Contributors

Dr. George Suciu (male)

is a senior researcher 3rd degree, with more than 20 years of experience in R&D projects. He graduated from the Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Information Technology at the University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest, where he also received his M.Sc. He holds a PhD in cloud communications from the same university in collaboration with the Department of Electronic Systems from the Aalborg University in Denmark. Also, he holds a MBA in Informatics Project Management and IPR from the Faculty of Cybernetics, Statistics and Economic Informatics of the Academy of Economic Studies Bucharest, and currently, his post-doc research work is focused on the field of cloud communications, blockchain, cyber-physical quantum security, AI (ML/DL/FL) for big data and IoT/M2M. George has experience as coordinator and WP leader for over 40 R&D projects (FP7, H2020, Eureka / Eurostars, etc.) and is involved currently in over 10 international and 5 national projects. He is the author or co-author of over 200 journal articles and scientific papers presented at various international conferences, holding over 10 patents. He is R&D and Innovation Manager at BEIA Consult International since 2008, having previously worked as ICT Solutions Manager since 1998.

Eng. Ioana Petre (female)

is a communication research engineer at BEIA Consult International since 2017. She graduated from Politehnica University of Bucharest, Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Information Technology, specialization Applied Electronics and Information Engineering, and she has a background of 4 years in the R&D domain. She contributed to several R&D projects, namely 3DSafeGuard, ALADIN, VLC, ODSI, SAFECARE, etc. On these projects she contributed to elaborating documentations and experimental results. She is also involved in different project proposals on safety, security and reliability, prevention of early warning disasters, cloud technologies, smart mobility, smart city, etc.

Lucian-Alexandru Necula (male)

has extensive experience in business analysis and project management within R&D and investment projects. He has a master degree in economics within the Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Management of SMEs specialization. He participated in the substantiation and implementation of over 20 R&D and investment projects.

Eng. Cornelia Alexandru (female)

works as a Communications Specialist at BEIA Consult International. She graduated from University Politehnica of Bucharest – Faculty of Tool Machine Building and holds a second degree in Communication. She is also a nationally certified trainer. She has extensive experience in marketing, communication, event organizing and project management. At BEIA she was involved in several European projects in the fields of Digital Transformation, IoT, FoF (Factories of the Future), smart agriculture, cultural heritage preservation, smart energy, smart health, smart mobility, etc.

Evangelos Christodoulou (male)

is retired officer of the Hellenic War Navy with the grade of Lieutenant, specialized in submarines and currently owner and co-owner of three companies, whose main objects of work deals with maritime security and the use of new digital and disruptive technologies, primarily but not exclusively in merchant shipping, and in general in the maritime environment and relevant markets. He holds an MSc in “Three-dimensional Computer Aided Graphical Technology Applications” (3D CAGTA) from the School of Computing of the Teesside University, a PgD in “Naval Artillery” from the Hellenic War Navy and has graduated from the Hellenic Naval Academy. At present he is a PhD candidate in the field of “Experimentation, shaping ideas and finding solutions in order to produce three-dimensional digital content, linear or Virtual Reality, for Dome Theatres” at the Department of Cultural Technology and Communication of the University of the Aegean.

His main goals during the past years were the following: – as Head of the 3D Graphics Department of the Foundation of the Hellenic World (FHW), for more than 13 years, was responsible for its foundation, organization, management and operation. – participated, contributed on, or created his own numerous digital productions and exhibits for movies, television, theatres, Dome Theatres, museums, cultural centers, festivals, WWW etc. as a production manager and/or 3D Graphics Artist, director, programmer, scriptwriter, editor, designer etc. His creations and productions have been temporarily or are permanently exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, Archaeological Museum of Ioannina, Altes Museum of Berlin, Archaeological Site of Olympia and other Greek Archaeological Sites, Foundation of the Hellenic World, Ars Electronica Center of Linz etc. and have been awarded and distinguished in international festivals and conferences. – for 13 years, till the end of 2016, he was Adjacent Professor in undergraduate and postgraduate studies, at the Department of Cultural Technology and Communication of the University of the Aegean, in the cognitive subjects of “3D Graphics” and “Virtual Reality” – participated in several conferences with and without judges and numerous projects subsidized by the European Union, teach in several educational organizations of the public and private sector in Greece, organized international scientific conferences and seminars as Head of Organizing Committees. He is a certified UAV pilot of the categories A1, A2,A3.

Georgios Charvalis (male)

graduated with distinction from the Department of Geography of the Harokopeio University of Athens Faculty of Environment, Geography and Applied Economics. Finished his two-year joint MSC program in “Geo-information Science and Earth Observation for Environmental Modelling and Management” in Lund University of Sweden and ITC-University of Twente, the Netherlands. He has working experience in remote sensing research projects, GPS field work campaigns, geographic database management, cadastral and thematic mapping, primarily as a remote sensing and GIS analyst. At present he is actively engaged in research of recent UAV technologies in various applications regarding the aforementioned fields. He is a certified UAV pilot of the categories A1, A2,A3.

Pavlos Panagiotopoulos (male)

is a Hellenic Navy senior officer ret'd. He is currently working with the A.S. PROTE MARITIME Ltd as a senior expert. He is skilled and experienced in certain aspects of defense and security, able to utilize transferable experience acquired through his Hellenic Navy career to private sector corporations. As a Commanding Officer of Frigate NIKIFOROS FOKAS, Pavlos Panagiotopoulos implemented a solid maritime security operation, along with many other EU war ships and maritime patrol aircraft deployed in the Gulf of Aden along Somali coastline, tasked to protect the freedom of navigation by deterring, and preventing acts of piracy and armed robbery. After receiving an Orion P3 Tactical Coordinator (TACCO) instructor course by the U.S. based Logistics Services International (LSI Inc), he has completed over than 2000 flight hours on both NATO and national maritime patrol sorties. Afterwards, as a certified P3 TACCO instructor he supervised ground and in-flight training courses to young HN officers. Pavlos Panagiotopoulos is familiar with the special requirements associated with the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programs. As Naval Attaché of Greece to Washington DC (2013-15) he worked successfully along with the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the US Navy and many US companies such as the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.

Niki Karamanli (female)

holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations and a Master's degree in Crisis and Security Management with a specialization in Intelligence and National Security from Leiden University’s Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs in the Netherlands. She has professional experience working with A.S. PROTE MARITIME LTD on EU-funded projects, such as EDF, where her focus has been on dissemination, exploitation of project results, innovation management, and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).

Ms. Karamanli has strong expertise in analysing security environments, identifying potential threats, and offering recommendations for operational security in crisis management situations. She is well-versed in incorporating security considerations into project designs and operational concepts. She is also skilled in ensuring compliance with EU regulations and international laws, particularly in the areas of security, defence, and crisis management.

In terms of dissemination and communication strategies, Ms. Karamanli is adept at developing and implementing plans that enhance project visibility and effectively engage diverse stakeholders to foster collaboration and promote project benefits. She is also capable of identifying opportunities for the commercialization or practical application of project results. Additionally, she is skilled background in creating IPR management frameworks to safeguard and strategically utilize innovations and technologies.