He holds a medical degree from the University of Athens (1980) and holds a master’s degree in Endocrinology and Metabolism from the Royal Victoria Hospital, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, at McGill University (1982–1987)—Licensed to practice “Endocrinology” in Quebec, Canada (No. 91164: Professional Corporation of Medicine, Quebec, Canada).
He completed his doctoral dissertation (Ph.D.) in “Experimental Medicine,” Faculty of Graduate Studies, Department of Experimental Medicine, [THESIS: Prostate-derived mitogen(s) with selective activity for osteoblasts: implications for the pathophysiology of osteoblastic metastasis from prostate cancer (Scientific field: PHYSIOLOGY/ENDOCRINOLOGY: ENDOCRINE-ONCOLOGY)] at McGill University, Montreal, PQ, Canada [THESIS ADVISOR: Dr. David Goltzman – Calcium Research Laboratory, McGill University (1983–1987)].
His clinical training in “Endocrinology” in Canada (1997—KESY) has been recognized, and he holds a license to practice “Endocrinology” (2018—KESY).He has a 16-year academic career in Canada at McGill University (Research Fellow: 1982–1987), Sherbrooke (Research Associate: 1987–1988), and Laval [Assistant (1988–91); Associate (1991–1997); Professor (1997)], serving as Director of various Research Units/Laboratories.
In 1997, he was elected a faculty member of the Physiology Laboratory, and since 2004 he has served as Director of the Physiology Laboratory at the School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He was elected Director of the Morphological and Functional Division, School of Medicine, NKUA (2004–2006).
He holds the academic title of Adjunct Professor a) in the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, Canada, from 2008 to the present, and b) at the University of Cyprus School of Medicine, from 2014 to the present.
He has also held the title of Visiting Professor at the School of Medicine of the European University of Cyprus from 2016 to the present, and has been named a Distinguished Fellow – Distinguished Fellow of the New Westminster
Medical College in Vancouver, Canada, from 2013 to the present.He is a member of the five-member International Committee for the “Planning and Establishment of the University of Cyprus School of Medicine,” Ministry of Education of the Republic of Cyprus, from 2008 to the present. He has served as a member of the “National Council for Research” in Biomedical Sciences of the Ministry of Education (2011–2015) and a member of the Board of Directors of the “ALEXANDROS FLEMING” Research Center (2006–08 & 2010–12).He has served as a member of the independent body “National Ethics Committee for Clinical Trials in Greece” of the Ministry of Health (2013–2017).
He served as the elected president of the Hellenic Society of Physiology (HSP) for the terms 2007–2009 and 2009–2011, and has since been elected vice president (2011–2013; 2013–2015; 2015–2017; and 2017–2019).He has also been elected three times as president of the Association of Medical Professors of the University of Athens (EKIPA) for the terms 2009–2011; 2011–2013, and 2013–2015, and was named Honorary President of EKIPA (2015). He is responsible for teaching Human Physiology (2 semesters—Winter Physiology & Spring Physiology) in the undergraduate program of the School of Medicine at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) and in the Departments of Dentistry, Nursing, and Pharmacy at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA). He has consistently served on committees for the “reformation of the undergraduate and graduate programs” at the School of Medicine. He is also the founder and director of the elective course “Seminars in Clinical Physiology” and the optional practicum “Applied Physiology: Clinical Skills,” both of which have been enthusiastically received by students in the School of Medicine.He is the founder and Director/Scientific Coordinator of the highly successful Master’s Program in “Molecular & Applied Physiology” at the School of Medicine.He serves as an evaluator for national committees assessing research programs, such as the State Scholarships Foundation (IKY) and the national evaluation committees of the Ministry of Education for the THALIS, HERACLITUS, and PENED programs.
He also serves on review committees for international research programs
at international institutions such as the UK Cancer Research Council, MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF CANADA, DUTCH CANCER SOCIETY, ROMANIAN RESEARCH COUNCIL, and ITALIAN RESEARCH COUNCIL.
He has received numerous scientific distinctions in Basic and Translational Research (fellowships and awards) both abroad and in Greece, including: Fellow of the Medical Research Council of Canada (Medical Research Council of Canada; 1984–1988); the “Young Investigator Award” from the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (1985)—presented by the President of the United States (the late) Ronald Reagan); the Scholar Award from the Quebec Health Research Fund (Fonds de la Recherche en Santé du Québec—FRSQ; 1989–1992 & 1993–1996), the distinction of “Senior Member” of the European Association of Medical Experts (2010), the Research Award from the Academy of Athens (2011) for the paper published in the scientific journal *Molecular Medicine* titled “Insulin-like growth factor 1 Ec expression in eutopic and ectopic endometrium”; the distinction of being awarded the title of “Distinguished Fellow” by New Westminster Medical College, Vancouver, Canada (2013); and the “Award for Excellence in University Teaching” in memory of “V. Xanthopoulos – S. Pneumatikos” from the “Foundation for Research and Technology (FORTH)” of the University of Crete—presented by His Excellency the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. P. Pavlopoulos.
As a physician, he has been awarded the “Volunteerism Award” by the Ministry of Health (2005—presented by His Excellency the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Stefanos) for his organization of and participation in programs “Early Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer in Eastern Mani” (1998–), which have benefited dozens of citizens suffering from the disease.
He has also been honored as a “Distinguished Laconian” for his efforts, which succeeded in establishing a partnership between the “Areopolis Health Center” and the Medical School, University of Athens (2011), and was named an Honorary Citizen of the Municipality of Eastern Mani (2013).
