Mrs. Klytaimnistra Katsara | Microplastics | Best Researcher Award 

Mrs. Klytaimnistra Katsara, IESL-FORTH, Greece

Klytaimnistra Katsara is a Greek researcher with a strong interdisciplinary background in Materials Science, Chemistry, and Spectroscopy. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science and Technology and an M.Sc. in Chemistry with a focus on Biochemistry, both from the University of Crete. Currently a Ph.D. candidate at the Department of Agriculture of the Hellenic Mediterranean University, she specializes in the application of Raman and ATR spectroscopy to biological and inorganic materials. Her research spans microplastics migration in food and packaging, biomolecular analysis, and environmental chemistry. Klytaimnistra has contributed to several European research projects, including “PANTHEON” (H2020-MSCA-RISE) and “NanoBioPack,” working across institutions such as IESL-FORTH and IMBB-FORTH. She has hands-on experience with advanced spectroscopic techniques (Raman, FT-IR, UV/VIS), GC-MS for nanoplastics detection, and environmental testing for water and food safety. Her passion lies in combining analytical chemistry and materials science to address contemporary issues in health, food safety, and the environment.

Professional Profile:

ORCID

🏆 Summary of Suitability for the Best Researcher Award 

Klytaimnistra Katsara is highly deserving of the Best Researcher Award due to her exceptional academic background, significant research contributions, and strong interdisciplinary approach. Her work spans materials science, chemistry, and spectroscopy, with a focus on biomaterials, microplastics, and biochemistry, making her a key innovator in the field.

Education 📚

• M.Sc. in Biochemistry, Chemistry Department
  University of Crete (03/2019)

  • Dissertation: “Study of lymphoma cell lines before and after Nutlin-3a induced wild type (wt) p53-activation by Raman spectroscopy”

  • GPA: 8.17 – “Very Good”

  • Supervisor: Prof. D. Ghanotakis

• Bachelor in Materials Science and Technology
  University of Crete (11/2016)

  • Thesis: “A study of self-organization of porphyrins, linked with the diphenylalanine peptide”

  • GPA: 7.74 – “Very Good”

  • Supervisor: Prof. Anna Mitraki

• Music Diploma in Piano 🎹
  Conservatory “Music Horizons” of Kostas Gaetanos, Athens, Greece (07/2016)

Work Experience 💼

• Specialized Technician Scientist
  PPM Group, IESL-FORTH (George Kenanakis Lab) (01/2022 – Present)

  • Conducts Raman/ATR measurements

  • Works on the “NanoBioPack” program (01/02/2022 – 31/04/2023)

• PhD Candidate
  Department of Agriculture, Hellenic Mediterranean University (30/11/2021 – Present)

• Active Member
  BIONDT LAB, IMBB, FORTH

  • Focus on non-destructive testing of biomaterials
    Website

• Research Assistant – Laboratory Technician
  European Program H2020-MSCA-RISE-2019, “PANTHEON”, IMBB (01/08/2020 – 31/07/2021)

  • Experimental Raman, FT-IR, and UV/VIS spectroscopy of biological materials

  • Secondment to “Signinum” in Portugal

• Research Assistant – Laboratory Technician
  NFFA-Europe, IESL (01/2020 – 08/2020)

  • Conducted spectroscopy of biological materials

• Internship – Laboratory Assistant
  DODECA LABS IKE, Rhodes, Greece (03/07/2019 – 06/09/2019)

  • Assisted in chemical and microbiological analyses

• Lab Member
  Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB), FORTH (01/2018 – 03/2019)

  • Contributed to molecular biology research

• Laboratory Assistant
  University of Crete, Biochemistry and Analytical Chemistry Labs (09/2017 – 05/2018)

  • Assisted in UV/Visible spectrophotometry experiments

Achievements 🏆

• Successfully completed a M.Sc. in Chemistry with a focus on biochemistry and Raman spectroscopy.

• Contributed to interdisciplinary research projects in Raman and ATR spectroscopy, applied to food, water, and microplastics analysis.

• Played an instrumental role in the PANTHEON project under the H2020-MSCA-RISE-2019 program.

Awards & Honors 🎖

• Awarded “Very Good” GPA for M.Sc. dissertation on lymphoma cell lines analysis.

• Recognized for excellence in experimental work on Raman spectroscopy in multiple international research programs.

Publication Top Notes: