Penelope Bebeli

Professor Penelope Bebeli holds the position of Professor of Plant Breeding and Biometry at the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA), affiliated with the Faculty of Crop Science's Department of Plant Breeding and Biometry. She specializes in crop genetic resources conservation, molecular diagnostics for cultivar identification, and drought tolerance mechanisms in crops like durum wheat, tomato, and Vicia faba. Her work emphasizes landrace preservation and low-input farming practices.

Prof. Bebeli's research focuses on evaluating genetic diversity through morphological and molecular markers, with notable contributions to understanding crop wild relatives' potential for climate resilience. She has coordinated national and EU-funded projects, published extensively, and received the Academy of Athens Award (2003) and Fulbright Scholarship.

Active in academic leadership, she served as Greek Scientific Society of Plant Breeding President (2008-2010). She organizes national workshops promoting landrace cultivation and has delivered talks across Greece. Her team investigates orphan crops like Lathyrus spp., combining agronomic research with socio-economic adoption strategies.