Can you share a little about yourself and your research?

I am Associate Professor of Medical Biopathology-Microbiology at the School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and Head of the National Reference Centre for Arboviruses and Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses in Greece. I have a vast working experience in various hospitals and in the private sector in Biopathology and Medical Microbiology in Greece. My current research focuses on the diagnostics, pathogenesis, and molecular epidemiology of emerging viral infections, with a particular emphasis on enteroviruses, CNS viruses, respiratory viruses and arthropod-borne diseases carried by mosquitoes, ticks, and sandflies.

Hoe does your research fit into the bigger picture of Durable?

The emergence and global spread of novel viruses, often triggering outbreaks in new regions, are driven by interconnected environmental changes, climate shifts, and viral genomic mutations. Given the lack of specific treatments for many viral diseases, rapid and accurate pathogen identification is essential for a timely public health response. Consequently, my research directly aligns with the mission of Durable to accelerate the detection, analysis, and containment of emerging infectious threats.

What do you expect to accomplish in the upcoming years within your own institute and by being connected to Durable?

To investigate the dynamics of emerging and expanding viruses in Europe and to deepen the understanding of various facets of arboviral infections, focusing specifically on those expanding geographically and emerging within Europe, such as West Nile virus and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.