Speakers

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  Els Hanappe Coordinator of the Fulbright Scholarship Program for Greek citizens,
  

  Els Hanappe

  Coordinator of the Fulbright Scholarship Program for Greek citizens,

  Els Hanappe is the Coordinator of the Fulbright Scholarship Program for Greek citizens, administering awards for study, academic research and/or lecturing, and professional development across all disciplines at U.S. educational, cultural, and research institutions. The programs support Greek faculty, researchers, arts professionals, Ph.D. candidates, graduate students, and educators. She also acts as an EducationUSA Advisor, providing guidance on study in the United States and information on the U.S. higher education landscape.

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  Alexandros Triantafyllidis Professor of Animal Population Genetics, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
  

  Alexandros Triantafyllidis

  Professor of Animal Population Genetics, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

  Biologist with PhD studies on “Population genetics of animal organisms”. Academic member of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece since 2003 and vice deputy chair of the School of Biology since 2025. He has published >100 scientific papers in international peer-reviewed journals (H-index =26). He has followed sabbatical studies on bioinformatics in Katholieke Universitet Leuven (2010) and University of Oxford (2019-2020). He has collaborated with Greek and European researchers in National and EU projects on food traceability and biodiversity conservation of Greek animal species using genetic and genomic tools. He has been a member of School of Biology and Aristotle University Committees on Programmes of Studies, Evaluation, Accreditation, Erasmus, ECTS and international mobility and affairs. Since 2019, he represents an interdisciplinary team of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in the program (H2020-MSCA) INSPIREUROPE-“Initiative To Support, Promote, And Integrate Researchers@Risk In Europe” and since 2020, he is the Chair of the network of Greek Universities supporting threatened Academics and Researchers. Also, by the decision of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Senate 3158/19-3-2025, he is Institutionally Responsible for the acquisition of the “Human Resources Strategy for Researchers” (HRS4R) logo by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

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  Anastasia Tzima Graduate of the School of English Language and Literature at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
  

  Anastasia Tzima

  Graduate of the School of English Language and Literature at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

  Anastasia Tzima is a graduate of the School of English Language and Literature at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and is currently pursuing a postgraduate degree in the field of Education and Digital Media. She has gained international experience through the Erasmus program in the Netherlands, where she developed intercultural skills and independence. She serves as Vice President of the Erasmus Student Network (ESN AUTH), playing an active role in human resources management and the organization of initiatives.

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  Aikaterini Myrto Koliousi Mechanical Engineering graduate from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
  

  Aikaterini Myrto Koliousi

  Mechanical Engineering graduate from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

  Aikaterini Myrto Koliousi is a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, ranked at the top of her cohort, with a focus on computational mechanics and design. Her academic work centers on finite element analysis, biomechanics, and data-driven engineering. Her diploma thesis, supported by BETA CAE Systems, explored the biomechanical behavior of the human temporomandibular joint. Her work has led to a peer-reviewed publication in the IEEE 2025 International Conference on Bioinformatics and Bioengineering (BIBE).
  An element of her academic development has been her participation in the Erasmus+ Program, through which she studied at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) as part of the EPICUR (European University alliance) initiative. This experience allowed her to engage in a research-oriented program on digital entrepreneurship in global health, strengthening her interdisciplinary thinking, international collaboration skills, and adaptability in diverse academic environments. In addition, she broadened her academic perspective through an exchange at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), focusing on biomechanics for impact and crash safety.
  She is currently active in iGEM Thessaloniki, where she leads the dry-lab workstream, running computational analysis and contributing to interdisciplinary collaboration and outreach. She has also served as a reviewer for the 25th IEEE 2025 international conference BIBE.
  Her technical skill set includes programming in Python and MATLAB and the use of engineering tools such as Abaqus, ANSA, ANSYS, and SolidWorks, complemented by hands-on experience in manufacturing and materials testing.

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  Ilias Tsitsios EMBRAER 135/145 Captain, Flight Instructor and Test Pilot
  

  Ilias Tsitsios

  EMBRAER 135/145 Captain, Flight Instructor and Test Pilot

  Ilias Tsitsios is an EMBRAER 135/145 Captain, Flight Instructor and Test Pilot with 5 years of experience in NATO, where he was allocated the tasks of Air Liaison Element and Air Operations Subject Matter Expert. He possesses a MSc in “Human Factors in Aviation” from Coventry University/UK and a LLM in “Legal Theory & Interdisciplinary Legal Studies” from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH). Currently, he is a PhD candidate in Space Law in AUTH and at the same time an undergraduate with full scholarship in European Law & Governance School’s “LLB in EU Law”, a Program offered by the European Public Law Organisation.

  Ilias Tsitsios under his capacity as a University Teaching Assistant he lectured Space and Space law in AUTH’s Postgraduate Program “Information & Communication Technologies: Law & Practice” from 2024 until 2025 and since 2024 until now he lectures the same courses in the contest of AUTH – Hellenic Supreme Joint War College Postgraduate Program “Strategic Studies”. Since 2024 he is accredited as a European Security & Defence College (ESDC) Doctoral School on Common Security & Defence Policy (CSDP) PhD Fellow. He has attended the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Executive course in Space Law & Regulations, a Specialisation course in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Patras/Greece and several other courses related to General International Law, Space Law, Cybersecurity and New Technologies. Finally, he has also lectured during several conferences while last year he was awarded a special Prize from European Space Agency for the proposal submitted by the team he lead and was related to the legal framework of suborbital flights, in the context of the Student Aerospace Challenge 2025 international contest.

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  Antonia Demopoulos Medical student
  

  Antonia Demopoulos

  Medical student
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  Marcelo Rios International Mobility Project Officer - EXPLORE Programme
  

  Marcelo Rios

  International Mobility Project Officer - EXPLORE Programme

  Project Officer for the EXPLORE International Mobility Programme at the University of Montpellier (FR), a programme that funds international mobility for staff and doctoral candidates to foster academic cooperation and develop new international projects. Four years of experience in international mobility. Responsible for coordinating incoming and outgoing mobilities, liaising with international partners, and contributing to project evaluation processes. Previously worked as a Spanish teacher.

  Holds a Master’s degree in Applied Foreign Languages (LEA) specialized in international projects from the University of Montpellier Paul-Valéry.

  Skilled in project management and intercultural communication.
  Fluent in Spanish, French, and English, with intermediate level in Italian and Portuguese.

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  Rebecca Arnaout Student
  

  Rebecca Arnaout

  Student

  I am a motivated and responsible individual with a strong
  academic and creative background in cinema, television, and media production. I am currently
  pursuing my studies in Cinema and Television at USEK in Kaslik and at Aristotle University in
  Thessaloniki, where I continue to develop both my technical and artistic skills in an international
  environment. I completed my baccalaureate as a literature student at Lycée Officiel Ajaltoun,
  which helped me build strong communication skills and a deep appreciation for storytelling.
  Alongside my studies, I have gained practical experience in the media and performance fields.
  Since 2022, I have been part of Mini Studio, where I have taken on multiple roles including
  dancer, performer, social media editor, assistant manager, and event coordinator. These
  experiences have allowed me to develop versatility and balance both creative and organizational
  responsibilities. More recently, I began working with Trifid Media as a video editor for an
  influencer, where I continue to strengthen my skills in digital content creation and editing. I am
  fully trilingual in Arabic, English, and French, which allows me to communicate effectively in
  diverse and multicultural environments. I am also proficient in several software tools including
  Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Avid, which support my work in
  media production and video editing. Beyond my academic and professional experience, I am
  deeply passionate about the arts, especially dance, photography, acting, and modeling. These
  interests play a significant role in shaping my creative vision and inspire me to tell compelling
  stories through visual media. I have also had the opportunity to perform at international events
  such as Expo Doha 2024 and the Swiss School Theatre in Dubai, and I participated in World
  Youth Day 2023 in Portugal. These experiences have allowed me to engage with different
  cultures and perform on international stages, further strengthening my confidence and
  adaptability. Overall, I aim to combine creativity, technical skills, and a collaborative mindset in
  everything I do. I am committed to continuous growth and strive to contribute positively to any
  team I am part of, bringing enthusiasm, dedication, and a strong passion for storytelling.