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

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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.