|
Menelaos Stavrinides, Assistant Professor
Group leader CV I received a BSc in Agriculture from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, and an MSc in Biological Control from Imperial College, London. I continued my studies in the US where I obtained an MS and PhD in Environmental Science from the University of California, Berkeley. I carried out postdoctoral research at the University of California, Berkeley and taught undergraduate courses in Ecology and Biology at the same university. I worked as a researcher at both the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the Agricultural Research Institute of Cyprus. I am currently an Assistant Professor at the Cyprus University of Technology, Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology and Food Science. |
Post-doctoral Researchers
|
Vassilis Litskas
Ecowinery Project Genomite Project CV My background is agronomy, natural resources management and agricultural Engineering and I am a post-doctoral researcher at the Sustainable Agriculture Group since March 2015. I have participated in the project “Genomite: New generation sustainable tools to control emerging mite pests under climate change”. My research is targeted on modelling the effects of climate change on phytophagous and predatory spider mites, focusing on the impact on biological control. I also work on the determination of greenhouse emissions from agriculture and environmental footprinting. I have worked on various research projects funded from public and private organizations in Greece, Cyprus and the EU under the theme of Sustainable Agriculture and Protection of the Environment. I teach agrometeorology, hydrology and water resources management, environmental impact assessment, agricultural machinery and equipment in undergraduate university students. |
|
Antonis Chrysargyris
PlantSafe Project Chrysargyris Antonios is a biologist (B.Sc.), graduated from Department of Biology, University of Crete, where he also obtained his master degree (M.Sc.). He holds a Ph.D. degree from Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), from the Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology and Food Science, on aromatic and medicinal plants, plant secondary metabolites, quality and nutritional value of medicinal plants, essential oils and hydroponic cultivations. His main research interests are the aromatic/medicinal plants cultivation and mineral needs, their nutritional and mineral value, essential oils applications as insecticides/repellents, as antibacterial and antioxidant agents or as sanitizers in fresh produce. He works as a research associate in CUT since 2013 and as post-doctoral researcher since 2017. He has worked in numerous National and European projects: HYDROFLIES, SALTAROMA, VITISMART, AGROLABS, OPTI-BIOCHAR, RELIVE-WASTE. Currently he works for the PLANTSAFE project, focusing on the applications of essential oils as pesticides and/or plant growth promoting compounds. |
|
Giorgos Michailides
PlantSafe Project CV Georgios Michaelides is an agronomist (B.Sc.), graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He holds a Ph.D. in Ecology and Biodiversity from University of Cyprus, from the Department of Biological Sciences. His main research interests include the biological control of agricultural pests and the insecticide resistance development of insects. He is currently a research associate at Cyprus University of Technology (PlantSafe Project). |
PhDs
Kostas Michael, PhD candidate
Implementation of novel spraying techniques in vineyards
CV
I received a BSc in Agriculture from the Democritus University of Thrace, Greece, at the Plant Protection Section. I continued my studies in Cyprus at the Mediterranean Institute of Management (MIM) where I obtained a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. Currently, I am a doctoral student at CUT, focusing on the implementation of novel spraying techniques in vineyards. I worked as a researcher at the Agricultural Research Institute of Cyprus. From 2008 I am working at the Department of Agriculture of Cyprus at the Paphos District Office, as a Plant Protection Officer for seven years and afterwards as an Agricultural Extension Officer, specializing in calibration of sprayers and implementing new techniques for the Cypriot farmers.
Implementation of novel spraying techniques in vineyards
CV
I received a BSc in Agriculture from the Democritus University of Thrace, Greece, at the Plant Protection Section. I continued my studies in Cyprus at the Mediterranean Institute of Management (MIM) where I obtained a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. Currently, I am a doctoral student at CUT, focusing on the implementation of novel spraying techniques in vineyards. I worked as a researcher at the Agricultural Research Institute of Cyprus. From 2008 I am working at the Department of Agriculture of Cyprus at the Paphos District Office, as a Plant Protection Officer for seven years and afterwards as an Agricultural Extension Officer, specializing in calibration of sprayers and implementing new techniques for the Cypriot farmers.
Andri Varnava, PhD candidate
Biodiversity and ecology of the wild bees of Cyprus
CV
My interest in Agriculture led me to study at the Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment in the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in the Department of Crop Production (Plant Protection) for my BSc. I received my Master’s degree in Plant Biotechnology from the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT). I am currently a doctoral student at CUT, studying the ecology and biodiversity of wild bees on the island. For my MSc thesis, I documented the biodiversity, flowering plant preferences and seasonal activity of wild bees of Cyprus based on the surveys of the well-known Cypriot entomologist George A. Mavromoustakis. I am currently involved in the COST Action “Super-B: Sustainable pollination in Europe”, through which and I have gained a lot of experience in identifying, collecting and working with wild bees. In collaboration with members of SUPER-B, we organised the Second European Bee Course in Cyprus. My research interests include wild bee conservation and the interaction between social and native bees. I am also interested in the quantification of the value of pollination services provided by wild bees on the island.
Biodiversity and ecology of the wild bees of Cyprus
CV
My interest in Agriculture led me to study at the Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment in the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in the Department of Crop Production (Plant Protection) for my BSc. I received my Master’s degree in Plant Biotechnology from the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT). I am currently a doctoral student at CUT, studying the ecology and biodiversity of wild bees on the island. For my MSc thesis, I documented the biodiversity, flowering plant preferences and seasonal activity of wild bees of Cyprus based on the surveys of the well-known Cypriot entomologist George A. Mavromoustakis. I am currently involved in the COST Action “Super-B: Sustainable pollination in Europe”, through which and I have gained a lot of experience in identifying, collecting and working with wild bees. In collaboration with members of SUPER-B, we organised the Second European Bee Course in Cyprus. My research interests include wild bee conservation and the interaction between social and native bees. I am also interested in the quantification of the value of pollination services provided by wild bees on the island.
Athanasia Mandoulaki, PhD student
Effects of landscape and management practices on vineyard biodiversity
CV
I am interested in sustainable and low input agriculture and the enhancement of ecosystem services in agro-ecosystems. In addition to AgroLIFE, I have been involved in two EC funded projects, a) FP7 COFREE (www.co-free.eu) on the development of novel alternative compounds and innovative methods to control plant diseases and b) LIFE+ CONOPS (www.conops.gr) on the development of integrated management plans for the effective and environmental friendly control of the invasive tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus. I have gained experience on Mediterranean vineyard agro-ecosystems, on the protection of grapevines from fungal pathogens and harmful insects and on the development of strategies of low input and organic farming.
Effects of landscape and management practices on vineyard biodiversity
CV
I am interested in sustainable and low input agriculture and the enhancement of ecosystem services in agro-ecosystems. In addition to AgroLIFE, I have been involved in two EC funded projects, a) FP7 COFREE (www.co-free.eu) on the development of novel alternative compounds and innovative methods to control plant diseases and b) LIFE+ CONOPS (www.conops.gr) on the development of integrated management plans for the effective and environmental friendly control of the invasive tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus. I have gained experience on Mediterranean vineyard agro-ecosystems, on the protection of grapevines from fungal pathogens and harmful insects and on the development of strategies of low input and organic farming.
MSc Students
Delia Leone (current student – Erasmus exchange from the University of Catanya in Sicily, co-supervised with Assoc. Prof. Lucia Zappalà). Essential oil effects on the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae.
Rachelle La Spina (current student – Erasmus exchange from the University of Catanya in Sicily, co-supervised with Assoc. Prof. Lucia Zappalà). Essential oil effects on the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae.
Rachelle La Spina (current student – Erasmus exchange from the University of Catanya in Sicily, co-supervised with Assoc. Prof. Lucia Zappalà). Essential oil effects on the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae.
Lab Alumni
Cleopatra Moraiti, Post-doctoral fellow
Seed predators of Juniperus trees
Seed predators of Juniperus trees
|
Past MSc students
|
Chrysos Kaponas, MSc (2018)
- Vine leafhoppers: Biology, damage and molecular identification of common species in Cyprus
Marios Xydas, MSc (2018)
Landscape effects on the diversity of wild bees on the Akrotiri Peninsula
Landscape effects on the diversity of wild bees on the Akrotiri Peninsula
Giorgos Lyssandrou, MSc (2017)
Biological control of the grapeberry moth (Lobesia botrana) in Cyprus
Angela Michael, MSc (2016)
Effects of agricultural intensification and land abandonment on arthropod biodiversity
Timothea Ioannou, MSc (2016)
Determination of quality characteristics of honey from Cyprus and investigation of consumer attitudes. (Co-supervised with bee specialist Dr. Alexandros Papachristoforou).
Biological control of the grapeberry moth (Lobesia botrana) in Cyprus
Angela Michael, MSc (2016)
Effects of agricultural intensification and land abandonment on arthropod biodiversity
Timothea Ioannou, MSc (2016)
Determination of quality characteristics of honey from Cyprus and investigation of consumer attitudes. (Co-supervised with bee specialist Dr. Alexandros Papachristoforou).
Andri Varnava, MSc (2014)
Wild bee diversity in Cyprus
Wild bee diversity in Cyprus
Past undergraduate students
2018
Marilena Pittara: An updated checklist of the wild bees of Cyprus
2017
Polyvios Polyviou: Impact of a plant essential oil-based bio-pesticide on the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae.
Maria Theodorou: Application of the pheromone mating disruption technique for the control of the grape berry moth, Lobesia botrana, in Commandaria vineyards
Nicoletta Vasileiou: Wild bee diversity in winter in Akrotiri and Tserke-Tsiflik areas of Cyprus
2016
Demetris Chrysanthou: Assessment of arthropod biodiversity on abandoned and conventional vineyards in the Commandaria region of Cyprus.
Stavroula Louka: Wild bee diversity in high nature value vineyards and carob groves.
2015
Despina Theodotou: Leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), a group of important emerging pests of agricultural crops.
Andreas Andreou: Impact of soil-incorporated zeolite on population increase of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, on tomato plants.
Andreas Louka: Impact of a zeolite-based spray on mortality of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, on tomato plants.
Sotiroulla Laoutari: Impact of water-stress on lavender and sage plants, and effects of their essential oils on the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, on tomato plants. (co-supervised with Nikolaos Tzortzakis)
Demetris Demetriades: Evaluation of the ecosystem services of predation and biodiversity in Mediterranean tomato crops.
2014
Ioanna Angelidou: Biodiversity of soil-dwelling insects in tomato crops.
Xara Apostolidou: Biodiversity of plant-dwelling insects in tomato crops.
Valanto Vasileiou: Estimation of agri-environmental index 6 on pesticide use for vineyards in Cyprus.
2013
Eirini Viktoros: Impact of pesticide residues on the survival of the insect predator, Neosidiocoris tenuis.
Panayiota Kyriakou: Impact of insecticides on the functional response of the insect predators Nesidiocoris tenuis and Macrolophus pygmaeus.
2012
Efstathia Eleutheriou: Impact of insecticides on the behavior of the insect predator Macrolophus pygmaeus.
2011
Athanasios Gregoriou: Impact of novel pesticides on the insect-predator Macrolophus pygmaeus.
Marilena Pittara: An updated checklist of the wild bees of Cyprus
2017
Polyvios Polyviou: Impact of a plant essential oil-based bio-pesticide on the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae.
Maria Theodorou: Application of the pheromone mating disruption technique for the control of the grape berry moth, Lobesia botrana, in Commandaria vineyards
Nicoletta Vasileiou: Wild bee diversity in winter in Akrotiri and Tserke-Tsiflik areas of Cyprus
2016
Demetris Chrysanthou: Assessment of arthropod biodiversity on abandoned and conventional vineyards in the Commandaria region of Cyprus.
Stavroula Louka: Wild bee diversity in high nature value vineyards and carob groves.
2015
Despina Theodotou: Leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), a group of important emerging pests of agricultural crops.
Andreas Andreou: Impact of soil-incorporated zeolite on population increase of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, on tomato plants.
Andreas Louka: Impact of a zeolite-based spray on mortality of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, on tomato plants.
Sotiroulla Laoutari: Impact of water-stress on lavender and sage plants, and effects of their essential oils on the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, on tomato plants. (co-supervised with Nikolaos Tzortzakis)
Demetris Demetriades: Evaluation of the ecosystem services of predation and biodiversity in Mediterranean tomato crops.
2014
Ioanna Angelidou: Biodiversity of soil-dwelling insects in tomato crops.
Xara Apostolidou: Biodiversity of plant-dwelling insects in tomato crops.
Valanto Vasileiou: Estimation of agri-environmental index 6 on pesticide use for vineyards in Cyprus.
2013
Eirini Viktoros: Impact of pesticide residues on the survival of the insect predator, Neosidiocoris tenuis.
Panayiota Kyriakou: Impact of insecticides on the functional response of the insect predators Nesidiocoris tenuis and Macrolophus pygmaeus.
2012
Efstathia Eleutheriou: Impact of insecticides on the behavior of the insect predator Macrolophus pygmaeus.
2011
Athanasios Gregoriou: Impact of novel pesticides on the insect-predator Macrolophus pygmaeus.
