Athena Progiou

General Director & Leading Environmental Engineering Expert

Athens, GR.

About

Highly accomplished General Director and environmental engineering expert with over 25 years of experience in atmospheric physics, climate change, and environmental management. Dr. Progiou leads strategic initiatives, coordinates complex European projects, and provides critical scientific consulting to governmental bodies, leveraging extensive research and over 50 peer-reviewed publications to drive impactful policy development and sustainable solutions.

Work

Academy of Athens

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Scientific Associate, Research Centre for Atmospheric Physics and Climatology

Athens, Attica, Greece

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Summary

Appointed as Scientific Associate in the Research Centre for Atmospheric Physics and Climatology since April 2023, contributing advanced research and expertise to critical environmental studies.

Highlights

Engaged in cutting-edge research within atmospheric physics and climatology, focusing on climate change and air pollution dynamics.

Contributed to ongoing scientific projects and initiatives, leveraging specialized knowledge in environmental science for impactful outcomes.

National Technical University of Athens (NTUA)

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Senior Researcher & Technical Consultant (formerly Principal Researcher)

Athens, Attica, Greece

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Summary

Served as a Principal Researcher, Senior Researcher, and Technical Consultant at NTUA since 2004, providing expert scientific leadership and strategic environmental consulting to the Hellenic Ministry of Environment and Energy, focusing on climate change and air quality regulations.

Highlights

Provided scientific leadership for the transportation sector, overseeing GHG emissions calculations, projections, mitigation actions, and policy reporting under UN, Kyoto Protocol, and EU regulations.

Managed comprehensive air pollution inventory and projection initiatives under the NEC Directive (2016/2284/EC) and LRTAP convention, ensuring national compliance and strategic planning.

Authored national reports (NIR, IIR, National Communication, Biennial reports) as the scientific lead, contributing to Greece's international environmental commitments.

Conducted extensive research and technical consulting on environmental issues, including air quality modeling and climate change mitigation strategies, impacting national policy and project implementation.

AXON ENVIRO-GROUP Ltd.

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General Director and Legal Representative

Athens, Attica, Greece

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Summary

As General Director and Legal Representative since 1997, Dr. Athena Progiou has strategically led a prominent environmental consulting firm, overseeing comprehensive operations, legal compliance, and a diverse portfolio of national and European environmental and climate change projects.

Highlights

Directed strategic operations and provided legal representation for AXON ENVIRO-GROUP Ltd. since 1997, ensuring compliance and driving business growth within the environmental sector.

Coordinated the European project 'NanoEXPLORE' (2018-2022), an integrated approach for exposure and health effects monitoring of engineered nanomaterials in workplaces and urban areas.

Actively participated in over 100 national and European projects focused on atmospheric pollution and climate change, leveraging deep expertise to achieve environmental objectives.

Served as an EU evaluator for the 7th Framework Programme and Horizon Programme, and as a reviewer for scientific journals, contributing to high-level scientific and policy assessment.

Authored over 50 publications in peer-reviewed journals and conferences, significantly contributing to the scientific understanding of environmental engineering and atmospheric physics.

Greek Ministry of the Environment, Planning, and Public Works

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Consultant & Project Director (Multiple Projects)

Athens, Attica, Greece

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Summary

Directed and consulted on multiple high-impact national projects for the Greek Ministry of the Environment, Planning, and Public Works, driving policy development and strategic environmental initiatives across Greece from 1997 to 2015.

Highlights

Led the development and implementation of an 'Integrated System for the Environmental Management of Transport' (1997-2000), enhancing national environmental oversight.

Directed the 'Strategic Plan of the Athens Municipality for Climate Change Mitigation,' contributing to urban environmental resilience (2007-2012).

Managed the 'Accreditation of the National Intercalibration Laboratory for Air Pollution' (2012-2015), significantly improving national air quality monitoring standards.

Oversaw 'Mapping of Atmospheric Pollution in Greece' (2014-2015), involving air pollutant measurements, chemical analyses, and 3-D atmospheric modeling.

Served as Technical Consultant for the North Road Corridor of Crete (2007-2012), providing environmental expertise for major infrastructure projects.

Education

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (A.U.Th.)

Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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PhD Environmental Engineering

Courses

Thesis: “Development of a Three-Layer Photochemical Dispersion Model for the Calculation of the Formation of Photochemical Smog"

Université de Paris VII

Paris, Île-de-France, France
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D.E.A. Atmospheric Chemistry and Environmental Physics

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (A.U.Th.)

Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Diploma Physics

Publications

Projected heat-stress in sheep and cattle in Greece under future climate change scenarios

Agriculture

Co-authored a publication forecasting heat-stress impacts on livestock under climate change scenarios in Greece, contributing to agricultural resilience strategies.

Air Quality Benefits of Ship Electrification: A Modeling Case Study for Saronic Gulf, Greece

Environmental and Earth Sciences Proceedings

Contributed to a modeling case study assessing the air quality benefits of ship electrification in the Saronic Gulf, Greece, highlighting sustainable maritime practices.

Investigating the Role of Organic Aerosol Schemes in the Simulation of Atmospheric Particulate Matter in a Large Mediterranean Urban Agglomeration

Sustainability

Co-authored research investigating the impact of organic aerosol schemes on particulate matter simulation in large Mediterranean urban areas, advancing atmospheric modeling accuracy.

BIOASTY: Sustainable Urban Design for Climate Resilience

Environ.Earth Sci. Proc.

Presented research on sustainable urban design strategies for climate resilience, contributing to innovative solutions for environmental challenges.

The AGRO FUTURE CLIMATE STRESS Project: Crop and livestock stress under climate change scenarios

AgEng 2024 Conference

Presented findings from the AGRO FUTURE CLIMATE STRESS Project, detailing crop and livestock vulnerability to climate change scenarios.

Languages

Greek

English

French

Certificates

Seminar in Environmental Sciences (ENVIRO 2)

Technological and Educational Institute of Thessaloniki

Skills

Environmental Engineering

Atmospheric Physics, Climate Change, Air Quality Modeling, GHG Emission Inventories, Environmental Impact Assessment, Industrial Pollution Control, Environmental Auditing.

Project Management & Leadership

Project Coordination, Strategic Planning, Stakeholder Engagement, Team Leadership, EU Framework Programmes, Risk Evaluation, Safety Management.

Research & Analysis

Scientific Research, Data Analysis, 3-D Atmospheric Models, Emission Inventories, Chemical Analyses, Peer Review, Scientific Publication.

Policy & Regulation

Environmental Policy Development, Regulatory Compliance, UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, NEC Directive, LRTAP Convention, EU Evaluation.

Specialized Expertise

Nanomaterials Monitoring, Photochemical Smog, Air Pollutant Dispersion, Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation, Urban Environmental Management.