Clinical researchers

Dr. Christos P. Tsametis was born in Grevena, Greece in 1970 and graduated with Honors from the Medical School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh) in 1993. He has acquired the specialty of “Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism” at the relevant Department of “PANAGIA” General Hospital in Thessaloniki. In 2004, having a scholarship from the Greek State, he worked as a clinical and research fellow in Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism (OCDEM) at Churchill Hospital, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, UK. He obtained his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree from AUTh in 2013, studying the dynamics of Antimüllerian hormone in subfertile men. In 2015, after completing the appropriate training, he became the first Clinical Andrologist in Greece certified by the European Academy of Andrology. Currently, he works in private practice in Thessaloniki and serves as a clinical scientific collaborator at the Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, AUTh at “Papageorgiou” General Hospital.

Gesthimani Mintziori received her Medical Degree (2004) from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Medical School (AUTh) and immediately afterward she received her M.Sc. Degree (Medical Research Methodology, AUTh; 2006). In 2014 she completed her PhD with distinction (AUTh).

Gesthimani Mintziori has written many peer-reviewed articles, she is an Associate Editor in the journal Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Case Reports and a member of the editorial board and a Review Editor in many peer-reviewed journals in the fields of endocrinology and reproduction. She participates as a tutor at the pre- and post-graduate curriculum of the AUTh Medical School. She is now working as a Post-Doc Researcher as well as a Clinical Endocrinologist.

Gesthimani Mintziori has received national and international awards for her scientific work. She has been actively involved in the field of Endocrinology in Europe having worked in various committees of the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE), including the executive board, and she was a founding member and co-Chair of the European Young Endocrine Scientists (EYES).

Dr. Evangelia Kintiraki was born in Thessaloniki, Greece. She studied Μedicine and graduated from the Democritus University of Thrace in 2006. She acquired the specialty of Endocrinology in 2014 after a 4-year training at “Agios Pavlos” General Hospital and “Theagenio” Anticancer Hospital. She received her Master of Science (MSc) in 2011 and her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in 2020 from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

She has published several full papers in peer-review international journals and participated in the writing of book chapters. Her main research interests include Reproductive Endocrinology, endocrine complications of pregnancy, and metabolic diseases. She is in private practice since 2015.

Dr. Panagiotis G. Anagnostis has completed his basic medical training (MD) (2002) and received his PhD from the Medical School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), Greece (2013). He has received an MSc degree from the Open University of Cyprus (2016). He has acquired the specialty of “Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism” at the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes of Hippokration Hospital of Thessaloniki, Greece) (2012). Having had a scholarship from the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE; International Endocrine Scholarship Program, 2013), he completed his post-doctoral training at the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, in St. Mary’s Hospital, Imperial College of London, UK, and at menopause clinics in Queen Charlotte and Chelsea & Westminster Hospitals (2014). He is also a fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health (FRSPH) since the 30th of May 2018. He has received a postgraduate award for Distinguished Research Activity (2010, Medical School, AUTH), a grant from the Hellenic Atherosclerosis society for his post-doctoral training abroad (2014), and the 2021 Jens Sandahl Christansen Award by the ESE, for excellent clinical science. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher and clinical scientific collaborator at the Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, AUTH. He actively participates as a tutor of MSc programs in AUTH and National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He has achieved 207 publications in PubMed (6610 citations; h-index: 39; i10-index: 94), has delivered numerous lectures and presentations, and has chaired in several national and international congresses.

Dr. Kasiani Papadimitriou was born in Veria, Greece, and graduated in 2010 from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), School of Medicine (MD). She has joined the clinical and research activities of the Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology (AUTh) since 2016. She was awarded an MSc Degree in “Medical Research Methodology” (AUTh) with Honors in 2017. Currently, she is a PhD candidate (Reproductive Endocrinology Unit, AUTh) and specialist registrar in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (Korgialenio – Benakio Hospital, Hellenic Red Cross Hospital, Athens).

Her special scientific interest is Reproductive Endocrinology and her PhD research focuses on Premature Ovarian Insufficiency. She has published several articles in national and international journals and has participated in the writing of medical book chapters.

Athina Kaprara was born in Veria, Greece. She graduated in 1998 from the Medical School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (MD). She worked for 2 years at “Theagenio” Anticancer Hospital and for 4 years at “Panagia” General Hospital. During these years she was trained in the fields of general Endocrinology, diabetology, and metabolism. She acquired the specialty of Endocrinology in 2011. From 2012, she has worked as a private doctor.

In 2009 she received her Master of Science (MSc) from the Greek Open University and in 2012 her PhD degree from the Democritus University of Thrace. She has publications in peer-review journals, she participated in the writing of book chapters, she has been invited as a speaker in national and international medical congress and she has been a peer reviewer for scientific journals.

Her main research interests concern Neuroendocrinology, Metabolism, and Reproductive Endocrinology

Christina Dimopoulou was born in 1981 in Thessaloniki, Greece, and graduated in 1999 from the German School of Thessaloniki. From 1999 to 2005 she studied human medicine at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.

In 2006, she has been accepted as a scholar in the Max Planck Institute for Psychiatry in Munich, Germany. In 2008, she was awarded the doctoral degree of “Doctor of Medicine” (Dr. med.) from the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich.

She received her training in Endocrinology at the Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Clinical Chemistry at the Max Planck Institute and at the Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV of the Ludwig Maximilians University, in Munich. In January 2014, she was been acknowledged as a “Specialist in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Diabetology” and in August 2015 as a “Clinical Andrologist” by the Bavarian State Chamber of Physicians (BLÄK) after a successful exam.

She conducts significant teaching and research activity in the field of Clinical Neuroendocrinology, results of which have been published in leading German and international medical journals. Ιn 2017 she completed her Habilitation at the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich (Privatdozentin).

Dr. George Kanakis is Endocrinologist – Clinical Andrologist (EAA certified) and certified “Male genital tract and penile Sonographer”. After concluding his medical training (MD) at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the Military School of Corps Officers, he joined the Medical Service of the Hellenic Navy. He was trained in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at the National University of Athens (Prof. G. Kaltsas), where he also received his PhD degree. During this training, he has appointed a research fellowship at the University of Uppsala, in the field of Neuroendocrine Tumors (Profs. Grimelius and Öberg). Further, he was specialized in Reproductive Endocrinology-Clinical Andrology at the Training Center of the European Academy of Andrology (EAA) in Thessaloniki (Prof. D.G. Goulis) and successfully took the EAA Clinical Andrologist exams (grade “excellent”). Having a scholarship from EAA, he attended the EAA Training Center of Rome (Prof. A.M. Isidori), receiving advanced training in applied andrology and ultrasound diagnostics.

He is currently a Consultant Physician at the Department of Endocrinology of the Athens Naval and VA Hospital and the IVF Unit of the Greek Armed Forces, with a special interest in reproductive endocrinology and ultrasonography of the male genital system. He is Vice-President of the Hellenic Society of Andrology (2019 – 2021) and a member of the writing group of the “EAA Guidelines on evaluation and management of Gynecomastia”.

Evangelia Billa was born in Trikala, Greece. She graduated from the Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in 1994. She acquired the specialty of Endocrinology after appropriate training in the Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes mellitus, and Metabolism of «Helena Venizelou» Hospital. She has been working as a private doctor since 2005 in Trikala.

She was presented with a Doctorate Diploma in 2011. She acquired a license for carrying out an ultrasound examination in the field of Endocrinology in 2011 after a six-month training at the appropriate department or “G. Gennimatas General hospital”. She was certified as a Clinical Andrologist by the European Academy of Andrology in 2018. She has published articles in significant journals and has participated in the writing of book chapters. She has been a member of the administrative board of the Hellenic Society of Andrology since 2011. Her special scientific interests are Andrology and Reproductive Endocrinology.

Theodosia Zeginiadou studied Biology at the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki. After an Advanced Biochemistry course at the University of Connecticut, she went on to a Master’s of Health Science degree, from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, and a PhD degree from the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki.

From the beginning Theodosia was interested in sperm analysis and sperm function tests for the evaluation of male fertility, so she continued her training at reputable centers in the field of  Assisted Reproduction such as Bourn Hall Clinic, Cambridge UK,  Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm Sweden,  University of Saarland, Saar Germany,  Birmingham Women’s Hospital, Birmingham UK and  Skane University, Malmo, Sweden.

In 1996 she opened the first Andrology Laboratory of Thessaloniki, which operates until now as the scientific director. During these years she also wrote chapters in books, research and review papers in Greek and English, and has participated in many conferences as a speaker or chairman. She has organized numerous seminars and courses in collaboration with Universities or hospitals. She is very actively involved in training in Laboratory Andrology with i) the ESHRE Basics Semen Analysis Courses in Greece from 2004,  ii) a series of courses on Laboratory Andrology at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Athens from 2013, and iii) an eight-month-long e-learning program on Male Infertility.

Dr. Stefania Lymperi received her B.Sc. in Biology from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), completing her internship in the first IVF center in Northern Greece. The same year she was awarded the Scholarship by the State Scholarships Foundation of Greece to continue her studies at Imperial College London and receive her MSc in Human Molecular Genetics. With a parallel scholarship from Imperial College, she completed her PhD in Cell Biology. She has worked as a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, in Boston, USA. She has served as a research fellow at the National Bioethics Committee and has been awarded grants and scholarships from Greek, European and American organizations including the financing in the framework of “Support of post-doctoral researchers” (Hellenic Republic/NSRF 2007-2013). Dr. S. Lymperi is now directing her private Andrology Laboratory in Thessaloniki, where all the routine and specialized analyses for male infertility are performed. She is also teaching at postgraduate courses (MSc) at Biology and Medical School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She has many publications in peer-review journals and she has been invited as a speaker in many international congresses. She is a member of the European Academy of Andrology (ΕΑΑ) and the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE).

Dr. Dimitra A. Bogdanou was born in 1987 in Orestiada, Greece, and received her Medical Degree (MD) from the Medical School of the Aristotle University Thessaloniki after receiving scholarships of excellence during her basic medical training.

She completed her training in Endocrinology at the Department for Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical Clinic I, Faculty of Internal Medicine, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Clinic Frankfurt. In March 2018 she was acknowledged as a ¨Specialist in Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism¨ by the Hessen State Chamber of Physicians (LÄKH). In 2019 she was acknowledged as an Expert in the treatment of lipid metabolic disorders by the German Lipid League and soon after was certified as an Expert in the specialized treatment of osteoporosis and bone disorders by the Osteology Umbrella Association DVO after structured, curricular education, training, and a successful exam.

In 2015 she was awarded the doctoral degree of ¨Doctor of Medicine¨ (Dr. med.) from the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University of Frankfurt, Germany after successfully absolving her Thesis, for which she was honored with the Silvia King Prize from the German Diabetes Association (2015). For her post-doctoral research in the field of Diabetic Foot Syndrome, she was honored with the research scholarship of the German Diabetes Association (2014).

Dimitra Bogdanou has been conducting research activity in the field of Clinical Endocrinology and has published articles in certified german and international medical journals.

Ioanna Koptsi was born in Thessaloniki. After completing her basic degree in Humanities (BA Hons), she continued her specialization in Psychology in an accredited program of the British Psychological Society, at the University of East London. She also holds an MSc in Counseling and Psychology from the University of Sheffield. She then completed a Postgraduate Program in Clinical Psychotherapy at the Hellenic Institute of Psychology & Health.

At the same time, from 2014 to 2018 she was trained and collaborated with the 1st Psychiatric Department of AUTh at the “Papageorgiou” General Hospital. From 2009 to 2016, she was actively involved in volunteering in her field. Since 2013 she has been practicing in Thessaloniki, on a private basis. Her scientific interest stands in Health Psychology, where she has corresponding publications and participation in Greek and World conferences. Finally, she is a member of the British Psychological Society BPS, the Health & Care Professions Council HCPC, the Hellenic-Thessaloniki Branch of The International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy IARPP, and The International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy IARPP.

Dimitra Savvaki is was born in Thessaloniki. In 2001 she graduated from the Department of Physical Education and Sports Science of the Democritus University of Thrace. In 2005 she graduated from the Postgraduate Program “Health and Leisure” of Department of Physical Education and Sports Science of the Democritus University of Thrace. Her Master’s specialization was: “Physiological adaptations of exercise during pregnancy”. PhD candidate at the same University on the topic “Physiological responses of different types of exercise during pregnancy without complications and with Gestational Diabetes”.

Creator of Mummy to be training® (exercise in pregnancy) and Mummy training® (exercise and postpartum period & exercise mum and baby), the first of its kind exercise program that operated for 7 years with the approval of the General Secretary of Sports. Head Teacher of the education programs: “Mummy to be training®”, “Mummy training®” as well as “MP Pilates Teacher Trainer Courses” at the Fitness School MP Balatsinos.

She has participated in the Research Program EPEAEK in the groups: “Exercise and Coronary Heart Disease” and “Exercise and Diabetes” for 4 years. Participates in many international congresses, clinical seminars, fitness conferences with announcements, and as an invited speaker. She has received an award at 12ο International Congress on Physical Education, Komotini 2005.
She also participates as an invited speaker in Undergraduate Programs of the School of Physical Education and Sports Science of DUTh and in the Department of Midwifery Science of the International University of Thessaloniki as well as of the Postgraduate Program “Embryo Medicine” of the Department of Medicine of AUTH.

She has published in several scientific journals. Her special scientific interests are the effects of exercise on fertility, pregnancy, and the postpartum period.

Stergios Polyzos received his Medical Degree (MD, 1996) from the School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), and his Pedagogical and Teaching Degree (2002) from the School of Pedagogical and Technological Education of Thessaloniki. He received his M.Sc. (Medical Research Technology; 2004) and his PhD (2012) from the School of Medicine, AUTh. He completed his specialization in Endocrinology at the Endocrine Clinic of Ippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki (2008) and, since then, he has been working as an Endocrinologist at Thessaloniki. He also works as Assistant Professor of Pharmacology – Medical Research Methodology at First Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, AUTh, Greece.

He teaches Pharmacology, Molecular Pharmacology, and Clinical Pharmacology to undergraduate students of the School of Medicine (AUTh). He also contributes to the teaching of postgraduate students in “Research Methodology in Medicine and Health Sciences” and “Medical Research Methodology” of the School of Medicine (AUTh).

Stergios Polyzos has published over 350 full-length articles in peer-reviewed international medical journals. He currently serves as Associate Editor in “Metabolism” and “Hormones” and as a Reviewer for more than 80 international medical journals.

Maria Grammatikopoulou was born in Thessaloniki and graduated from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics (ATEITH) in the year 2000. The next year she completed her MSc in “Biomedical Sciences” focusing on Sports Nutrition at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. In the year 2011, she received her PhD from the School of Sports Sciences at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and, later on, she completed the MSc in “Medical Research Methodology” offered by the School of Medicine.

Stavroula A. Paschou, MD, PhD is Assistant Professor of Endocrinology at School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. She graduated with Honors (8.88/10) from the School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Greece in 2005. She obtained her PhD in Endocrinology with Honors from the same University in 2010. Then, she worked at the Department of Diabetes, St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, University of London, UK, funded by grants from the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) and the British Diabetic Twin Trust. She continued with clinical training in Endocrinology at the Hellenic Red Cross Hospital in Athens, Greece. In 2015, she was awarded the International Endocrine Scholarship by the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE) and moved to Boston, MA, USA. She completed her training in Endocrinology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Assist. Prof. Paschou has published a large number of chapters in prestigious scientific books, such as the Oxford Textbook of Endocrinology and Diabetes, and papers in prestigious scientific journals. Her author metrics can be summarized as following: publications in PubMed 137, citations 1,988, h-index 22, i10-index 48. She has presented studies, she has given invited lectures, or has chaired in many national and international congresses or webinars. She regularly serves as Faculty at the Postgraduate Education Courses of EASD and ESE. Assist. Prof. Paschou acts as a member of the editorial board or reviewer in high-impact scientific journals. She has received prestigious awards and scholarships. She is a member of the ESE Science Committee and the ESE Young Endocrinologists and Scientists (EYES) Committee. She coordinates the ESE/EYES Clinical Observership Program for the training of Young Endocrinologists in Centres of Expertise in Europe and the ESE/EYES Mentorship Program. Assist. Prof. Paschou chaired the 7th EYES Meeting in Athens, Greece in September 2019. She is Chair of the ESE Growth & Genetic Obesity COVID-19 Subgroup of the ESE COVID-19 Committee and a member of the Program Organizing Committee (POC) for the 23rd European Congress of Endocrinology, which will be held in May 2021.

Dr. Ioannis Vakalopoulos MD, PhD, Fellow of European Boards of Urology (FEBU) and Fellow of European Committee for Sexual Medicine (FECSM) is a surgeon urologist, being a full-time faculty member of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki/Greece (AUTh) since 2006 in the 1st Department of Urology of AUTh in “G. Gennimatas” General Hospital of Thessaloniki, currently in the post of Associate Professor of Urology-Andrology. He is also currently President of the Hellenic Association of Andrology and Vice President of the Urologic Association of Northern Greece.

Professor Vakalopoulos is dealing especially with Sexual Medicine and Andrology. Specifically, he is dealing with erectile dysfunction, orgasm and ejaculation disorders, disorders of sexual desire, chronic pelvic pain syndromes-chronic prostatitis, congenital penile curvatures or Peyronie’s disease, penile diseases, and microphallia. He is also dealing with male infertility, undescended testis, testicular tumors and surgical treatment of varicocele, and retrieval of spermatozoa. He has one of the largest series in Greece of penile prosthesis implantation for the treatment of refractory erectile dysfunction.

His research interest is in the field of Andrology, male incontinence, and urological cancer biology. He has presented in more than 150 Greek and International conferences and has written 40 papers in international and 20 in Greek scientific journals and decades of summaries in the records of international and Greek congresses. He used to be a trainer of the American Medical Systems company for the implantation of penile implants and artificial sphincters. He is a reviewer in 17 international peer-review scientific journals and associate editor in the peer review medical Journal “Hippokratia”