Vasilis Kokkoris

Vasilis Kokkoris is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, specializing in Systems Ecology. His research focuses on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and their unique nuclear dynamics across multiple scales, from nuclear organization within fungal cells to ecosystem-level impacts on plant communities.

His research interests span:

• Mycology and fungal genetics
• Plant-fungal symbiosis mechanisms
• Nuclear organization in multinucleate fungal cells
• Mycorrhizal network formation and function
• Sustainable agricultural applications of AMF
• Climate change impacts on plant-fungal relationships

Dr. Kokkoris employs a multi-scale approach combining high-resolution molecular methods, advanced microscopy, imaging analysis, and field experiments to investigate how AMF affect plant productivity, survival, and composition. His work bridges fundamental biological research with practical applications for sustainable agriculture.

His research has been recognized with several prestigious awards:

• Early Career Award for Excellence in Mycorrhiza Research Publication (2022)
• ERC Starting Grant (2022)
• NIKON Small World Photography Award (2020)
• Olympus Image of the Year (2021)

Dr. Kokkoris teaches courses including Evolutionary Genetics and Microbial Symbiosis at VU Amsterdam, contributing to the education of future biologists and ecologists. His work has received significant attention from academic and public audiences, with mentions across numerous news outlets, social media platforms, and academic readership networks.