Speakers

Naso Economidou is a Chemist at the State General Laboratory of Cyprus, with over two decades of experience in food chemistry. She holds an MSc in Food Chemistry from the University of Cyprus and specializes in food composition, quality, nutritional value, and authenticity. Her work focuses on the chemical characterization of foods and the verification of authenticity and traceability using advanced analytical techniques. Ms. Economidou has actively contributed to national and international research projects and the development of analytical methods for official food controls. She is a member of the EFSA Food Consumption Network, supporting data harmonization across EU Member States. Her career reflects a deep commitment to scientific excellence and consumer protection through rigorous food quality assessment.

Dimitris Papamichael is a Clinical Dietitian and PhD candidate at the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition at the University of Nicosia, Cyprus. He holds degrees in Dietetics from the Higher Technological Institute of Crete and a Master’s in Clinical Nutrition from Harokopio University, Greece. Since 2015, he has practiced privately and collaborates with institutions including the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre, Herodoteion Rehabilitation Center, and the Diabetes Care Team of Dr. Panagiotis Koutsides. He also serves as a Practice Placement Educator at the University of Nicosia. Dimitris is Treasurer of the Cyprus Association of Dietitians and Nutritionists, and a member of cySPEN, ESPEN, and RECEN. His research focuses on the role of nutrition in cancer prevention, treatment, and recovery.

Nastasia Belc, General Director of The National R&D Institute for Food Bioresources, IBA, is food senior scientist, PhD. She is member of Romanian Academy for Agricultural and Forestry Sciences and member of the Consultative Council of Sustainable Development Department under Romanian Government. At the international level, she is member of SCAR Food System Working Group under European Commission and member of the Steering Committee and Management Board of Healthy Diet Healthy Life Initiative. Nastasia Belc is Romanian Node Representative for the pan-European Research Infrastructure, METROFOOD-RI. More she is member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the EUFIC organization.

As researcher, she coordinated and has been member of research teams for national and European projects related to designing or reformulating new food matrices and technologies (conventional or through circular bioeconomy, gluten-free products, and others). She has had over fifteen national patents for new food products and technologies, and she has published over 180 articles or book chapters in the field.

Eliza Markidou is a registered dietitian with degrees in Biology and Clinical Dietetics from the American University of Beirut and NYU. A former global president of the American Overseas Dietetic Association, she has shaped international nutrition policy for over 20 years. At Cyprus’s Ministry of Health, she leads national initiatives and represents the country at EU and WHO platforms. She is the founder of Bone Vivo, a nonprofit promoting healthy living among families, and directs the postgraduate Clinical Dietetics program at Limassol College. A passionate advocate for Mediterranean nutrition, she integrates public health, education, and cultural engagement in her work, and has lectured globally on holistic health approaches.