Helen D. Skaltsa

Professor Helen D. Skaltsa is a faculty member in the Section of Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural Products at the Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacognosy (1985) and a Pharmacy degree (1981), both from NKUA. Her research focuses on phytochemical analysis of Greek/Mediterranean flora, structure-activity relationships of bioactive compounds, essential oil characterization, and ethnopharmacological studies of historical medical manuscripts.

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s in Pharmacy (1981, NKUA)
  • Ph.D. in Pharmacognosy (1985, NKUA)
• Teaching: Undergraduate courses in Pharmacognosy, Pharmaceutical Legislation, and graduate programs on Natural Products in Cosmetics and Regulatory Compliance.

Her research emphasizes isolation and pharmacological evaluation of plant-derived compounds, particularly sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, and iridoids. Key areas include chemotaxonomy, antioxidant activities, and historical medicinal plant usage documented in Byzantine manuscripts. Over 40 peer-reviewed publications since 2017 highlight her work on species like Sideritis, Anthemis, Hypericum, and Cedrus.

Collaborations with institutions in Cyprus, Serbia, Algeria, and Germany underscore her international research network. Active in professional development initiatives for pharmacists through CPD programs.