Amalia Foka is an Assistant Professor in Computer Science Applications for the Arts at the Department of Fine Arts & Art Sciences , School of Fine Arts , University of Ioannina , Greece. She has held academic positions at the University of Patras (2005-2013), University of Ioannina (2005-2008), and Computer Technology Institute & Press "Diophantus" (2014-2015). Her research bridges Artificial Intelligence with Digital Art , focusing on Generative AI , Social Media Mining , and Human-Computer Interaction within artistic contexts. Education: BEng in Computer Systems Engineering (1998) from the University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology (UMIST) , UK MSc in Advanced Control (1999) from UMIST PhD in Robotics (2005) from the Department of Computer Science , University of Crete Her artistic research includes projects like Bushwalking (StyleGAN2 landscape generation), Breaking the Silence (NLP analysis of taboo topics), and The Invisible Structures of the Artworld (social media-driven network visualization). She leads the Multimedia Lab at the University of Ioannina, focusing on AI in Creative Processes and Digital Interaction methodologies.
George Vasilakopoulos is a Professor in the Department of Digital Systems at the University of Piraeus , where he also serves as Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Personnel. By law, he is President of the Quality Assurance Unit (MODIP) and the Employment and Career Structure (DASTA) of the university, overseeing the development of modern information systems. He earned his PhD from the University of London and has held leadership roles including Department President, Director of Postgraduate Programs, and Scientific Director of the Digital Health Services Laboratory. PhD: University of London Current Roles: Vice-Chancellor, Department of Digital Systems Professor Labs: Digital Health Services Laboratory His research focuses on Health Informatics , Cloud Computing , and Medical Data Security , with key contributions to: Emergency healthcare process automation Privacy-preserving personal health record systems Context-aware authorization models Cloud-based medical service frameworks Machine learning in clinical data analysis Interoperable health information systems The trends in his 15 most recent articles (2010-2015) reveal a consistent emphasis on integrating cloud infrastructure , semantic technologies , and mobile platforms to enhance emergency care, chronic disease management, and patient data security. His work bridges biomedical engineering , software architecture , and public health policy . He has held advisory roles for the Minister of Health on IT issues, served on hospital boards, and contributed to national committees for healthcare technology standards. His professional activities include project evaluation for Greek and European research programs and authoring three books on health informatics.
Maria Virvou serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Informatics at the University of Piraeus, where she also directs the Graduate Program in Informatics and leads the Research Laboratory 'Software Technology'. She holds significant institutional leadership roles including membership in the University Senate and has chaired the Department of Informatics for multiple terms. As Editor-in-Chief of Springer book series 'Learning and Analytics in Intelligent Systems' and 'Artificial Intelligence-Enhanced Software and Systems Engineering', she maintains substantial academic influence across international scholarly platforms. Dr. Virvou earned her PhD in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence from the University of Sussex with a scholarship from the State Scholarships Foundation, a Master of Science in Computer Science from University College London, and her undergraduate degree from the Department of Mathematics at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Her educational background in both mathematics and computer science has provided a strong foundation for her interdisciplinary research approach. Professor Virvou's research spans Software Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Educational Software and Games, User Modeling, and Human-Computer Interaction. She has pioneered work in personalized interactive software systems, applying fuzzy logic and machine learning techniques to create adaptive educational environments. Her recent work demonstrates a strategic expansion into AI applications for healthcare, with significant contributions to medical diagnostics using large language models and multimodal AI systems. She has also made notable advances in smart tourism applications through personalization techniques. With over 400 publications to her name, Professor Virvou's scholarly output shows a clear progression from foundational work in user modeling toward increasingly sophisticated AI applications across multiple domains. Her publication trends reveal a strategic focus on explainable AI, multimodal systems, and practical implementations that bridge theoretical advances with real-world applications, particularly in healthcare and education sectors. Ranked #1 worldwide in 'User Modelling' publications (147,450 total publications) according to Scopus Ranked #1 worldwide in 'Educational Software' publications according to both Scopus and Microsoft Academic Search Recognized among the top 2% of most influential Artificial Intelligence scientists worldwide by Stanford University General Co-Chair at the 14th IISA Conference 2023 Invited Keynote Speaker at the 35th IEEE International Conference on Software Engineering Education and Training (CSEE&T 2023) As Director of the Research Laboratory 'Software Technology', Professor Virvou has built a robust research team focused on AI applications across multiple domains. She co-founded and co-chairs the IEEE Intelligent Information Systems and Applications international conference series, creating a significant platform for scholarly exchange. Her leadership extends to editorial roles with major academic publishers and active participation in international research collaborations that have secured substantial funding for innovative projects in AI and software engineering.
Professor Gregoris Mentzas is a faculty member at the National Technical University of Athens, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, where he directs the Division of Industrial Electric Devices and Decision Systems. His research focuses on AI-enabled decision systems, knowledge management, and semantic technologies applied to digital enterprises and e-government. With over 350 publications, he ranks among the top 2% most cited scientists globally. Research Interests: Artificial intelligence for decision augmentation, big data analytics in personalized health and smart mobility, semantic web technologies, and industrial internet of things. Current projects investigate trustworthy AI frameworks and hybrid intelligence systems for Industry 5.0. Teaching: Leads courses in Digital Enterprise Management, Strategic Information Systems, and Project Management at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, incorporating industry case studies and experiential learning approaches. Awards & Leadership: Top 2% Highly Cited Scientist (PLOS Biology 2021) 5 Best Paper Awards in international conferences Director of Information Management Unit (1997-present) Board Member of Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (2006-2009) Projects & Funding: Secured over €18 million in research grants through 60+ European projects with industry partners including SAP, IBM, and Siemens. Research outcomes led to three technology spin-offs.
Stavrakakis Ioannis is a Professor at the Department of Informatics and Telecommunications, School of Science, University of Athens, where he has served since 2002. He previously held academic positions at Northeastern University (1994-1999) and University of Vermont (1988-1994). Ph.D., Electrical Engineering (1988), University of Virginia Diploma, Electrical Engineering (1983), Aristotle University of Thessaloniki His research focuses on network resource allocation algorithms , cooperative content dissemination , mobile ad hoc networks , and privacy-aware protocols . He leads the Advanced Networking Research (ANR) Group. Recent publications highlight trends in AI-driven network optimization , edge computing for VR , drone-assisted sensor networks , and privacy in vehicular systems . Key themes include game theory applications, energy-efficient protocols, and distributed learning frameworks. Contact: ioannis@di.uoa.gr
Aggelos Bletsas is a Professor at the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Technical University of Crete. He holds a PhD from MIT (2005) and has expertise in wireless communication, backscatter networks, and RFID systems. His research focuses on scalable wireless networks, ultra-low-cost sensor technologies, and signal processing. Education: PhD, MIT Media Lab (2005) MSc, MIT Media Lab (2001) Diploma in Electrical & Computer Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (1998) Research Interests: His work spans wireless transmission techniques, backscatter sensor networks, and RFID systems. Key areas include: Ultra-low-cost sensor deployment RFID localization and multi-static systems Energy-efficient hardware implementations Probabilistic inference in distributed networks Awards: IEEE Marconi Prize Paper Award (2008) Technical University of Crete Research Excellence Award (2012-2013) Multiple best paper awards at RFID-TA, ISWCS, and SENSORS Academic Contributions: He advises students who have won IEEE best thesis awards and leads projects funded by ERC grants. His laboratory focuses on practical implementations of wireless sensor networks and backscatter systems. Labs & Affiliations: Director of the Telecommunications Laboratory and affiliated with the Telecommunication Systems Institute (TSI).
Georgios Lappas is a Professor of Information Technology with emphases on Social and Political Informatics at the Department of Communication and Digital Media, University of Western Macedonia. He serves as Head of the Department, Director of the Digital Media and Strategic Communication Laboratory, and Vice-Director of the MSc Programs "Public Discourse and Digital Media" and "Digital Games and Multimedia Development". He is also a member of the Regional Council for Research and Innovation of the Region of Western Macedonia. Professor Lappas holds a PhD in Computer Science and an MSc in Applied Artificial Intelligence. His academic career spans numerous research contributions and leadership roles within the university and research community. His primary research interests focus on Social Informatics, E-Government, E-Democracy, Online Politics, Human-Computer Interaction, Digital Marketing, Online Reputation Management, Web Mining, Opinion Mining, Artificial Intelligence, Web Intelligence, and Social Network Analysis. His work bridges computer science with social and political sciences, particularly examining how digital technologies impact governance, political communication, and social interactions. Professor Lappas has published extensively, with over 100 papers in international journals, conference proceedings, and book chapters. His recent work examines social media campaigns in political contexts, citizen engagement with digital government services, and the application of emerging technologies like augmented reality in various sectors. His publications appear in prestigious journals such as New Media and Society, Journal of Information Technology and Politics, Local Government Studies, and International Journal of Electronic Governance. He has served as Program Committee member in more than 130 international conferences and on editorial boards of journals including Journal of Information Technology and Politics, International Journal of Entertainment Technology and Management, and Journal of E-Government. Professor Lappas has chaired or co-chaired four international conferences, served on organizing committees for seven conferences, acted as publicity chair for two conferences, and chaired sessions at over 20 international conferences. Professor Lappas has participated in numerous national and EU-funded projects. Currently, he coordinates the "Wine Live Label Innovative Augmented Reality Applications in Wine Product Labeling" project under the "Research-Create-Innovate" program, and leads work package 5 of the "AGRO-TOUR" project focused on mixed reality applications for promoting mountain trails in Western Macedonia. He teaches courses including Human-Machine Communication, Digital Marketing and Online Entrepreneurship, Online Reputational Management, E-Government, E-Democracy and Political Campaigns on the Internet, Special Issues on Social Informatics, and Big Data and Web Intelligence.
Thomas Tscheulin is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of the Aegean, focusing on pollinator ecology, biodiversity conservation, and the impacts of environmental disturbances like climate change and habitat degradation. He teaches courses in Ecology, Biogeography, and Environmental Threats. University of Freiburg (Biology, Germany) PhD in Population Ecology, Imperial College London (UK) His research examines how agricultural practices, invasive species, and climate change affect pollinator communities (wild bees, Syrphidae) across local to regional scales. He has contributed to understanding pollination networks, fire ecology, and thermal tolerance in bees. Recent publications analyze olive fly dynamics, thermal stress responses, and habitat management through AI-driven monitoring. Collaborative projects include POL-AEGIS and LIFE 4 POLLINATORS. While no specific awards are documented, his work appears in journals like Science of the Total Environment and Nature Communications . He mentors PhD and MSc students in pollination studies and collaborates across Europe on biodiversity research.
Dimitrios D. Vergados is a Professor in the Department of Informatics at the University of Piraeus, holding the UNESCO Chair in 'Creative Cities in Motion: Urban Sustainable Mobility and Utilization of Cultural Resources.' As an IEEE Senior Member, he specializes in wireless networks, computer networks, and advanced digital technologies, with a focus on 5G, IoT, and smart systems. His research spans telecommunications systems , cloud computing , machine learning for industrial applications , and digital cultural heritage preservation . Recent work explores vehicular networks, drone communication in 5G architectures, and privacy challenges in smart cities. He has contributed to energy optimization, security frameworks, and digital twin implementations for sustainability. Key trends in his publications include the intersection of 5G security , IoT , and machine learning in industrial and healthcare contexts, alongside digital heritage modeling for cultural preservation. His work bridges theoretical and applied domains in telecommunications and smart technologies. Scientific Awards IEEE Senior Member Vergados has served as a committee member, technical program committee member, and reviewer for international conferences and journals. He previously chaired the UNESCO Chair and participated in national and international evaluations, including roles at the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission. His research emphasizes interdisciplinary applications of digital systems in mobility, healthcare, and cultural management.
Emmanouil Z. Psarakis is an Associate Professor at the Department of Computer Engineering & Informatics , University of Patras, Greece. Born in 1963, he has been affiliated with the university since 2005 and is a member of the Signal Processing and Communications Lab . His academic journey includes teaching courses such as Signals and Systems Theory , Digital Signal Processing , and Computer Vision and Graphics . PhD in Computer Engineering and Informatics, University of Patras (1991) Dr. Psarakis is renowned for his research in image processing , computer vision , and signal processing , with applications in biomedical imaging , seismology , and robotics . His work spans deep learning , filter design , and 3D reconstruction , reflecting a multidisciplinary approach. His 15 most recent publications (2020–2025) focus on sign language recognition , adversarial defense , 3D shape analysis , and medical imaging . These works integrate machine learning , stochastic modeling , and computer vision to address challenges in video summarization , image inpainting , and seismic signal analysis . Dr. Psarakis has supervised over 10 PhD students , including Fotini Fotopoulou (2016–2019) and Panagiotis Georgantopoulos (2020–2023). He has participated in EU-funded , Hellenic , and bilateral R&D projects related to biomedical signal processing , robot vision , and forest fire monitoring . He leads the Signal Processing and Communications Lab , which collaborates with institutions like the Computer Technology Institute and international universities. His contributions include filter design , image alignment , and stereopsis techniques , with a focus on practical implementations in telecommunications and medical diagnostics .
John Paparrizos is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at The Ohio State University's College of Engineering, where he directs The DATUM Lab (Data Analytics, Understanding, Mining, and Management Lab). He maintains an adjunct affiliation with the School of Informatics at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. His research spans databases, data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence , with focus areas including: Time-series analysis (clustering, anomaly detection) Scalable data mining for structured/unstructured data Adaptive algorithms for resource-constrained environments Foundational technologies for data-intensive applications His work addresses real-world challenges across relational, time-series, multimedia, text, graph, web, and IoT data domains. Notable recognition includes: 2025 ACM SIGMOD Test-of-Time Award for k-Shape time-series clustering 2023 IEEE TCDE Rising Star Award ACM SIGMOD Research Highlight Award NetApp Faculty Award His research has been featured in New York Times (front page), Washington Post , Forbes , and adopted by Fortune 500 companies (Exelon, Nokia) and the European Space Agency. He actively serves on program committees for premier conferences including ACM SIGMOD, VLDB, IEEE ICDE, ACM SIGKDD, and NeurIPS. His open-source tools have exceeded 100,000 downloads and are integrated into academic curricula at Brown, Columbia, Purdue, and University of Chicago.
Professor Kyriazis Dimosthenis holds a faculty position at the Department of Digital Systems, University of Piraeus. He earned his diploma in Electrical & Computer Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens (2001) and a cross-disciplinary MSc in Techno-Economic Systems (2004). His academic rank is Professor specializing in service-oriented architectures with a focus on quality of service and workflow management. He has led European projects like BigDataStack, CrowdHEALTH, and CYBELE, addressing challenges in cloud computing, edge computing, and AI-driven solutions for healthcare, finance, and industrial sectors. His research emphasizes resilient service-oriented systems, AI explainability, and human-centric digital transformation. Notable contributions include frameworks for dynamic resource allocation in hybrid cloud/edge environments, AI applications for maritime safety, and data governance solutions for cross-sector integration. He coordinates initiatives such as the Future Internet Architecture Board and Cloud QoS&SLAs, driving advancements in federated data marketplaces and sustainable computing practices. His recent work explores Large Language Model (LLM) applications in financial decision-making, conversational AI for MLOps, and neurosymbolic systems for defect detection. He also investigates XAI methodologies, including VirtualXAI, which leverages GPT-generated personas for explainability assessment. His projects often bridge technical innovation with societal impact, such as the iHELP platform for holistic health records and SmartCHANGE for behavioral change strategies in youth health. Key themes in his publications include bias mitigation in machine learning, dynamic deployment prediction in hybrid cloud settings, and energy-efficient data spaces for mobility. He has contributed to standards like the H2020-funded IRMOS and 5GTANGO, emphasizing interoperability and fault-tolerant architectures. His work frequently intersects with EU policy frameworks, particularly in data governance and ethical AI implementation.
Anargyros Tsadimas serves as a Teaching Associate and member of the Department of Informatics & Telematics at Harokopio University in Athens, Greece. He joined the university in 2004 as a research associate and currently holds a position in teaching laboratory staff. His academic background includes a BSc in Applied Informatics from the University of Macedonia (2002) and an MSc in Advanced Information Systems from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (2005). He earned his PhD in Information Systems from Harokopio University, focusing on model-based design of enterprise systems using SysML. His research interests span modeling and simulation of systems, distributed systems, enterprise information systems engineering, and cyber-physical systems. He has contributed over 25 publications in international conferences and journals, including work on SysML extensions for cost analysis, hybrid simulation platforms, and human-centric design of cyber-physical systems. Tsadimas has participated in EU and Greek government-funded R&D projects, with practical experience in startups as a Software Engineer, DevOps, and Technology Advisor. His recent research emphasizes integrating human factors into system design frameworks, exploring cloud pricing policies, and advancing simulation methodologies for complex systems. Notable contributions include developing declarative approaches for executable SysML models and applying systems engineering to transportation infrastructure challenges. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned in the provided materials. His professional engagement includes advising on systems design projects and collaborating on interdisciplinary initiatives combining technical and human-centric perspectives.
Georgia Dede is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Informatics and Telematics, School of Digital Technology, Harokopio University of Athens. Her expertise lies in evaluating systems and electronic services, with a focus on cybersecurity, telecommunications, and operations research. She holds a PhD from National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (2015), a Master’s in Management and Economics of Telecommunications Networks (2007), and an undergraduate degree in Informatics and Telematics (2005). Education: PhD: Decision Making Methods and Uncertainty Study (2015), National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Master’s: Management and Economics of Telecommunications Networks (2007), National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Bachelor’s: Informatics and Telematics (2005), National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Research Interests: Georgia’s research spans cybersecurity frameworks, pairwise comparison methodologies for decision-making, and economic modeling of telecommunications infrastructure. She explores topics like resilient IoT systems, AI applications in governance, and competitive dynamics in energy and telecom markets. Her work integrates technical and socio-economic perspectives to address challenges in network security, service evaluation, and policy design. Grants and Projects: Leading and participating in EU-funded programs under Horizon Europe and Digital Europe initiatives Prior roles as senior advisor/administrator at Netcompany Intrasoft and ENISA Labs/Teams: Her involvement in projects at Harokopio University and collaborations with institutions like the University of Patras emphasize applied research in digital technology and policy innovation.
Prof. Vana Kalogeraki is a Faculty Member at the Department of Informatics , Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB) , and serves as the Dean of the School of Information Sciences and Technology and Director of the Computer Systems and Communications Laboratory . She has held academic positions at the University of California, Riverside and was a Research Scientist at Hewlett-Packard Labs . PhD: University of California, Santa Barbara M.S. & B.S.: University of Crete, Greece Her research focuses on Distributed and Real-Time Systems , Big Data Systems , Cloud Computing , Human-Centered Systems , and Crowdsourcing . She has published over 200 papers at top journals (IEEE TPDS, ACM TOS, etc.) and conferences (RTSS, DSN, ICDCS, VLDB, MDM), including co-authoring the OMG CORBA Dynamic Scheduling Standard . Her 2023-2025 publications address AI pipelines in serverless environments, edge computing for trauma detection via eye-tracking, and fairness in resource scheduling. She has received prestigious awards including an ERC Starting Grant , Best Paper Awards (DEBS 2017, IPDPS 2009), a Best Poster Award (EuroSys 2024), and multiple UC Research Awards . Her research is funded by the European Union (ARISTEIA, THALIS), NSF, and industry partners like SUN and Nokia. Advising Legacy : Supervised 10 PhD graduates (now at Google, Amazon, IBM, Apple) and over 60 MS/PhD committees Labs & Teams : Leads the Computer Systems and Communications Laboratory at AUEB, focusing on mobile human-centered systems and urban data analytics
