Anna Vatsanidou | Climate Simulation | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Anna Vatsanidou | Climate Simulation | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor | National Kapodistrian University Athens | Greece

Assist. Prof. Dr. Anna Vatsanidou is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Agricultural Development, Agri-food and Natural Resources Management of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She is a highly skilled agriculturist with expertise in integrated agricultural production systems and environmental assessment. Over the years, she has significantly contributed to the advancement of sustainable agriculture and environmental impact studies in the agri-food sector. With active involvement in multiple international and national projects, she has established herself as a prominent researcher and educator dedicated to promoting sustainable agricultural development and innovative farming practices.

Publication Profile

Scopus

ORCID

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Education Background

Assist. Prof. Dr. Anna Vatsanidou pursued her academic journey in agriculture and environmental sciences with strong dedication. She earned her MSc in integrated agricultural production systems, which gave her a solid foundation in advanced farming methods. She later obtained her PhD in Environmental Assessment from the Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment at the University of Thessaly. This academic background equipped her with a strong interdisciplinary understanding, combining agricultural sciences with environmental sustainability approaches, and prepared her for impactful research in precision agriculture and life cycle assessment methods in the agri-food sector.

Professional Experience

Assist. Prof. Dr. Anna Vatsanidou has accumulated diverse professional experience across academia, research institutions, and applied agricultural practice. She worked as a PhD Researcher at the National Center for Research and Technological Development, focusing on environmental impact assessment in the agri-food sector. Additionally, she served as an external research fellow at the Agricultural University of Athens and the University of Thessaly. Her career also includes roles as an agronomist in public organizations, private institutions, and as a project manager at the Benaki Phytopathological Institute, where she coordinated national and European research projects contributing to agricultural innovation and sustainability.

Awards and Honors

Throughout her career, Assist. Prof. Dr. Anna Vatsanidou has been recognized for her significant involvement in prestigious research collaborations and competitive project initiatives. She has participated in several European projects under programs such as Interreg-MED, and PRIMA. Her contributions to projects like FutureFarm, RoboFarm, PEFMED, PoliRural, Organic Plus, and SmartOliveGrove reflect her recognized expertise and collaborative leadership. Nationally, she has also been part of cutting-edge initiatives like SmartPeach and InsectFeedAroma. Her role in securing and managing such projects stands as an acknowledgment of her professional achievements in agricultural research and sustainable innovation.

Research Focus

The primary research focus of Assist. Prof. Dr. Anna Vatsanidou centers on sustainable agriculture, precision farming, and environmental impact evaluation. She specializes in the use of life cycle assessment (LCA) for analyzing the environmental footprint across the agri-food production and processing chain. Her work extends to the development of precision agriculture techniques, environmentally friendly pest control solutions, and innovative production systems aligned with climate resilience and sustainability goals. By bridging technological advancement with ecological responsibility, her research supports both academic progress and practical agricultural transformation toward greener and more efficient production systems.

Publication Top Notes

  • Real-time freshness prediction for Apples and Lettuces using imaging recognition and advanced algorithms in a user-friendly mobile application
    Published Year: 2025
    Citation: 1

  • Cybersecurity threats and mitigation measures in agriculture 4.0 and 5.0
    Published Year: 2024
    Citation: 10

  • Precision farming technologies on crop protection: A stakeholders survey
    Published Year: 2023
    Citation: 35

  • Precision farming technologies for crop protection: A meta-analysis
    Published Year: 2023
    Citation: 40

  • Environmental Impact Assessment of Emission Reduction Technologies
    Published Year: 2023
    Citation: 20

Conclusion

Assist. Prof. Dr. Anna Vatsanidou is a dedicated academic and researcher committed to advancing sustainable agriculture, environmental assessment, and precision farming. Her academic foundation, diverse professional background, and extensive participation in international research projects highlight her expertise and impact in the agri-food sector. Through her innovative research approaches and contributions to European and national initiatives, she continues to play an influential role in shaping the future of sustainable agricultural practices and environmental management. Her career represents a strong blend of science, practice, and policy integration for agricultural development.

Dr. Julian Riano | Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Julian Riano | Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Lecturer, University of Brighton, United Kingdom

Julian D. Riano is a dynamic academic and facilitator with a global perspective in business education 🌍. He holds a Doctorate in Strategy, Organisations, and Society from Newcastle University (UK), and brings a wealth of international experience from the US, Colombia, and the UK. Fluent in both English and Spanish , Dr. Riano is passionate about innovative, entrepreneurship-focused teaching that prepares students to tackle real-world business challenges. His approach emphasizes experiential and challenge-based learning, fostering practical skills and strategic thinking among learners 📈.

Publication Profile

ORCID

🎓 Education Background

Dr. Riano’s academic journey is both diverse and impressive. He recently pursued a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice at the University of Brighton (2023–2024) 🎓. He earned his Doctorate from Newcastle University (2017–2021), preceded by an MBA in IT Management from Southern New Hampshire University, USA (2012–2014) 💼. His foundational studies include a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Finance from Western Connecticut State University (2004–2008) and an Associate Degree in Computer Information Systems Technology from Naugatuck Valley Community College (2001–2004) 💻. He also obtained the CELTA certificate from the University of Cambridge and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) 🎖️.

💼 Professional Experience

Dr. Riano is currently a Lecturer in Entrepreneurship and Strategy at the University of Brighton’s School of Business and Law (since March 2022) 📚. He also serves as a Visiting Business Lecturer at Newcastle University Business School – London (since 2019) and continues to contribute as an Academic Researcher there (since 2017). Since 2017, he has also held a Visiting Lecturer role at the University of Brighton International College. His consistent academic contributions have enriched numerous business modules including strategy, organizational behaviour, entrepreneurship, and IT management across undergraduate and postgraduate levels 🏫.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Julian D. Riano holds the Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) awarded by Advance HE in 2019 🎓. He is also CELTA certified, showcasing his commitment to effective pedagogy and inclusive, high-quality teaching in English as a second language 🌐. These recognitions reinforce his teaching excellence and dedication to student-centred learning.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Riano’s research primarily explores social capital, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and strategic management, especially within SMEs in the UK and emerging economies 🌱. His work sheds light on how value is created beyond traditional economic measures—focusing instead on social impact and organizational innovation. His interest in challenge-based learning also drives his pedagogical research, aligning with entrepreneurship and business education practices 🔍.

📝 Conclusion

In summary, Julian D. Riano is a globally engaged academic leader blending pedagogical innovation, strategic research, and multicultural teaching experiences 🌎. His interdisciplinary expertise and passion for impactful education make him a strong advocate for student empowerment and entrepreneurial thinking across the globe 🚀.

📚 Top Publications

Challenge-based learning: A ‘entrepreneurship-oriented’ teaching experience (2020)
Journal: Management in Education | 📑 Cited by: 3 articles

Challenge-Based Learning: A ‘Entrepreneurship-Oriented’ Teaching Experience (2020)
Conference: British Academy of Management – BAM 2020 | 📑 Cited by: 2 articles

Social Capital, The Lesser-Known Victim of Crime in Bogota – Colombia (2020)
Conference: British Academy of Management – BAM 2020 | 📑 Cited by: 1 article

Value Creation Beyond Economic Frontiers Via Social Capital Benefits: Evidence of SMEs in The UK Construction Industry (2020)
Conference: British Academy of Management – BAM 2020 | 📑 Cited by: 2 articles

Social capital benefits and value creation toward sustainability: evidence of SMEs in the UK construction industry (2020)
Conference: European Group of Organizational Studies – EGOS 2020 | 📑 Cited by: 2 articles