Meet the team
Ellinikos Georgikos Organismos - Dimitra
Ellinikos Georgikos Organismos - Dimitra members
Hi! My name is Vassilis Aschonitis (Agronomist - Soil and Water Resources Management) and I am Senior Researcher of ELGO-DIMITRA (SWRI). I am the coordinator of the VENUS project, and I am responsible for activities related to project management, control of quality management processes for all partners, as well as management of the pilot sites of ELGO-DIMITRA and soil health assessment.
Hi! My name is Georgios Arampatzis (Agronomist – Land reclamation & soil hydraulics) and I am Research Director at ELGO-DIMITRA (SWRI). In the context of VENUS project, I am responsible for activities related to project quality management processes, the establishment and control of telemetry sensors in the pilot sites, as well as in the dissemination of scientific outputs and networking activities.
Hi! My name is Katerina Grigoriadou (Agronomist – Plant breeding and genetic resources) and I am Senior Researcher of ELGO-DIMITRA (IPBGR). In the context of VENUS project, I am responsible for activities related to management of the three pilot sites of ELGO-DIMITRA, monitoring the biological cycle of NUS in the wild, collecting plant material from natural environments, NUS propagation and greenhouse cultivation, dissemination of scientific outputs and networking activities.
Hi! My name is Eleni Maloupa (Agronomist – Plant breeding and genetic resources) and I am former Research Director of ELGO DIMITRA (IPBGR). In the context of VENUS project, I am responsible for activities related to management of the three pilot sites of ELGO-DIMITRA, promotion and dissemination of project’s objectives and activities within local communities and professional networks, dissemination of scientific outputs and networking activities.
Hi! My name is Popi Kadoglidou (Agronomist – Horticulturist) and I am Researcher of ELGO DIMITRA (IPBGR). In the context of VENUS project, I am responsible for the experimental applications of NUS intercropping with common vegetables in greenhouse conditions and dissemination of scientific outputs.
Hi! My name is Vasilios Takavakoglou (Agronomist – Nature-based solutions and soil health) and I am Senior Researcher of ELGO-DIMITRA (SWRI). In the context of VENUS project, I am responsible for activities related to coordination & project quality management processes, organization of Living Labs, organization of communication-dissemination and multi-actor engagement activities.
Hi! My name is Panagiotis Kougias (Agronomist – Agricultural wastes’ management) and I am Senior Researcher of ELGO-DIMITRA (SWRI). In the context of VENUS project, I am responsible for activities related to NUS biomass evaluation for biofuels/energy production through biogas (methane) and bioethanol production at various conditions.
Hi! My name is Georgia Tanou (Agronomist – Plant Physiologist) and I am Senior Researcher of ELGO-DIMITRA (SWRI). In the context of VENUS project, I am responsible for activities related to the quality assessment of NUS edible products (tissues & fruits) through the analysis of their physical, chemical and organoleptic characteristics.
Hi! My name is Eirini Sarrou (Agronomist – Horticulturist) and I am Senior Researcher of ELGO-DIMITRA (IPBGR). In the context of VENUS project, I am responsible for activities related to the evaluation of quality characteristics of phytochemical extractants by the NUS species to be used in cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical applications.
Hi, I am Katerina Papanastasi (Agronomist – Plant breeding and genetic resources), I belong to the permanent scientific staff of ELGO-DIMITRA (IPBGR) and I work as the Ex-situ Conservation and Collection Manager for the Institute’s native Greek plant collection. In the context of VENUS project, I am responsible for activities related to the collection of wild plant material and overseeing its long-term conservation. Additionally, I am actively involved in the design and implementation of experiments related to NUS and contribute to the dissemination of project results.
Hi, I am Aggelos Zorzovilis (Computer science - multimedia), I belong to the permanent scientific staff of ELGO-DIMITRA (IPBGR) and I work as laboratory technician and IT manager. In the context of VENUS project, I am responsible for collecting visual documentation and developing communication & dissemination material of pilot sites, info days and project events.
Hi, I am Areti Mpountla (Chemist – Soil and water chemistry), I belong to the permanent scientific staff of ELGO-DIMITRA (SWRI) and I work as manager of the soil chemistry lab of SWRI. In the context of VENUS project, I am responsible for activities related to the coordination of soil/water analysis of the pilot sites.
Hi! My name is Maria Lida Christou (Agronomist – Agricultural wastes management) and I participate as research associate in the team of ELGO-DIMITRA (SWRI). In the context of VENUS project, I am responsible for activities related to coordination & project quality management processes, and evaluation of sustainable agricultural and bioresource applications for energy and other market sectors.
Hi! My name is Eleanna Pana (Geologist-Environmentalist) and I participate as research associate in the team of ELGO-DIMITRA (SWRI). In the context of VENUS project, I am responsible for activities related to coordination & project quality management processes, organization of Living Labs, organization of communication-dissemination and multi-actor engagement activities.
Hi! My name is Efi Patelou (Agronomist-Biotechnologist) and I participate as research associate in the team of ELGO-DIMITRA (IPBGR). In the context of VENUS project, I participate to the qualitative evaluation of plant extracts associated with applications in the food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical sectors.
Hi! My name is Aphrodite Theofilidou (Agronomist – Soil Scientist) and I participate as as research associate in the team of ELGO-DIMITRA (SWRI). In the context of VENUS project, I participate in the assessment of soil biological parameters and quality assessment of biomass for energy production applications.
Hi! My name is George Giannopoulos (Agronomist – Soil Scientist) and I participate as research associate in the team of ELGO-DIMITRA (SWRI). In the context of VENUS project, I participate in activities related to field data collection and laboratory analyses, contributing to the evaluation of soil parameters as well as to the processing and dissemination of the scientific results.
Hi! My name is Fotis Bilias (Agronomist – Soil Scientist) and I participate as research associate in the team of ELGO-DIMITRA (SWRI). In the context of VENUS project, I participate in activities related to field data collection and laboratory analyses, contributing to the evaluation of soil parameters as well as to the processing and dissemination of the scientific results.
Hi! My name is Konstantinos Koularmanis (Agronomist - Horticulturist) and I participate as research associate in the team of ELGO-DIMITRA (IPBGR). In the context of VENUS project, I participate in the management of experimental plots and data analysis, as well as to the processing and dissemination of the scientific results.
Hi! My name is Charalampia Charalampidou (Agronomist - Botanist) and I participate as research associate in the team of ELGO-DIMITRA (IPBGR). In the context of VENUS project, I am responsible for the identification of species belonging to the genus Salicornia, monitoring their biological cycle in their natural habitats, and collecting NUS of the Greek flora.
Hi! My name is Maria Androudi (Agronomist – Plant breeding and genetic resources) and I participate as research associate in the team of ELGO-DIMITRA (IPBGR). In the context of VENUS project, I am responsible for developing in vitro propagation protocols for the NUS studied in the framework of the project and dissemination of the scientific results.
Hi! My name is Maria Karageorgiadou (Agronomist – Horticulturist) and I participate as research associate in the team of ELGO-DIMITRA (SWRI). In the context of VENUS project, I participate in activities related to the evaluation of quality characteristics of phytochemical extractants by the NUS species to be used in cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical applications.
Hi! My name is Maria Rodovitou (Agronomist – Horticulturist) and I participate as research associate in the team of ELGO-DIMITRA (SWRI). In the context of VENUS project, I participate in activities related to the quality assessment of NUS edible products (tissues & fruits) through the analysis of their physical, chemical and organoleptic characteristics.
University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”
University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” members
Prof. Micòl Mastrocicco is currently an Associate professor in University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli". Her main research activities concern: (i) the characterization and monitoring of contaminated sites; (ii) water resources management and protection in the coastal plains, with a focus on salinization processes and water and nitrogen balance at basin scale.
Simona Castaldi, graduated with a PhD from the University of Edinburgh and served as a research fellow at the same university from 1993 to 1997, she is now a full professor of ecology at the University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”. Her work focuses on ecosystem services and sustainability, climate and global changes, sustainable processes in agriculture, and carbon and nitrogen footprints.
: Gianluigi Busico trained at the University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli where he currently held a position as assistant professor in applied geology. His main research topics include the assessment and estimation of intrinsic aquifer vulnerability, Geographic Information System (GIS), surface water modelling and soil erosion.
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche members
I'm Cristina Da Lio. I'm a researcher at CNR in the field of hydro-geomorphology of coastal transitional
environments. In the VENUS project, I'm in charge of Scalability-transferability activity of NUS production
systems.
I am Sandra Donnici, senior researcher at the Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources of the National
Research Council (CNR). In the Venus Project, I contribute in the building of geospatial databases relating to
abiotic soil parameters and climatic parameters.
I am Luigi, Research Director at Italy’s National Research Council (CNR) - Institute of Geosciences and Earth
Resources (IGG), with expertise in coastal environmental and applied geology. I lead VENUS WP5 on scaling
up and transferring NUS production systems across Mediterranean regions.
Consorzio di Bonifica Adige Euganeo
Consorzio di Bonifica Adige Euganeo members
Hello my name is Lorenzo Frison. I am a hydraulic engineer and I'm at head of the public works sector of CONSAE. I am project manager for the VENUS project.
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Hello my name is Andrea Artuso. I am a hydraulic engineer and I deal with various projects in the public works sector of CONSAE. I am the technical project assistant for the VENUS project.
Rinci SRL
Rinci members
Hi! My name is Luca Galeazzi. I’m one of the founders of Rinci Srl, a food technologist with a PhD, and I lead the company’s research and development. Within the VENUS project, I’m responsible for scientific coordination and innovation related to sea fennel and product applications.
Hello, I’m Francesco Velieri, co-founder and Production Director at Rinci Srl. I oversee all production processes and ensure the link between field cultivation and product transformation, with a special focus on plant management and quality standards.
Hi, I’m Claudia Gonnelli, Marketing and Sales Director at Rinci Srl. In the VENUS project, I’m in charge of communication, dissemination, and networking activities, helping to promote the project’s results within the agri-food sector.
Idener Research & Development AIE
Idener members
Hi! My name is Sofía. I studied Robotics Engineering at the University of Seville, and I am part of the biotechnology division of IDENER.AI. In the VENUS project, I manage IDENER's tasks within the project and also assist my colleagues in communication and platform development's tasks.
I'm Alejandra Hidalgo. I'm Communication and Dissemination Assistant at IDENER.AI. I'm a journalist specialized in Corporate and Science Communication. In the VENUS project, I'm in charge of communication work and activities.
Hello, I’m Pablo, a Software Developer at IDENER. Within the VENUS project, I’m responsible for the development of the project’s website and I also support my colleagues with the dissemination and communication activities.
Hassan II University of Casablanca - Faculty of Science and Technology
Hassan II University of Casablanca - Faculty of Science and Technology members
Hi! I am Dalila Loudyi, professor of water environmental engineering at Hassan II University of Casablanca-Faculty of Sciences and Techniques in Mohammedia, Morocco. I am the PI of Venus Project in Morocco. As such, I am in charge of the project management at the Moroccan side, including the implementation of the Moroccan pilot site and supervision of related research works.
Hi! I am Saïd Boughribil, Professor at the Faculty of Sciences and Techniques of Mohammedia, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Morocco. I am a specialist in soil microbiology and plant physiology. Within VENUS project, my role is to supervise and implement the experimental component at the pilot site established in Morocco.
Hi! I am Manal El Garouani. I hold a PhD in Geosciences and Geomatics, and I am currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Faculty of Sciences and Techniques of Mohammedia. My work focuses on processing and analyzing meteorological and agronomic data from the Sidi Rahal pilot site as part of the VENUS project.
Hi! My name is Widad Moussa. I am a PhD student at the Laboratory of Biotechnology, Agri-Food, Materials and Environment (LBAME) at Hassan II University of Casablanca-Faculty of Sciences and Techniques in Mohammedia, Morocco. Within the VENUS project, I contribute to research activities related to plant stress physiology and applied biotechnological approaches, and I assist my colleagues in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific reporting.
Hi! I’m Zaynab Bouhioui. I am a PhD student specializing in drought management at Laboratory of Process and environmental engineering at Faculty of Sciences and Techniques in Mohammedia . In the VENUS project, I am in charge of studying water stress impacts and drought management strategies and supporting sustainable management strategies.
National Water Research Center
National Water Research Center members
Prof. Sherif Mohamady is the President of the National Water Research Center (NWRC), Egypt. In the VENUS project, he provides overall scientific leadership and strategic guidance, ensuring the project’s outcomes support Egypt’s vision for sustainable water and agricultural development.
Hi! My name is Prof. Alaaeldin Abdin, General Supervisor of International & Research Projects at NWRC and Principal Investigator (PI) of the VENUS project. I oversee coordination between NWRC and European partners and ensure the project’s progress aligns with PRIMA’s objectives and national research priorities.
Dr. Islam Sabry Al Zayed is an Associate Professor and Director of the Technical Office of the NWRC President. He coordinates the PRIMA VENUS project, managing technical implementation, field activities, and communication across consortium partners.
Hi! My name is Prof. El-Sayed El-Bastamy, a Researcher at NWRC. In the VENUS project, I am responsible for implementing and following up field experiments at the Wadi El Natrun pilot site, including crop trials, sampling, data collection, and reporting.
Hi! My name is Dr. Heba Kamal, a Researcher at NWRC. In the VENUS project, I support on-site agricultural and irrigation experiments, soil and crop monitoring, data management, and reporting. I also contribute to dissemination activities, stakeholder engagement, and communication to enhance project visibility and outreach.