Our team — Science Reactors

Eleni Grammatikopoulou

Eleni Grammatikopoulou has devoted her entire professional life, with passion and inventiveness, to the field of Science Communication. First as an administrative executive at the National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF) and then (1993 – 2013) as head of the pioneering programme of its Educational Events “SCIENCE AND SOCIETY”, with the aim of opening knowledge up to the general public. Since 2013, she has worked with the same inexhaustible passion to combat scientific illiteracy as a member of planning, promotion and organising committees for major science festivals and programmes. Yet she was always looking for a different way of promoting science, outside conventional activities, and she achieved this in 2014 by creating the subversive Science Reactors team, a rotating dynamic of researchers from a broad range of mainly “hard” sciences, who marry the practices of Stand up Science and Science on Stage with the inventiveness and humour of Stand up Comedy.

In 2018 she was awarded the Science Communication Award – EPI2 2018, established by SciCo and first presented at Athens Science Festival18. Recently, together with the Pint of Science Greece team, with whom she shares the same vision for Science Communication/Engagement, they founded the non-profit civil company Science Ahead.

Recently, together with Professor Pantazis Houlis, founder of the Museum of Puzzles of Megisti (Kastellorizo), she organised a major local science festival of national importance, the Festival of Puzzles (24-26/9). She is already a member of the board of EN.I.G.MA (Union of Ideas, Puzzles, Mathematics), whose goals also include the Museum of Puzzles.

Finally, she has shown a similar interest in cinema, television and books. Besides production management for a series of historical and scientific documentaries, short films and advertising spots, she also signed off on the editing of 60 scientific publications of the NHRF.

Konstantinos Antonaropoulos

Konstantinos Antonaropoulos was born in Athens. He learned to speak English, French and Spanish because he loves cultures and different people. He studied philosophy and rhetoric to put his words and thoughts in order. And after doing all that, he took up singing and stand up comedy, giving performances. A man of life and very sociable, he likes board games, tennis, travelling and making others laugh. His friends say he is characterised by his good energy and positive aura. Get to know him and you'll remember me... (He often collaborates with Science Reactors

Chara Afaloniati

Chara Afaloniati (another vet in our gang). Name and deed! Her constant occupation is to give people joy, through her blunders and not only! A veterinary graduate who is anything but a vet, since the lab lamps eat her up every day! She is a PhD candidate and believes she will rid us of the curse of cancer! When she isn't spending all day and night with test tubes, you'll find her in dark holes in the company of bats and stalactites, or impressing the crowds dancing swing at the White Tower! Sometimes you may catch her dressed in red saving human lives, or in white wrestling with hawks, wolves and other wild animals! Her motto: smile, kids, it's contagious and it's free!

biologist (recent member) will send her CV shortly

Georgios Galanopoulos

Georgios Galanopoulos: As a little boy he played with batteries, cables, little bulbs, toy robots and toy cars. He walked around with a screwdriver in his pocket, took working things apart to see what was inside. When he put them back together, there were always screws left over and for some inexplicable reason the things didn't work.

From the above evidence and with a 99% confidence interval, science ruled that this particular species would grow up to join the class of "engineers". Science was vindicated, because the little boy studied at NTUA and earned a degree in "Electrical Engineering". What was unpredictable was the boy's further development and his acquisition of a doctoral degree.

The little boy has now grown up but still "grows old always learning many things". To earn his "daily bread" he creates strings of binary digits. In simpler words, he designs and builds computer applications.

In his free time you are very likely to find him out in nature walking, cycling and making earnest efforts to convince the animals, trees and plants of the forest of his talent in music and, lately, in humour too. Given that none of the above has expressed a negative opinion, the possibility that he is untalented cannot be confirmed. That is why the effort continues.

Vasilis Grigoriadis

Vasilis Grigoriadis studied media technology in Southampton, England, and holds a master's degree in telecommunications from the University of Bristol, England. He has always been fascinated by mystery, which is why his scientific hobbies are focused there too (theoretical physics, astronomy, brain-science). He works as an IT and network technician at AB Vasilopoulos. In his spare time he is involved in: music, theatre, video directing and science communication (winner of Famelab international 2010).

Stavros Dimitrakoudis

Stavros Dimitrakoudis may not be important enough to refer to himself in the third person, but he does it anyway. He is an astrophysicist of dual class, since he studies both the behaviour of particles in distant galaxies and the behaviour of waves around the Earth. He likes to paint and to write silly science-fiction stories. Before leaving for Canada he had a leading role in the troupe's theatre performances.

Ermis Zacharopoulos

Ermis Zacharopoulos: that's me and I'm a computer scientist. Since I was little I talked non-stop, even before I learned words I was mumbling nonsense. That never stopped, but luckily for the people who know me I found various outlets so I don't wear them out. I've passed through the Hellenic Parliament's Youth Parliament, the Famelab final (this year I also won first prize), the AUEB Theatre Group, the Athens Science Festival, Pint of Science and the Athens Digital Arts Festival, always talking non-stop. Luckily I have robotaki.gr to say it all there when everyone is finally tired. I was once an athlete and a fencer but then I tore my cruciate ligaments – because who needs them. I love technology and evolution, I'm always taking notes, I photoshop to relax, and I learned English playing Pokemon on the Gameboy. Since 2018 I've been a member of Science Reactors. This year I won the famelab competition organised by the British Council and represented Greece at the corresponding international competition in Cheltenham, England.

Makis Zoidakis

The biochemist Makis Zoidakis studied Biochemistry and brewing in Belgium. He did his doctorate in Enzymology at UCLA and had the honour of having his diploma signed by Arnold Schwarzenegger (governor of California in 2004), on whose films he was raised. Afterwards he tried to make a career in Hollywood but didn't have Arnold's qualifications, so he ended up a professor of Biochemistry at UCLA. He returned to Greece out of idealism and madness. He studies proteins at the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, and when he gets a day pass from the Foundation he takes part in Science Reactors events.

Pavlos Isaris

My name is Pavlos Isaris and I spend most of my day in front of many screens, creating technological tools that help my colleagues at SciFY.

I studied Computer Science and I love the disappointment I see on people's faces when I tell them.

Beyond pretending to be a serious programmer — which, let's be honest, nobody quite understands what I do — I like reading books on the most bizarre subjects that will satisfy the curious little kid inside me.

My favourite phrase is "Yes, but why [the weird question follows here]?".

What gives me joy in this vain world is travelling, and telling stories but also very cold jokes, which are followed by a brief period of internal processing... I try to find new interests often, perhaps with the ultimate goal of testing the nerves of those around me…

Karamolegkou Antonia

My name is Karamolegkou Antonia and I have a degree in Linguistics. Computers, though, I adored from a young age. I started Data Science and Programming courses without any difficulty. And a year ago I left for a master's in Sweden. A great love of mine is also talking a lot, and I like telling plenty of jokes too (most of them are cold, though). I never like standing still; I'll always be reading something new to keep myself busy. I have a soft spot for the science reactors, as they promote science and communication. Writing this text, a lot of rhyming piled up, but I don't like monotony.

Athanasios Koustenis

I wish to be called Athanasios Koustenis. I have just completed my studies MSc Entrepreneurship (ALBA). I have studied Biochemistry & Molecular Life Sciences Research (BSc & MSc, King’s College London), Life Science Informatics (MSc, University of Patras) and most importantly Cocktail !!! (Bar Academy). I am passionate about science communication (I do it to impress women) and I am a member of Science Reactors, I was one even before they found their name : P . My mantra: Greece is changing through Science, Art & Entrepreneurship with humour, hard work & optimism !

Panagiota Di Costanzo

I am Panagiota Di Costanzo and I am a biologist, something I dreamed of becoming since I was little but I still haven't believed that I actually managed it (Impostor syndrome, enters the chat). Of course, biology alone wasn't enough for me — no, I had to make it even harder and decide to take on the most complex organ of the body: the brain. That's why I'm still battling to finish my master's in Neurosciences at NKUA.

Together with my fellow students from the master's, we created Neuroholics, a volunteer science communication team, which has now grown into something very important to me. My goal is to raise public awareness about neurological and mental illnesses, as well as to fight the stigma that accompanies them. Although socialising isn't my strong point, there is a simple way to get me talking non-stop — ask me about the brain! It doesn't matter if I don't even know you, get ready for a spontaneous lecture that may last longer than a Star Wars marathon

Dimitris Makris

Dimitris Makris is a professor of Management and Innovation and a PhD candidate in Management of Innovation at the Athens University of Economics and Business. He studied Philosophy and Economics at the London School of Economics, where he continued with postgraduate studies in Management. He worked in Marketing at Unilever and then studied at the Interactive Telecommunications Program of New York University.

Georgia Megariti

Maria Memou

Maria Memou, like a latter-day Indiana Jones, wanting to satisfy her curiosity about the past — or rather to express her weakness for vintage — studied history & archaeology. Unable to resist her travelling and sociable nature, she left education behind and took to the mountains and the seas, working as a tour guide and tour leader. She is also studying Cinematography. The Science Reactors discovered her when she decided to fight her personal battle with the challenge of exposure to a broad audience and to express her comedic side by taking part, as a guest, in the show of a science reactor friend, and somehow she decided to stay.

Nikos Papadimitriou

Nikos Papadimitriou studied chemical engineering at NTUA, holds a master's in energy production, a doctorate in materials technology and works at the "Demokritos" research centre. He is involved in science communication because he believes that science is the simplest, most everyday thing (so to speak...). As a member of Science Reactors he tries to convince people that science... is a lot of fun! He likes running and good food (really, can those two go together?).

Chrysanthi Saliagkopoulou

My name is Chrysanthi Saliagkopoulou. Not Chrysa, not Anthi. Chrysanthi! and I am a Biologist. At least that's what the degree says. I say I'm just curious... Very curious! About how the world works. So Biology is like a teenager! Right in the middle of its madness! It is constantly questioned and it questions intensely... Sometimes even itself! That's why you never get bored with it! It always finds a way to surprise you!

Konstantinos Papadimitriou

Konstantinos Papadimitriou is a graduate of the School of Physical Education and Sport Science at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, holds a master's in coaching and is currently a PhD candidate there. He is also a swimming coach at ARIS Thessaloniki and a coaching instructor at IEK PASTER. He is crazy about research and about alternative ways of spreading it. When he relaxes, you'll find him training in some pool.

Thomas Pappas

Thomas Pappas studied Mathematics in Athens and is battling to finish his master's in Computer Science. He would say he's a computer scientist too, but since he believes everything is mathematics, that's superfluous. Although he has identified with all the stereotypes shown in "The Big Bang Theory" (they're all true), by taking many trips and meeting different people he discovered that he likes talking in front of an audience and either explaining complicated topics in a simple way or debunking myths and pseudoscience. Since childhood he could memorize every joke he heard (good or bad) and at every opportunity he throws one in to bore... er, to make others laugh. Having many interests, from music to comics (we said it, the stereotypes are all true), he found Science Reactors where he saw that he can combine all of the above.

Alexandros Sourtzis

The Spatial Planner-Urban Planner Alexandros Sourtzis decided to go to the Polytechnic so that he could comfortably deliver speeches to his fellow students in the lecture halls, criticizing everyone and everything. As a student he was a combative unionist, editor of a student newspaper and a stormy orator, which hardly kept him undistracted from studying Geodesy and Statics.

The uncompromising nature of his character then turned him to freelancing, while for several years he was a distinguished member of Toastmasters (a rhetoric school). His mania for giving lectures never left him, so he was forced to continue for a PhD in Architecture at NTUA, dizzying the poor students during his Adjunct Teaching Work with PowerPoints, theories and other things he himself thought were interesting.

To their bad luck, Science Reactors discovered him at a FameLab competition, and from then on their lives became, if not better, certainly more talkative.

He is a fencer, an Argentine tango dancer and a blogger, combining the elegance of dance and the charm of writing with the violent piercingness of a Gladiator. A fierce opponent of pseudoscience, he never misses a chance to lash out at astrology, superstitions and the sorry lot of obscurantism, since he probably considers himself something like Prometheus holding a torch with the light of scientific knowledge.

Polyxeni Spiliopoulou

Polyxeni Spiliopoulou is a graduate of the School of Physical Education and Sport Science of NKUA. She is a ski instructor so she can maintain her sun tan from the winter sun too, but mainly to teach young and old to "drive" safely, not with a steering wheel, but with skis. But since in Greece there isn't always snow, she decided to do a master's in coaching, wanting to learn what exercise does to the muscles …rain or shine! To lift her mood when it's foggy she plays the flute, and in her free time she does freehand drawing. Lately she's been venturing onto the paths of science communication, and if she doesn't get lost in them, she'll try to make our lives more enjoyable and fun!.

Paris Frantzis

Paris Frantzis: From computer science to the improvisation stage (and somewhere in between)!

Paris, although he loved Biology, graduated in Computer Science from Kapodistrian, believing that soon he would be swimming in offers and money (or at least they'd be begging him for work!). Life, however, had other plans. After his military service, he felt it was time to try something far from algorithms, finding refuge in theatre. A theatre workshop changed his way of thinking forever. Now his actions will have not only mathematical logic, but also… theatrical exaggeration! He will never be the classic computer scientist!

The magic of the stage led him into the world of comic improvisation, where for over ten years he has been creating scenes and characters, armed with imagination and acceptance. He followed a film workshop and took part in short and feature-length films, although he soon realized that screenwriting isn't his strong suit – he prefers to act! After the lockdown, he tried Stand-Up Comedy, enjoying sharing stories (or inventing them).

At the same time, his love of travel led him to create travel videos, combining his creativity with his editing skills.

Paris keeps evolving, although the relentless pursuit of perfection often makes him wonder if it all fits into one life. Computer Science, Theatre, Improvisation, Stand-Up Comedy, TV appearances and Video Editing – a lot and nothing at the same time, but always with passion and humour!

Christina-Anthi Charisidou

Christina-Anthi Charisidou, originally from Alexandroupoli, graduated with honours from the Department of Primary Education of Democritus University of Thrace and then pursued postgraduate studies in Music Education in formal and informal settings at the University of Athens.

She is a skilled player of the Thracian lyra, while she is studying at the Department of Music Studies of Ioannina and holds advanced theory qualifications in European music (Counterpoint, Harmony).

She has worked as an Erasmus placement trainee in the Greek Language Departments of Paris, as a primary school teacher in A' Athens and in Megisti, while she has experience in formal and non-formal education and creative activity settings. Her research publications concern music education and museum education.

Anna Christodoulou

Anna Christodoulou studied Physics in Athens, has been recognised for her science communication work and works as Programmes and Partnerships Manager at the University of Westminster in London. She has read each of the seven Harry Potter books seven times, is crazy about (biodegradable) glitter, and battles daily to make out words through the foggy Essex accent of the place where she lives. She was one of the core/founding members of Science Reactors and the writer of the scripts for both theatre shows. She has lived and worked in England since 2016

Takis Lazos

Takis Lazos is a physicist. He used to be artificial but that's all in the past. He is a teacher and head of the Laboratory Centre for Natural Sciences in Ilioupoli, whatever that may be. He has a particular soft spot for old scientific instruments and modern school experiments. He was a member of the Science Reactors team from 2014 to 2018.

Nadia Moutsouroufi

Nadia Moutsouroufi: A heretic. A physicist and musician in every universe. She has a need for sky. Nadia received her Master's Degree in Astrophysics – Astronomy – Mechanics from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, building an index of magnetospheric deformation with application to Saturn's magnetosphere using long-term measurements from the Cassini spacecraft.

She is active in the communication and dissemination of space and planetary science as a member of the SpaceGates team, and moreover coordinates and participates in many public presentations and events for the spread of Astrophysics and Space Science, among other things through music. She has collaborated with various organizations such as the Onassis Foundation Library and has carried out educational workshops at various events (Athens Science Festival, Researcher's Night, World Space Week). She is the editor of the SpaceGates blog (http://spacegates.wordpress.com)