Financed Research Projects                                                                                               

    (apart from those exclusively funded by Greek authorities at the University of Athens)

• "Hydrobiological surveillance for a biotypological classification and management of inland waters of Greece.- The Aetolian-Akarnanian water basin, Central Western Greece", funded by the Commission of the European Communities [project leader].- Duration: 1984-1987.

• "Aerobic post-treatment of the anaerobic pre-treated liquid waters from olive oil mills by using a rotating disc reactor with longitudinal flow", funded by the European Communities [co-researcher].- Duration: 1984-1985.

• "Abwasserverwertung - Abwasserbehandlung von Lebensmittel Industrie', funded by the Volkswagen (VW-Stiftung) Foundation in cooperation with the ‘Institut für Ingenieurbiologie und Biotechnologie des Abwassers" [co-researcher].- Duration: 1984. 

• "Limnological Studies of the Aetoloakarnanian Lakes", funded by the Volswagen (VW Stiftung) Foundation [co-researcher in collaboration with the Max-Planck Institute of Limnology, Germany].- Duration: 1985-1988.

• "Hydrobiological surveillance of selected hydrobiotopes of Aetoloakarnania, Greece", funded by the European Communities Commission [project leader in collaboration with the Max-Planck Institute of Limnology, Germany and the University of Gent, Belgium].- Duration: 1988-1993.

• "Collection and electronic treatment of taxonomic data", funded by the GSRT of Greece [project leader, in collaboration with the Department of Cell Biology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the Genetics Laboratory of the Agricultural University of Athens].- Duration: 1990-1992. 

• "Floodplain lake management of the Lower Niger Delta in Nigeria - Ecology, stock assessment and improvement of exploitation", funded by the EEC [co-researcher in collaboration with the University of Gent (Belgium), Valencia (Spain) and Port Harcourt (Nigeria)].- Duration: 1990-1993.

• "Exchange of students - Research and teaching activities", Erasmus program [in collaboration with Postmouth and Wolverhampton Universities, U.K.].- Duration: 1990-1991 & 1993-1994.

• "Productivity in Antarctic coasts", project in collaboration with the Hydrobiological Institute of Trebon, Czech Republic, and the University of Moscau, Russia [member of the ‘Coordination Committee on European Arctic Ecological Research’].- Duration: 1993-1994.

• "Lake N. Plastira catchment area - A pilot case-study for sustainable development". DGXI /93/GR/A152GR/4509, Life project for Development [co-ordinator of the scientific team and responsible for the establishment of an hydrobiological station in situ].- Duration: 1993-1996.

• "Biochemical nutrients cycling in large river systems", funded by the EU (DG XII, Contract EV5V-CT94-0495) [co-researcher in collaboration with the University of Paris (P. & M. Curie, CNRS), Brussels, Exeter (UK) and Thessaloniki (project leader: Prof. De Marsily)].- Duration: 1994-1996.

• "Hydrothermal fluxes and biological production in the Aegean", funded by the EU (MAST-III Proposal, PL 950135) [co-researcher in collaboration with Universities and Research Centers of UK, i.e. University of Wales Bangor (coordinating), Italy (Oceanographic Station and Marine Environment Research Center, La Specia), Monaco (International Atomic Energy Authority, Marine Environmental Center), Germany (Universities of Kiel and Karlsruhe, Max Planck Institute for Marine Biology, Bremen), Denmark (National Environmental Research Institute, Silkeborg], KE 2711.- Duration: 1996-1998.

• "Educational Exhibition 'Attica Landscape and Environment", established as a permanent exhibition at the Botanical Museum of the Athens University, and funded by the Greek Ministry of Planning and Environment  for the years 1996-1999 but with further extension [scientific responsible and project leader].- [see the Exhibition Opening in the Photogallery].- Duration: 1996-1999. Link

• "Cryopreservation of microalgal species for aquaculture applications", funded by GGET Common Research and Technology Programs between Greece and China  [scientific collaborator].- Duration: 1998-1999.

• "Grant for the organization of the "16th International Diatom Symposium" held in Greece (Athens and the Aegean Islands, 25 August - 1 September 2000', funded by the European Commission, Research Directorate General, Contract Grant Agreement ICA-CT-2000-60028. Duration: 2000-2001.

• "Detoxification of factory and wastewater treatment plants for removal of heavy metals via biological filters made of algae", funded in the framework of an EPET II 1997 program [scientific responsible], KE 4466.- Duration: 1998-2001.

• "Recording of the historical herbarium specimens of the Botanic Museum of the Athens University", funded in the framework of the EPET II program ‘Database development and information about science and technology’ [scientific responsible], KE 4621.- Duration: 1998-2000. Link

• "Using of DAPI staining in combination with picture analysis as a tool for estimation of digestibility of algae by Artemia salina grown in aquaculture", funded by NATO by the Division of International Finance of the Ministry of National Economy for the invitation of Czech scientists [scientific responsible], KE 5197.- Duration: 1999-2000.

• "Using of microbiotest with algae in aquaculture applications", funded by NATO by the Division of International Finance of the Ministry of National Economy for the invitation of Czech scientists [scientific responsible].- Duration: 1999-2000.

• "The biomass of the brine shrimp Artemia as food with multipurpose use in aquaculture", funded in the framework of an EPET II program [scientific collaborator].- Duration: 1999-2000.

• "Microalgae as a source of bioactive metabolites in aquaculture and human health", funded in the framework of an EPET II program [co-researcher].- Duration: 1999-2000.

• "Determination of harmful microalgae in marine ecosystems", funded by Ikonysys Inc., USA [scientific responsible].- Duration: 2002.

• "Systematics and Ecology of microalgae", funded in the framework of ‘Herakleitos’ Programs [project leader].- Duration: 2002-2007.

• "The diatoms as bio-indicators in marine coastal ecosystems of Greece (Messolongi Lagoons) and Poland  (Szczecin Lagoon)", funded by Joint Research and Technology Programs between Greece and Poland’[co-researcher].- Duration: 2003-2005.'

• "The phytoplankton from lagoons of Epirus: Investigation for species with positive of negative impact on Greek coastal aquacultures", funded in the framework of  ‘Pythagoras’ II,\ Programs [project leader].- Duration: 2005-2007. 

• "Τaxonomy and ecology of microalgae with classical methodology and molecular approach – The genus Prorocentrum", funded by the GSRT of Greece [project leader].- Duration: 2006-2007.

• "Production of biodiesel in selected Mediterranean countries, MED-ALGAE", a three-year EU financed project with Reference Number: I-B/2.2/099 (ENPI CBCMED, European Neighborhood Policy and of its financing Instrument, Cross-Border Cooperation ‘Mediterranean Sea Basin Program'), with participating countries: Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Malta, Egypt, Lebanon [scientific responsible, KE 11477].- Duration: 2012-2015. **This project  was chosen among other nominees from almost 200 very qualified applications as National Winner of Lebanon for the Energy Globe Award.    Link

• "The relative role of niche and neutral mechanisms in controlling phytoplankton genetic and morphological diversity - Ecogene", a 26-month project funded in the framework of ‘Aristeia II’ programs (in collaboration with the Aegean University (coordinator), and the Universities of Thessalia and Ioannina) [co-researcher)].- Duration: 2012-2015.

• "Trans-Regional Environmental Awareness for Sustainable Usages of Water Resourses/ TREASURE-Water". Current (2015-2018) Erasmus+ Project (No. 561775-EPP-1-2015-1-DE-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP) with participating countries: Germany (the Freiburg University, project leaders), Russia (Tyumen University and other Universities and Institutions of Russia and Kazakstan, the University of Thessaloniki, United Kingdom, The Netherlands [scientific responsible for the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens], KE 13517.- Duration: 2015-2018.   Link  Link  Link

• "Phyco-cosmetic: Development of cosmetic ingredient from local marine phytoplankton isolates", [Scientific responsible for the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, NKUA], acronym: Phycosmetic-GR, Code : T6YBP-00377, KE 16013.  Link

• "Super PUFA: Evaluation of local species of marine phytoplankton for the production of essential fatty acids for future exploitation in dietary supplements", [Scientific responsible for the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, NKUA], Acronym: Super-Pufa, Code: Τ6ΥΒΠ-00500, KE 16013. Link  

•  "ΕΠΑΛΘ: Culturing microalga Dunaliella salina towards the production of nanomaterials for innovative applications in technology and biomedicine", [Scientific responsible for the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, NKUA], Acronym: Epal, European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, Union Priority 2, Measure 3.2.1, KE 16017. Link

• "Intergrated emerging approaches for joint protection and restoration of Natural Lakes in the spirit of European life heritage support", [Scientific responsible for National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, NKUA],  Acronym: ProCleanLakes, HORIZON-IA (Innovative Actions), Topic-MISS-2023-OCEAN-01-04, Coordinator: BOKU University of Vienna, 2024-2028.

Organization of meetings 

• "Plant, Animal and Microbial Adaptations to Terrestrial Environment", Chalkidiki, September 26 - October 2, 1982 [member of the Organizing Committee].

• "2nd Symposium of the Hellenic Botanical Society", Athens, May 1982 [member of the Organizing Committee].

• "Research for Freshwater Ecosystems", Symposium of the European Community members in the framework of the EEC Program for Environmental Developmental Research, Agrinion, February 6-9, 1986 [main organizer].

• "European Workshop on Bioclimatic and Land Use Changes", mini-workshop of members of the  Mediterranean countries, Athens, May 8-11, 1986 [main organizer].

• "10th International Symposium on Taxonomy of Cyanophytes", Athens, September 1-14, 1986 [vice-president of the Organizing Committee].

• "Interrelated Bioclimatic and Land Use Changes"  European Workshop, Noordwijkerhout, The Netherlands, October 1987 [co-editor of volume F    (Impact Analysis of Climatic Change in the Mediterranean Region) of the Proceedings].

• "III Balkan Congress on Electron Microscopy", Athens, September 18-22, 1989 [member of the Organizing Committee].

• "12th International Diatom Symposium", Renesee (The Netherlands), August 30 - 5 September 1992 [convener, member of the Scientific Committee].

•  "Museums of the Athens University Conference",  Athens, May 20, 1994 [member of the Organizing Committee].

• "5th Scientific Congress of the Greek Botanical Society", Delphi, October 21-23, 1994 [member of the Organizing Committee].

• "Developing an Agenda for Research on Ecosystems", Electronic Conference, June 22-27, 1998  [convener of the session 'Μethodology: Renewing the scientific  paradigm’, co-chair with G. Sillence].

• "15th International Diatom Symposium", Perth (Australia), September 28 - 2 October, 1998 [convener, scientific committee].

• "16th International Diatom Symposium", Athens and the Aegean Islands, August 25 - September 1, 2000 [Chair].

• "Algae and Extreme Environment - Ecology and Physiology", Trebon (Czech Republic), September 11-16, 2000 [member of the International Scientific Committee].

• "7th International Phycological Congress", Thessaloniki, 2001 [member of the International Scientific Committee, convener of the session 'Alveolates:    Changing concepts and total evidence'].

• "14th International Conference on Harmful Algae", Hersonisssos, Crete, Nov. 1-5, 2010 [member of the Local Organizing Committee]. 

• "8th European Phycological Congress", Rhodes Island, September 4-9, 2011 [member of the Organizing Committee].

• "Algae Culture and Identification Techniques", Training workshop of the Project Med-algae (‘Production of biodiesel from algae in selected Mediterranean countries’), Athens, February 11-15, 2013 [main organizer].

• "16th International Nannoplankton Association Meeting", Athens, September 24-28, 2017  [Member of the Organizing Committee].

• "International Scientific & Practical Conference on the Biological Estimation of Water Quality", Trans-Regional Environmental Awareness for Sustainable Usage of Water Resources (Treasure-Water),  Erasmus+ Programmes of the European Union, "Antonis Tritsis" Municipality Cultural Center, Athens, 6-19 May 2018 [Convener].

• "International Scientific & Practical Conference", "Staff Development courses" for the participants of the Treasure-Water Project (see above),  Athens & Aegean Islands, 5-10 May 2019 [Convener].

Agreements for Academic Cooperation

between

the University of Athens (NKUA) - main manager Dr. Athena Economou-Amilli (Prof. Em.)

     and the following Universities Abroad

• Yugra State University (Khanty Mansiysk – Russia); collaboration with  the Unesco Chair  “Environmental dynamic and global climate changes” and the international research station (Mukhrino Field Station)

• Tomsk State University (TSU) - Federal State Autonomous Educational Establishment of Higher Education  (Tomsk – Russia)

• Tyumen University (UTMN) (Thymen – Russia)

• Altai State University  (Barnaul – Russia)

• L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University  (Astana /Nur Sultan  –  Kazakhstan)

The scientific cooperation focuses in taking initiatives to submit national and international research projects of mutual interest on solving specific regional hydrobiological topics, in supervising doctoral and post-doctoral research, providing desk space and infrastructure to perform various chemical and biological analyses needed, and in proceeding to common publications. Up to now joint activities of common interest related to teaching and phD programs were initiated.

These agreements were initiated in the framework of the Erasmus+ Project 561775-EPP-1-DE-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP entitled “Trans-Regional Environmental Awareness for Sustainable Usage of Water Resources (TREASURE-WATER)”, and the documentation was also forwarded to the Responsible ‘Department of European and International Relations’. In the framework of this project the member states (Russia, Kazakhstan, Germany, Great Britain, Greece and the Netherlands) are still collaborating to contribute to quality improvement of higher education and capacity building of institutions of higher education in Russian and Kazakhstan by strengthening the education partnership between universities and enterprises in the sphere of management of transboundary water resources, based on regionally-specific national and European standards.