the category for Applied Research in the 3rd Competition "Greece innovates!" Organized by Eurobank and SEV
- 2016 - 2017 FELLOWSHIP OF EXCELLENCE FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDIES IN GREECE- SIEMENS PROGRAM
- 2015, Best poster presentation: 20th International Conference on Magnetism, Barcelona
