Nikolaos Tavoularis | Resilience Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Nikolaos Tavoularis | Resilience Engineering | Best Researcher Award

National Technical University of Athens | Greece

Dr. Nikolaos Tavoulari’s is an accomplished Engineering Geologist with over two decades of industrial, academic, and public sector experience. His professional journey reflects expertise in geosciences, geotechnics, slope stability, landslide risk assessment, and civil engineering applications. He has served in both private and governmental institutions, contributing to high-profile motorway, railway, and tunneling projects as well as environmental and regional planning. His dedication to applying geological engineering solutions to infrastructure development and natural hazard mitigation has earned him recognition as a European Geologist and as a respected contributor to the scientific community.

Publication Profile

ORCID

Google Scholar

Education Background

He holds a Ph.D. in Engineering Geology from the National Technical University of Athens, where he focused on landslide susceptibility factors and slope failure prognosis. As a postdoctoral researcher at Democritus University of Thrace, he specialized in landslide risk assessment, developing geodatabases and web-based GIS tools. He earned an M.Sc. in Environmental Geology from the Agricultural University of Athens, where his thesis explored the impact of geothermal liquids on aquifer quality. His academic foundation was established with a B.Sc. in Geology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, complemented by comprehensive field-based research.

Professional Experience

Dr. Nikolaos Tavoulari’s has extensive experience in both private and public sectors, beginning with large-scale geotechnical investigations for major civil engineering works, including highways, railways, tunnels, and metro projects. In his public service roles, he has managed environmental and geotechnical projects at the Ministry of Environment and later at the Region of Attica, focusing on tender evaluations, contract management, geological mapping, and infrastructure risk assessments. He has been responsible for supervising technical works across Attica and nearby islands, preparing damage reports, and auditing performance for civil projects, consistently applying scientific knowledge to real-world engineering challenges.

Awards and Honors

His career has been recognized with professional credentials and memberships that reflect his expertise and contributions to the field. He was awarded the title of European Geologist by the European Federation of Geologists, a distinction highlighting his professional competence across Europe. He is an active member of international and national scientific societies, including the International Association of Engineering Geologists, the Geotechnical Chamber of Greece, and the Geological Society of Greece. These affiliations showcase his strong presence in both the academic and professional spheres, underscoring his commitment to advancing geological engineering practices.

Research Focus

Dr. Nikolaos Tavoulari’s research interests are deeply rooted in landslide susceptibility, hazard mapping, and risk assessment, with an emphasis on applying advanced engineering geology techniques to improve infrastructure resilience. He has developed methods combining Rock Engineering Systems, GIS applications, and geostatistical approaches for identifying and mitigating geohazards. His studies extend to soil erosion, slope stability, and environmental geology, aiming to provide practical solutions for sustainable infrastructure and disaster risk reduction. Through publications, conference participation, and peer-review contributions, he actively advances knowledge in geotechnical risk management and fosters collaboration between scientific research and engineering practice.

Publication Notes

Title: Towards the Resilience of Attica Region’s Provincial Road 3 in Greece, Due to Slope Failure by Applying Civil Engineering Techniques and a Semi-Quantitative Assessment Approach
Published Year: 2025
Citation: 1

Title: Restoration of damage to a provincial road in the Region of Attica after a disastrous weather event
Published Year: 2024
Citation: 3

Title: How the EU Soil Observatory contributes to a stronger soil erosion community
Published Year: 2024
Citation: 9

Title: Soil Erosion and Landslide Susceptibility Mapping in Western Attica, Greece: A Rock Engineering System Approach
Published Year: 2023
Citation: 7

Title: Development of the landslide susceptibility map of Attica Region, Greece based on the method of rock engineering system
Published Year: 2021
Citation: 23

Conclusion

In summary, Dr. Nikolaos Tavoularis exemplifies the role of a modern Engineering Geologist whose career spans critical infrastructure projects, advanced academic research, and public sector responsibilities. His expertise in geohazard management and geotechnical engineering has contributed significantly to improving safety and sustainability in both urban and rural regions of Greece. Recognized with European-level professional accreditation and actively engaged in scientific societies, he continues to bridge the gap between applied geology and societal needs. His dedication to both practice and research ensures that his work remains impactful in shaping resilient infrastructure and addressing environmental challenges.

Borka Jerman Blažič | Cyber Security Award | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Borka Jerman Blažič | Cyber Security Award | Best Researcher Award

Ljubljana, University of Ljubljana, Economic Department and Jožef Stefan Institute, Slovenia

Borka Džonova Jerman-Blazic is a full professor and scientific advisor at the Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana, where she teaches courses on “Telecommunication Services and Mechanism” and “Electronic Communications.” She is also the head of the Laboratory for Open Systems and Networks at the Jožef Stefan Institute in Ljubljana, Slovenia. With over 40 years of experience in academia and research, she has made significant contributions to the fields of telecommunications, information technology, and internet security. Her involvement in European and international projects has led to her recognition as a leader in these fields. She is actively engaged in shaping the digital future of Europe and beyond.

Publication Profile

Scopus

Education 🎓

Borka Džonova Jerman-Blazic earned a Master of Science degree in 1975 from the University of Ljubljana, specializing in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. She completed her Ph.D. in 1981 at the University of Zagreb, Faculty for Natural Sciences in Croatia.

Experience 💼

Her professional career spans several decades, beginning in 1971 at the Jožef Stefan Institute, where she has held various roles, including Head of the Laboratory for Open Systems and Networks. As a full professor at the University of Ljubljana, she teaches courses in telecommunications and electronic communications. She has held visiting scientist positions at Iowa State University and Drake University in the U.S. (1982-1983) and has been involved in numerous European projects, including the RARE network and EUREKA. She has also served in leadership roles for various technical committees and research groups across Europe.

Awards and Honors 🏅

Borka Džonova Jerman-Blazic has received numerous accolades for her contributions to research and technology. These include the Plaque of Appreciation from IFIP and ACM Tai branches for her contributions to internet technology (1984), the Boris Kidrič State Foundation Award for Research Achievements (1987), and the Medal of Merit from the President of Slovenia for her pioneering work in introducing and developing the Internet in Slovenia (2017). In 2021, she received the State Award for Lifetime Achievement in Science and Research from the Slovenian Ministry for Science and Education.

Research Focus 🔬

Her research interests focus on cybersecurity, digital forensic research, and economic modeling of information security risk management. She has been involved in various EU-funded projects and has made significant contributions to the development of secure internet infrastructures and the application of interactive technologies in cybersecurity education. Her work also explores overcoming the digital divide and enhancing digital skills for elderly adults.

Conclusion 🏁

Borka Džonova Jerman-Blazic is a highly respected figure in the fields of telecommunications, internet security, and digital infrastructure. Her extensive academic and professional background, combined with her leadership in EU and international research projects, has positioned her as a key player in shaping the future of digital networks. Her contributions to both research and education continue to influence the development of advanced internet technologies and cybersecurity solutions worldwide.

Publications 📖

Teaching and learning cybersecurity for European youth by applying interactive technology and smart educationERA Forum, 2020, 20(3), pp. 471–489 (Cited by 0)

Investigating crime in an interconnected society: will the new and updated EU judicial environment remove the barriers to justice?International Review of Law, Computers and Technology, 2020, 34(1), pp. 87–107 (Cited by 1)

A new legal framework for cross-border data collection in crime investigation amongst selected European countriesInternational Journal of Cyber Criminology, 2019, 13(2), pp. 270–289 (Cited by 2)

Advancement in Cybercrime Investigation – The New European Legal Instruments for Collecting Cross-border E-evidenceAdvances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, 2019, 918, pp. 858–867 (Cited by 2)

Eye tracking graphical passwordsAdvances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, 2018, 593, pp. 37–44 (Cited by 4)

New method for determination complexity using in AD HOC cloud computing2017 40th International Convention on Information and Communication Technology, Electronics and Microelectronics, MIPRO 2017 – Proceedings, 2017, pp. 188–191 (Cited by 1)

User bias in online trust systems: aligning the system designers’ intentions with the users’ expectationsBehaviour and Information Technology, 2017, 36(4), pp. 404–421 (Cited by 7)

Why That Picture? Discovering Password Properties in Recognition-Based Graphical AuthenticationInternational Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 2016, 32(12), pp. 975–988 (Cited by 8)