MEMBERS
Alexandra Zamboulis
PostDoc, Project Manager
Dr Zamboulis is a Chemist with a PhD on organic synthesis. Her research focuses on biobased monomers, polymers and copolymers.
PhD: Hybrid silica for asymmetric organocatalysis, University of Montpellier
Zoi Terzopoulou
PostDoc, Project Manager
Dr Terzopoulou is a Chemist with a PhD on polymeric bionanocomposites. She works on biomaterials for tissue engineering, biobased polymers and nanocomposites. In 2020 she was awarded a postdoctoral scholarship from the National Scholarship Foundations of Greece to conduct research on polymers based on FDCA.
PhD: Synthesis and study of new bionanocomposite polymeric materials for tissue engineering applications, MSc: Development and study of poly (butylene succinate) composite materials with hemp fibers and shives, Undergraduate dissertation: Development and study of new poly (lactic acid) (PLA) nanocomposites with high mechanical properties for application in orthopedics
Panagiotis Klonos
Research associate
Dr Klonos is a Postdoctoral researcher in the Dielectric Materials Group of NTUA. Due to his expertise in Dielectric Relaxation Spectroscopy (DRS), Thermally Stimulated Depolarization Currents (TSDC), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), he works closely with Bikiaris Lab.
Research interests: studies of the dynamics and structure of the interfacial polymer in nanocomposites (or else rigid amorphous fraction, RAF), moreover, aiming at the understanding of structure-property relationships and the effects of different: preparation methods, thermal/crystallization treatment and water content of the materials.
Nina-Maria Ainali
PhD student, HFRI scholar
PhD title: Characterization and analysis of microplastics in aquatic environmental samples and study of their formation's process, Aim: Characterization and analysis of microplastics in aquatic environmental samples with the aid of various analytical techniques, such as spectroscopy, microscopy and thermal analysis, as well as the further research on their formation process after studying the disruption mechanism of polymeric chains. Work in collaboration with Asoc. Prof. D Lambropoulou.
MSc: Microencapsulation of insoluble active substances in chitosan modified with acrylic groups for optimization of release.
Undergraduate dissertation: Synthesis and study of poly(hexylene 2,5-furan dicarboxylate -co-isosorbide-2,5-furan dicarboxylate).
Evi Christodoulou
PhD student
Evi Christodoulou is working on the development of biodegradable, pH-sensitive zwitterionic polymers for the controlled and targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic agents.
MSc: Preparation and study of magnetic nanoparticles using new polymeric biomaterials for the targeted release of the anti-cancer drug Paclitaxel
Raphael Ioannidis
PhD student
PhD title: Novel biobased copolymers and nanocomposites derived from poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with enhanced flexibility and biodegradability. Work under the supervision of Asoc. Prof. Nikolaos Nikolaidis.
MSc: Synthesis and characterization of biobased homopolyesters and copolyesters derived from terephthalic acid, 2.5-furandicarboxylic acid and 1.3-propanediol, UOI.
Evangelia Balla
PhD student, HFRI scholar
PhD title: Synthesis and characterization of novel self-healing polymers with bioactive additives for biomedical applications
MSc : Preparation and Study of Nanocellulose Enhanced Poly (Vinyl Alcohol) Patches for Topical
Administration of Chloramphenicol
Undergraduate dissertation: Preparation and study of poly(ethylene vanillate)-poly(ethylene furanoate) copolymers
Renia Nakiou
PhD student
Mrs Nakiou holds a MSc degree on Organic chemistry and is currently a PhD candidate working on the synthesis and study of new glycerol polyesters with aliphatic dicarboxylic acids and MOFs as Targeted and Controlled Drug Release Systems
MSc: Synthetic studies towards new potential PARP-1 inhibitors
Katerina Papadopoulou
PhD student
PhD title: Synthesis and study of biobased aliphatic polyesters-Biochar composites
MSc : Synthesis and study of polymeric nanoparticles from natural polymers as Diphenhydramine carriers against asthma disease.
Christina Samiotaki
PhD student
Christina is working on the development of reversibly crosslinked PE.
MSc: Preparation of innovative polymeric patches with modified chitosan nanoparticles for transdermal drug delivery
Undergraduate dissertation: Use of biocompatible poly (lactic acid)/poly (ethylene adipate) blends for the preparation via electrospinning technique of patches for transdermal administration of antimicrobial drugs
Johan Stanley
PhD student
Johan Stanley holds a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from Pondicherry University and a master's degree in Polymer Science & Engineering from Anna University, India. His PhD thesis is funded by the Foodtranet project.
PhD title: Synthesis of smart biopolymer materials with nanostructured surfaces with antimicrobial, biocompatible, anti-adhesive properties.
At the moment, he is eager to study the synthesis of biopolymers as a part of the Foodtranet project. He will be focusing on developing new biopolymer packaging material with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties to enhance the antimicrobial and antifungal properties of the food packaging surface, leading to improved food maintenance/conservation and safety.
Eleftheria Xanthopoulou
PhD student
PhD title: Preparation and study of properties of homopolyesters and copolyesters of vanillic acid. Work under the supervision of Prof. George Papageorgiou, UOI.
MSc: Modification of chitosan with biobased acids for controlled release of insoluble drugs
Mirto Tara
MSc student
Undergraduate dissertation: Preparation of cosmetic creams using extractions from willow tree (salix alba) and black tea leaves and study of their properties