Chinou Ioanna

Professor Chinou Ioanna is a distinguished academic in Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry at the University of Athens. She specializes in phytochemistry, biotechnological production of secondary metabolites, and analytical techniques like NMR and HPLC. Her research focuses on antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities of natural products, particularly from Mediterranean plants, propolis, and bee-keeping products. She has held leadership roles including Chair of the HMPC Working Party at the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and serves as an external examiner for international institutions. Her work bridges traditional knowledge and modern regulatory frameworks, contributing to herbal medicinal product standards globally.

Educational Background: Holds a PhD in Pharmacognosy from the University of Athens (1988) and extensive research experience across European institutions, including the University of Nantes, France. She has trained as a research assistant in multiple disciplines (Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Organic Chemistry) from 1984–1992.

Research Contributions: Leads studies on phytochemical profiling, biotechnological production of bioactive compounds, and chemotaxonomic analysis. Her lab investigates plant-derived compounds for antimicrobial, anticancer, and antioxidant applications, with a focus on Mediterranean flora like Cretan oregano, pistachio species, and Alkanna tinctoria. Collaborative projects include optimizing extraction methods for naphthoquinones and evaluating traditional beverages.

Professional Roles: Has served as Vice Chair and Chair of the HMPC Working Party (EMA), shaping regulatory standards for herbal medicines. She also participates in European Pharmacopoeia committees and mentors international researchers through visiting professorships and external assessments.

Awards: Recognized with top prizes for her monograph on Cretan oregano (Origanum dictamnus) and outstanding poster presentations at global congresses. Her work has been cited over 1,125 times in peer-reviewed literature.

Lab & Teams: Directs research teams at the Division of Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural Products, collaborating internationally on projects involving Panama, Tanzania, Poland, and the Balkans. Her lab integrates cutting-edge analytical tools with traditional ethnobotanical insights.