Dr. Despoina Tounta | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.

Despoina D. Tounta is a Doctoral Candidate at the Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. With a strong background in environmental science, disaster management, and public health, her research focuses on the interplay between climate change, pandemics, and zoonotic diseases. She has presented her work at international conferences and published in renowned scientific journals.

Profile

Scopus

Orcid

🎓 Education

Despoina D. Tounta holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Geology and Geoenvironment from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, which she earned in 1991. Building on her expertise in environmental sciences, she pursued a Master’s Degree in Environmental, Disaster, and Crisis Management Strategies at the same institution, graduating in 2017. Currently, she is a Ph.D. candidate at the Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, where her research focuses on the impact of climate change and pandemics from zoonotic diseases. Her doctoral thesis, titled “Climate Change and Pandemics from Zoonoses: Emerging Risks for Public Health and Strategies for Prevention in the Cyclades Island Complex,” explores the intersection of environmental changes and public health risks, with an emphasis on developing policies for disaster preparedness and mitigation.

💼 Experience

Despoina D. Tounta has actively contributed to environmental research and disaster management through training, conferences, and presentations. In 1993, she completed specialized training in Remote Sensing at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, focusing on natural environment protection. Her expertise in disaster resilience led her to present at SafeGreece 2017 (SafeAthens), where she discussed seismic risk prevention in public buildings. In 2021, she presented her research at the International CEST Conference, exploring the impact of weather conditions on COVID-19 spread. Continuing her work on environmental health, she spoke at the Climate Crisis Conference in 2022, analyzing the link between air pollution and COVID-19 mortality. Most recently, in 2023, she participated in COMECAP 2023, where she examined the association between solar irradiance, pollution, and COVID-19 cases in Athens, further reinforcing her role in climate and public health research.

🔬 Research Interests

🌍 Climate Change & Public Health – Investigating the link between environmental factors and zoonotic disease outbreaks.

🦠 Epidemics & Pandemics – Studying the spread of infectious diseases and their correlation with weather and pollution.

🏢 Seismic Risk Prevention – Assessing non-structural vulnerability in public buildings.

📡 Remote Sensing & Environmental Monitoring – Applying geospatial tools to analyze climate-related health risks.

🏆 Awards & Recognitions

Speaker & Contributor at multiple international conferences on environmental hazards, pandemics, and disaster management.

Recognized Researcher for work on COVID-19, climate change, and public health strategies.

📚 Publications

Human Activities and Zoonotic Epidemics: A Two-Way Relationship – The Case of the COVID-19 Pandemic

📌 Authors: Tounta, D.D.; Nastos, P.T.; Tesseromatis, C.
📌 Journal: Global Sustainability (2022)
📌 Volume: 5, e19
📌 Citations: 3

Could Saliva Play a Role in Controlling the COVID-19 Pandemic?

📌 Authors: Papadopoulou, A.; Tounta, D.; Tesseromatis, C.
📌 Journal: Stomatologija

Ms. Florence Acha | Super hydrophobic Coatings | Best Researcher Award

University of Massachusetts Lowell, United States.

Florence Nkemamaka Acha is a dedicated researcher in polymer engineering, with expertise in biomaterials, nanotechnology, and composites. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Plastics Engineering at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, she has an impressive academic track record and multiple research publications. Florence has significant teaching, research, and industrial experience, complemented by numerous leadership and volunteer roles. She has received several prestigious awards for her academic excellence and leadership contributions.

Profile

Orcid

Google Scholar

Education 🎓

Florence Nkemamaka Acha is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Plastics Engineering at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, where she is working under the supervision of Prof. Joey Mead on developing PFAS-free superhydrophobic coatings for textile applications. She holds a Master of Engineering in Plastics Engineering with honors from the same institution, with an impressive GPA of 3.917/4.0, and is expected to complete her degree in February 2025. Florence earned her Bachelor of Engineering in Polymer and Textile Engineering with first-class honors from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria, in 2019, achieving a stellar GPA of 4.67/5.0. Her undergraduate thesis focused on evaluating the physical and end-use properties of alkyd paints using local materials as extenders. Prior to her university studies, she completed her secondary education at Elaihor Grammar School, Egweaholor-Isi, Edo State, Nigeria, in 2013.

Experience 💼

Florence Nkemamaka Acha has built a strong foundation in academic research and teaching through her roles at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. She has been a Research Assistant since May 2023, working on innovative projects in plastics engineering, and served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant from August 2023 to August 2024, assisting in the delivery of key engineering courses.

In addition to her academic roles, Florence gained valuable industry experience during her production internship at Obino Industrial Company Limited in Nigeria. She also worked as a Research Assistant at Igwe Isaac Laboratory from 2019 to 2023 and as a Business Development Officer at Jimcol Resources Nig. Ltd., where she developed her business and technical expertise. This diverse experience equips her with both technical and leadership skills essential for addressing complex engineering challenges.

Research Interests 🤾‍♀️

Florence’s research focuses on:

Polymer Engineering

Polymer Science

Composites

Biomaterials

Material Science

Polymer Chemistry

Nanotechnology

Awards and Honors 🏆

Best Graduating Student Award, Polymer and Textile Engineering, FUTO (2019)

IBE MIT Alumni Award for Best Graduating Student, Polymer and Textile Engineering, FUTO (2019)

Educational Support Award, HillCity Foundation, Nigeria (2016-2019)

Delta State Bursary Scholarship, Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board (2015-2019)

Award of Excellence for Service and Leadership, Holiness Campus Fellowship, FUTO (2019)

Publications Top Notes 📝

Scheff T.; Acha, F.; Diaz Armas N.; Mead J.L.; Zhang, J. (2024). Tuning Wetting Properties Through Surface Geometry in the Cassie-Baxter State. Biomimetics, 2025, 10, 20.

Isaac O. Igwe, Florence N. Acha, et al. (2021). Utilization of Granite Quarry Dust Extender in Formulating Anti-Corrosive Paints for the Protection of Steel. Australian Journal of Science and Technology, 5(3), 631-637.

Book Chapter: Florence N. Acha (2024). Cleaning of Paints. In: Isaac O. Igwe (ed.). The Science and Technology of Paints. Submitted for publication.

Isaac O. Igwe, Florence N. Acha, Christian O. Anyaegbu, et al. (2020). Formulation of Anti-Corrosive Alkyd Paints Based on Umuahia Clay Extender. SSRG International Journal of Polymer and Textile Engineering, 7(2), 25-30.

Ifeoluwa Sarah Fesojaye, Favour Dada, Florence N. Acha (2023). Innovative Applications of Nanomaterials in Semiconductor Manufacturing: Advancing Efficiency and Performance for Next-Generation Technologies.