1. Where are you from and where did you grow up?

I am from Greece, I was born and raised in Athens. My parents (both of them) came from the beautiful island of Crete that I visited quite often when I was a kid and still has a special place in my heart. I went to school in Athens at Varvakio and last year I was fortunate to participate at the 30^th reunion with a number of my classmates!

2. Can you share with us one memory from your childhood that still brings a smile to your face?

When I was a kid we used to go every Easter at my mom’s small village in Crete visiting family and my grandparents. I still can close my eyes and smell the various aromas coming from all the houses and especially from my aunt’s kitchen – so delicious.

3. Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, how did you decide to follow that path? Was it something you always knew you will do?

I loved chemistry especially organic chemistry and mathematics and chemical engineering offered the combination of those subjects. I still believe that if I go back in time most probably I would pick the same one again since it offers so many career opportunities.

4. Could you elaborate on your research? Your colleagues describe you as the future in the field.

My work centers on modeling and optimization of products and processes in order to improve the overall efficiency and quality of production. In recent years I have been applying this work in the area of pharmaceutical manufacturing enabling faster, cheaper and more efficient production of drugs. I am also working on sustainable solutions for the production of fuels and chemicals working to find economic solutions for biomass conversion.

5. Recently you received the 2016 Computing in Chemical Engineering Award from the CAST Division of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). You are the seventh Greek scientist who has been given this award for the last 20 years. How did you feel once you learned you were nominated for this award?

I would like to also add that I am the first woman to ever receive this award and this to me is even more important since I feel very strongly about promoting women involvement in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Of course being the seventh Greek receiving the award is a testament of what Greeks can achieve when they are given opportunities. I was also recently received the title of distinguished professor at Rutgers University a title beyond full professor reserved for people that have illustrated that have made exceptional contributions to their disciplines. I am so thrilled and humbled to receive this honor.

6. Would you consider returning back to Greece in some point? We all know the difficulties researchers face in our country

This summer I was a recipient of the Greek Diaspora Fellowship from Stavros Niarchos Foundation that gave me the opportunity to spend sometime in Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. I was very impressed with the quality of the work and even more impressed by the quality of the people working under not ideal conditions to promote higher education and research opportunities in Greece. I would love to continue this type of collaborations and expand with other schools. I am in the process of organizing a conference this summer in collaboration with a former postdoc of mine that now is doing a fantastic job as a professor in University of Thessaly in Volos.

7. Have Greek authorities ever asked for your aide in research matters? If not, what would your advice be ?

I have participated in a number of committees for evaluation of academic units but also as part of faculty promotion committees. I am very glad to be able to offer my help.

8. What does Greece mean for you?

Greece is my home country although I have left Greece 26 years ago still feels like home, a place where I know I can return anytime and feel safe.

9. If you could address a question to all Greeks, what would you like to ask them?

If everyone would try to improve just one thing, then everything would have been so much better! Many times I have the impression when I visit that people do not care, they get tired and just quit and go on with their own life. Do not give up, this country deserves much better.