Our team

Anastasia is a graduate from the Department of Primary School Education, with a master degree in Environmental Education, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Department of Biology in collaboration with the Department of Preschool Education). She has worked in the field of mainstream and special education for 4 years.

She is actively involved in iSea since 2016, by contributing to a wide range of topics and projects, related to aquatic litter pollution and the relation between human and the aquatic ecosystems. Among others, she has led the active involvement of key stakeholdres in tackling and monitoring marine litter pollution, iSea’s awareness raising campaigns for the effective protection of the marine environment and vulnerable species, and the active participation of citizens in the shape of environmental policies. In addition, she significantly contributed to iSea’s strategy development and the issues of organizational importance. In addition, she recently became member of the Med Sea Alliance Steering Group that plays a key role in shaping the strategic direction and coordination of the Alliance.

Anastasia is now the Communication Officer of iSea, where she leads campaign strategy and fosters strong stakeholder engagement in marine environmental protection

Contact Info:

Εmail: anastasia.xaritou@isea.com.gr

Tel. +302313090696

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Born in Athens, he graduated from the faculty of Biology at the University of Crete. For more than 15 years he has dedicated his professional life to the protection of rare and endangered marine mammals and the management of marine and terrestrial habitat of Greece. As a biologist, he has worked with environmental organizations, research institutions and universities and public institutions. From 2008-2015 was the head of the Department of Protection and Policy of MOm / NGO for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal. He designed and implemented actions for species protection programs and management of the marine and coastal environment among the Greek coastline, as well as in the Mediterranean, Atlantic and Pacific ocean. Today he works for the protection of the Greek seas, the design and operation of Marine Protected Areas and the promotion and implementation of sustainable and environmentally friendly fisheries management practices. He was President of MOm, member of the Board of Management Bodies of the National Marine Park of Alonnisos and the Northern Sporades, and the Protected Area of Northern Karpathos and Saria, and Greek Zoological Society and member of Nature 2000. He has published and presented his work in numerous scientific journals and relevant conferences in the international and local level. He is also a professional photographer with many individual and collective exhibitions to his credit, while most of his photos have been published in press, magazines, photo albums and books. He speaks four languages, Greek, English, German and Spanish.

Born in Thessaloniki, Ioannis graduated from the Biology Department of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and holds a joint PhD from the Universities of Patras and Padova, where his research focused on shark and ray conservation policies in the Mediterranean. With over 15 years of experience in Mediterranean conservation, including roles at major organisations such as the Tethys Research Institute and the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, he is currently the Conservation Officer at the Environmental Organisation iSea. He also holds several key leadership positions, including Vice-Chair of the IUCN Shark Specialist Group for the Mediterranean, President of the European Elasmobranch Association, and other advisory roles related to shark and ray conservation. Ioannis has authored more than 50 articles in scientific journals and has delivered over 60 presentations at national and international conferences.

Contact Info:

Email: ioannis.giovos@isea.com.gr

tel. +302313090696

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Research Gate

Orcid

Anastasia is a graduate from the Department of Primary School Education, with a master degree in Environmental Education, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Department of Biology in collaboration with the Department of Preschool Education). She has worked in the field of mainstream and special education for 4 years.

She is actively involved in iSea since 2016, by contributing to a wide range of topics and projects, related to aquatic litter pollution and the relation between human and the aquatic ecosystems. Among others, she has led the active involvement of key stakeholdres in tackling and monitoring marine litter pollution, iSea’s awareness raising campaigns for the effective protection of the marine environment and vulnerable species, and the active participation of citizens in the shape of environmental policies. In addition, she significantly contributed to iSea’s strategy development and the issues of organizational importance. In addition, she recently became member of the Med Sea Alliance Steering Group that plays a key role in shaping the strategic direction and coordination of the Alliance.

Anastasia is now the Communication Officer of iSea, where she leads campaign strategy and fosters strong stakeholder engagement in marine environmental protection

Contact Info:

Εmail: anastasia.xaritou@isea.com.gr

Tel. +302313090696

Linkedin

Nefeli was born in Corfu. She graduated from the Law School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She continued her postgraduate studies at Aristotle University in the fields of Public Law and Political Science. Her thesis focused on the protection of animal rights, the need to shift from anthropocentrism to ecocentrism, and the development and analysis of theories, legislation, and court decisions concerning animal protection and wildlife conservation. She speaks three languages: English and Italian at an advanced level (C2) and French at an intermediate level (B2). She has attended conferences on climate change and its impacts at both national and European levels and has a strong sensitivity to issues of environmental ethics and ecology. At iSea, she works as Policy Officer.

Contact Info:

Email: nefeli.konidari@isea.com.gr

Tel. +302313090696

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Thomas is a graduate of the Department of Economics of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with a specialization in Business Administration. Since 2022, he has been involved in iSea’s projects on the financial coordination as well as the organisation’s financial and accounting operations. He speaks two languages, Greek and English (C2). He currently works as the Financial Officer.

Contact Info:

Email: thomas.chouliaras@isea.com.gr

tel. +302313090696

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Ioanna was born in Thessaloniki in 1995, she studied at the University of Thessaly, at the Department of Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment in Volos. Her Bachelor Thesis, focused in the variation of phytochromes and phycocyanin in the port of Volos. She completed her internship at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, at the Department of Biology, by being mainly involved in data collection.

She completed her MSc at the International University of Greece in Thessaloniki, at the Department of Food Science and Technology. Her Diploma Thesis focused on microplastics in the sediment on the sandy shores of Thessaloniki’s Gulf. She has attended various seminars related to the Aquatic Environment, Digital Marketing and AI. Moreover, she has obtained Information Technology (IT) and First Aid Certifications. Currently, she works at iSea as Assistant of Communication and Engagement.

Contact Info:

E-mail: ioanna.tzioga@isea.com.gr

tel. +302313090696

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Olympia is an educator, a graduate of the Department of Early Childhood Education, and holds a Master’s degree in Education for Sustainability from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. As part of her thesis, she explored kindergarten teachers’ empathy toward animals and how they approach them in the classroom. Her postgraduate studies provided a valuable learning and development experience, sparking her strong interest in fostering a positive relationship between humans and the natural world. She began volunteering with environmental organizations, designing and implementing educational programs to raise students’ awareness about animal and environmental protection. She has worked as a kindergarten teacher and museum educator and has also been professionally involved in educational robotics, focusing on promoting environmental awareness and sustainability. Today, she works at iSea as a Communication Assistant.

Contact Info:

Email: olympia.koukouvetsiou@isea.com.gr

tel. +302313090696

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Alex was born in Thessaloniki in 1988. He graduated from the Department of Physical Education and Sports Science at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Serres branch), specializing in swimming. He worked as a swimming instructor from 2009 to 2011. Since then, he has been involved in the logistics sector, working seasonally for a food distribution company abroad. In 2012, he started working in the same position for a toy company. In 2013, he assumed the role of warehouse manager in the same company. His interests include mountaineering and climbing, which sparked his passion for environmental protection. He speaks three languages: Greek, Czech (native), and English In iSea he works as an Administrative Assistant.

Contact Info:

Email: alex.adamidis@isea.com.gr

tel. +302313090696

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Christina was born in Thessaloniki. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geotechnology and Environmental Engineering from the Technological Educational Institute of Western Macedonia and a Master’s degree in Hazard, Disaster and Crisis Management from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management at Oxford Brookes University (England).

She speaks two languages (Greek and English) and has knowledge of design and ERP software.

She works at iSea as a Finance Assistant.

Contact Info:

E-mail: christina.eleftheriadou@isea.com.gr

Tel. +302313090696

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Nikoletta was born in Veria and is a graduate of Marine Biology with Oceanography from Southampton University. She has participated and implemented actions of European projects, National plans and financial institutions. She has worked as a Project Manager in ARCHELON, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece organizing and coordinating all actions of public awareness and protection of sea turtles and their habitats in Zakynthos island and Amvrakikos Gulf. She has an SSI advanced Open Water Diver diploma and speaks three languages, Greek (native), English (C2) and Dutch (B1).  She’s working as a Project Manager in the Human & Aquatic Ecosystems and Marine Protected Areas.

Contact Info:

Email: nikoletta.sidiropoulou@isea.com.gr

tel. +302313090696

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Nikos, born in Thessaloniki in 1989, studied at the University of the Aegean in the Department of Marine Sciences (now named as Department of Oceanography and Marine Biosciences) in Mytilini. He has carried out his internship in the Fishing Department of Mytilini, in fish aquaculture in Loutra, Lesvos and in the Netherlands in a pilot program of aquaponic production of plants and freshwater fish. Within iSea he published the recreational fishing guide together with Giorgos Tyrikos Ergas and the University of Patras. Since 2016 he has been involved professionally at iSea projects as a manager at citizen science projects, such as “Is it alien to you? Share it!!!”, projects related to the organisation and implementation of beach and underwater cleanups, such as “Prosfero” and projects that promote the sustainable consumption of seafood, such as “Pick The Alien”. Finally, he is responsible for the “Typhoon Microplastic Project,” which investigates the abundance of microplastics in water and sediment samples across Greece.

All these years he participated in many conferences, presenting the work of iSea in these projects, while he attended many workshops. He speaks two languages, Greek (native) and English (B2). His interests are recreational fishing and its sustainability, scale modelling and repairing. Every day he is following a zerowaste lifestyle! Since 2016 he works at iSea as Project Manager.

Contact Info:

Email: nikolaos.doumpas@isea.com.gr

tel. +302313090696

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Martina was born in Italy and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Padova, where she also got a Master’s degree in Marine Biology. She is currently in the final year of her PhD at the University of Patras.

Her research focuses on elasmobranchs biology, ecology, behaviour, and fishery management, with additional interests in legislation and education. During her internship and following her Master’s degree, she collaborated on projects led by the University of Padova, including the Italian Bycatch Monitoring Project. Martina knows how to code in R and use QGIS, and holds a drone license (A1/A3). She speaks two languages: Italian (native) and English.

She is currently working at iSea as Project Manager in the field base of Amvrakikos Gulf.

Contact information:

Email: martina.ciprian@isea.com.gr

Tel.: +302313090696

Linkedin

Kyriaki was born in 1999 in Thessaloniki. She has a bachelor’s degree from the Department of Oceanography and Marine Sciences, from the University of the Aegean. She speaks two languages: Greek (native) and English (B2). She’s familiar with Microsoft Office applications, GIS software and she’s a certified PADI Advanced Open Water Diver. She conducted her internship at iSea in the summer of 2021, in the “Vulnerable Species” pillar and more specifically in the project “Sharks and Rays in Greece and Cyprus”. She’s working as a Project Manager.

Contact Information:

Email: kyriaki.pyloridou@isea.com.gr

Tel. +302313090696

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João was born on Terceira Island, in the Azores, developed a strong connection with the ocean from an early age. He earned a BSc in Nature and Heritage from the University of the Azores, completing study exchanges and internships in La Réunion and Martinique, where he focused on tropical marine biology and cetacean population dynamics. He later obtained an MSc in Marine Sciences from the University of Milano-Bicocca, specializing in marine ecology and conservation, and conducted his thesis research on cetaceans in the Maldives. With several years of experience in whale and dolphin watching across the Azores, the Caribbean, and the Maldives, João has worked as a tour guide and researcher, combining public engagement through tourism with data collection for scientific purposes. In addition, he is an experienced scuba diver and freediver, as well as a licensed boat skipper, which has further enhanced his ability to conduct fieldwork and lead marine excursions safely and effectively. Fluent in Portuguese (native speaker), English, Spanish, French, and Italian, he aims to make marine science accessible and to promote awareness of ocean conservation. Today, he works as a Program Manager

Contact Info:

Email: joaobernardo.barreiros@isea.com.gr

Tel. +302313090696

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Ilektra was born in 1998, she is from Nafplio and has completed her bachelor’s in Marine and Freshwater Biology at Edinburgh Napier University, and her master’s degree in Marine Conservation at University of Plymouth. Academically, she has focused on a wide range of topics and has completed her dissertation on elasmobranch trade between Greece and Turkey in collaboration with iSea, while for her MSc thesis, she worked on data-limited shark and ray stock assessment approaches with Blue Resources Trust in Sri Lanka. She was previously involved with Archelon working first as a monitoring coordinator in Zakynthos and later as a project assistant in the Peloponnese projects. She had also volunteered with the Hellenic Rescue Team, the Argolic Environment Foundation, participated as a diver in underwater cleanups and was involved in the recent IUCN National Red List Assessment of Sharks and Rays with iSea. She has skills in R, QGIS and Adobe Premiere software, while she is a certified PADI Open Water Diver, drone operator (A1/A3 & A2), speedboat operator and BLS first aid responder.

She has a range of interests, including blue carbon, ecosystem services, MPA’s and using technology for research. She speaks 3 languages: Greek (native), English (native) and basic Dutch. Within iSea she works as a Project Manager in the MPA Pillar for the projects in the Ionian Sea.

Contact Information:

Email: ilektra.athinaiou@isea.com.gr

Tel: +30 2313 090696

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Kalliopi grew up in Kavala and holds a degree in Forestry, as well as a Master’s in Integrated Coastal Zone Management. She has participated in research focusing on Posidonia oceanica and holds certifications in scuba diving, speedboat license, ArcGIS, and drone license. At iSea, she works as the coordinator of marine conservation and restoration activities on the island of Lemnos.

Contact Info:

Email: kalliopi.lazarou@isea.com.gr

Tel. +302313090696

George was born and raised in Thessaloniki. He studied Business Administration at the University of Macedonia and continued his studies in Ecological Economics at the University of Edinburgh. He worked as a street fundraiser for Greenpeace and WWF, and as a household energy consumption advisor in England and Scotland. For 10 years, he was the Press and Communications Officer of the environmental organization “Callisto”. He speaks four languages: Greek, English, Spanish, and French. Today, he works as a Program Manager, with a focus on Fisheries Community Engagement.

Contact Info:

Email: giorgos.theodoridis@isea.com.gr

Tel. +302313090696

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Maria was born in 1982, comes from Drama and is a wine technologist, with specialization from the Institute AFEC de l’Europe Bordeaux (Wine Products Marketing). She has collaborated with several wineries in Northern Greece as well as with the National Agricultural Research Foundation for
viticulture in Greece. She speaks 4 languages (Greek, English, French, Turkish).

She has attended specially certified seminars on the circular economy, recycling in the industrial sector and competitive sustainable entrepreneurship within European Union. She is a PADI Open Water Diver and first aid certified.

She currently works at iSea as the Project Manager of the “Fishing for Litter” project and is actively involved in projects related to fishers and the engagement of the fishing community in marine conservation.

Contact Information:

Email: maria.sidiropoulou@isea.com.gr

tel. +302313090696

Francesco was born in 1993 in a small fishery town in México. There he did a bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Veracruz. Afterward, he studied a master’s degree in marine biology at the University of Plymouth in the UK. Through his bachelor’s and master’s degree he was involved in many projects including sea turtles, coral reefs, fisheries, zooplankton, costal ecology, and hermit crabs being the last one the main topic in his bachelor dissertation. During his master’s degree dissertation, he did a internship at the Marine and Environmental Laboratory (MER) in Cyprus, where he completed his Mres. dissertation analysing the recolonization rate of Lionfish (Pterois miles) in two different reefs. This collaboration led to publish his first paper entitle “Regular monitoring and targeted removals can control lionfish in Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas”. After that, he worked as a field assistant during the turtle nesting season in the NGO “Project Biodiversidade” located in the island of Sal in Cape Verde, where also volunteer in two different underwater cleanups on the island.

He is a Certified PADI Divemaster, Emergency First responder and Oxygen provider. He speaks 3 languages: Spanish(native), Italian (native), English (native). He works at iSea as an Assistant Project Manager.

Contact Info:

Email: francesco.cecconi@isea.com.gr

tel. +302313090696

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Katerina was born in 2001 in Volos and is a graduate of the Department of Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment of the University of Thessaly. As part of her thesis, she worked on aquaponics systems, and during her studies, she completed her internship both at the Department of Fisheries of the Region of Magnesia. She speaks Greek (native language), English (C2 level), and Spanish (B2 level). She has very good computer skills and is a certified PADI Open Water Diver. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Sustainable Management of the Aquatic Environment. At iSea, she works as Assistant to the Field Actions and Public Engagement Manager.

Contact Info:

Email: katerina.kokkali@isea.com.gr

Tel. +302313090696

Athina Ziou is an Ichthyologist, holding an MSc in Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture. Currently a PhD Candidate at the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture of the University of Patras her research focuses on ecology, fish biology, and aquatic ecosystem management.

Her scientific activity includes participation in research projects with an emphasis on population monitoring and environmental impact assessments. Her expertise spans from fieldwork and biological data collection to statistical analysis and the preparation of specialized technical reports. She works at iSea as an Assistant Project Manager.

Contact information:

Εmail: athina.ziou@isea.com.gr

Tel. +302313090696

Ilaeira was born in Athens and studied at the Department of Biology of the University of Crete specialising in Environmental Biology and Management of Biological Resources. She holds a Master’s degree from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Biodiversity and Biological Resources Management with specialisation in Ecology and Conservation Biology.

Both at the undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, she worked with ecological modeling techniques for the conservation of different species of reptiles in Greece and the Mediterranean, under the influence of climate change following the methodological framework of Systematic Conservation Planning. She’s collaborated with the Natural History Museum of Crete during her thesis on the study and conservation of the genus Podarcis in Greece. Part of it was included in the “Atlas of Reptiles and Amphibians of Greece” of the Hellenic Herpetological Society. In addition, she has been involved in the conservation of the sea turtle Caretta caretta both through her postgraduate thesis and also, through her contribution to the work of the environmental organization Wildlife Sense on the island of Kefalonia. So far, the main objects of her research activity have been the Modeling of the Environmental Scope of the species, as well as Spatial Conservation Planning.

She speaks Greek and English and has numerous technical skills, such as, knowledge in the R programming language, GIS software, ecological modeling methods, as well as knowledge of using spatial planning prioritization software. She also has an Open Water Diver diploma.

She works as an Assistant Project Manager across all project pillars and actively contributes to the promotion of citizen science, serving as the steward of the iNaturalist Greece platform. She specializes in geospatial analyses and is involved in the study and conservation of elasmobranchs.

Contact Info:

E-mail: ilaeira.giatroudaki@isea.com.gr

tel. +302313090696

Dimitris  was born in 1986 in Thessaloniki. He studied at the School of Fine Arts / Film Department of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and at UdK Berlin, and holds the MA degrees in Directing and Communication.

He works as a photojournalist and wildlife photographer, collaborating with Greek and international media outlets such as APE-MPE, EPA, Deutsche Welle, XINHUA, and Kathimerini. His work documents environmental and social issues, as well as culture and sports, with numerous publications in major international and Greek media, along with significant solo and group exhibitions.

He has received several awards, including the Athens Photo World Award in 2021 for the project “Diava”, and the Migration Media Award in 2017 and 2018 for his coverage of the refugee crisis in the Balkans, as well as recognition from ESIEMTH.

Since 2019, he has been collaborating with the environmental organization iSea for the protection of marine ecosystems.