Research Accomplishments
Research Accomplishments
My doctoral thesis, titled "Ringerweiterungreactionen an Aminolactamen" ("Ring enlargement reactions on aminolactams"), focused on the development of transamidation reactions (referred to as zip-reactions) for the synthesis of polyaminolactams and received significant attention. The publications from my thesis have been cited in classical organic chemistry books, such as "Advanced Organic Chemistry" by J. March, and opened a field in which numerous PhD theses were conducted at the Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich.
Following the defense of my PhD thesis, I was awarded the "Hans Schmid" postdoctoral research award and continued my scientific career in Environmental Science at the EAWAG (Swiss Federal Institute for Water Resources & Water Pollution Control) of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich). My postdoctoral activities at EAWAG and later at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, were crucial milestones in my research and academic career, demonstrating my ability to successfully transition between research fields and engage in interdisciplinary research. At both institutions, I investigated the fate of organic contaminants in the aquatic environment. The publications resulting from my postdoctoral research received recognition in the environmental engineering and scientific community, as evidenced by the number of citations and subsequent studies in leading laboratories worldwide. Notably, my work on the fate of nonylphenol ethoxylate nonionic surfactants, in collaboration with Professor Walter Giger, led to the ban of this compound class in Switzerland and Germany. This research also contributed to the recognition of Nonylphenol as an endocrine disruptor by state and international agencies (DIRECTIVE 2003/53/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 18 June 2003 amending for the 26th time Council Directive 76/769/EEC relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations (nonylphenol, nonylphenol ethoxylate and cement).
In September 1985, I began my academic career as a faculty member in the new Department of Chemistry at the University of Crete (UoC). To promote interdisciplinary research, I collaborated with both foreign institutions (ETH Zurich, Max Planck Institute, University of Stockholm, Lancaster University, University P. & M. Curie, Harvard University, Northeastern University, Utrecht University, CNR Bologna, Italy, CREAL and CSIC Spain) and Greek institutions (Dept. of Chemical Engineering - University of Patras, Dept. of Biology - University of Crete) through European research programs. The results of these collaborations, with my students and colleagues, were published in leading journals such as Science, Nature, Environmental Science and Technology, Journal of Geophysical Research, Microbial Ecology, Environmental Health Perspectives, Cell Plant, Lancet, and others.
The research activities of my scientific group at the University of Crete focus on Environmental Organic Chemistry, specifically studying the biogeochemical cycles of organic biogenic and anthropogenic compounds, the long-range transport of contaminants, the formation of organic aerosols, and the environmental exposure of humans to toxic organic chemicals. This research involves close collaboration with epidemiologists, modelers, and molecular geneticists. The main tasks of my group include assessing environmental exposure (air and drinking water) and studying the metabolites of toxic compounds in human fluids (urine, blood).
Publications from my group have garnered attention and recognition from the international scientific community, specialized scientific press, and national and international media.
Highlights of Research Outcomes at the University of Crete:
1. Metabolic Activity of Trees and Cloud Formation: Using a multidisciplinary approach, we demonstrated for the first time that biologically produced gases are converted to particles that may function as cloud condensation nuclei. This revealed a direct connection between the metabolic activity of trees and the propensity for the atmosphere to produce clouds. The results were published in leading scientific journals and received attention in specialized scientific and international press. (E.g., Nature, Environmental Science and Technology, Journal of Geophysical Research and Geophysical Research Letters), received numerous citations and were given particular attention in the specialized scientific press (Chemical and Engineering News 76, October 19, 1998) and the international press (New York Times-Sciences Supplement, November 3, 1998). In addition, a part of it has been designated as “Editor choice” (Geophysical Research Letters, Vol. 26, 1999).
2. Biogeochemical Cycles of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): We were the first to demonstrate, through field studies and fine analytical techniques, the destruction of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by hydroxyl radicals and the mechanism of formation of nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro-PAHs). This research was published in leading journals of the field (E.g. Environmental Science and Technology, Global Biogeochemical Cycles, Journal of Geophysical Research).
3. Emerging Contaminants: Our research on emerging contaminants, such as polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs) used as flame retardants, was presented in prominent scientific publications and media outlets (E.g., “Sciences News Site” of the American Chemical Society (http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/2008/mar/science); in Environ. Health Perspectives (http://www.ehponline.org/members/2008/116-5/focus.html). In addition, an article in “Le Figaro” (http://www.lefigaro.fr/sciences/2008/04/16/).
4. Microbial Quality of Aerosols during African Dust Storm: A study on the microbial quality of aerosols over the Eastern Mediterranean region during an African dust storm, using molecular-based methods, was a significant breakthrough. Bacterial communities associated with aerosol particles of six different size ranges were characterized following molecular culture-independent methods (analysis of 16S rRNA genes). Spore forming bacteria such as Firmicutes were found to be present at all aerosol particles and dominated the large particle sizes. Besides the dominance of Firmicutes in dust particles, at the respirable particles were detected phylogenetic neighbours to human pathogens. These pathogens have been linked to several diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, and bacteremia or suspected to induce pathologic reactions such as endocarditis. This study was an important breakthrough (see references in NIH: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2265062/) in the research, focusing on African dust as a microorganism carrier and it is the first report of size-distributed airborne bacteria during a Saharan storm using molecular-based methods. This research, funded by the "ARISTEIA" (EXCELLENCE) grant, resulted in publications in prestigious international journals.
Due to the recognition of our publications, my Ph.D. students have undertaken postdoctoral research in esteemed research institutions and are now tenured or on tenure track faculty members and researchers in foreign and Greek institutions.
Additionally, I have served the international scientific community as an editor in international peer-reviewed scientific journals, a reviewer for international and national research agencies and scientific journals, and as a member of international committees.
I am honored to have served the European Research Council (ERC) as a member of the Sciences of the Earth (2007-2015) and Synergy (2018-2019 and 2021-2022) Panels.
Ranked within 2% of top scientists worldwide based on research-impact (J.P.A. Ioannidis, 4/10/23)