NEUROBIOSTROKE
Research team
Nikolaos Aggelousis is a Professor of Biomechanics, Director of the interdisciplinary Laboratory of Physical Education and Sports and Head of the Biomechanics sector. In the past, he served as the vice-Rector for Student and Foreign Affairs of the Democritus University of Thrace, President of the institution’s Quality Assurance Unit and Head of the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science. His research areas of interest are the biomechanics and motor control of normal and pathological movements, the structural and functional adaptations of the neuromusculoskeletal system as a result of various external stimuli (medical interventions, exercise, modifications of movement environment) and the improvement of biomechanical research methods.
Paraskevi Malliou is a Professor of Rehabilitation in sports injuries and diseases at Democritus University of Thrace. Currently is head of Physical Performance Laboratory and director of Athletic Training Sector. His research interests are strength and conditioning training, exercise physiology and exercise biochemistry. Specifically, his research interest related to strength training in various populations, performance, and physiology in team sports, exercised induced muscle damage and inflammation, obesity, and bone adaptations through the life expectancy.
Asimenia Gioftsidou is Associate Professor at the Democritus University of Thrace in Rehabilitation programs for injury and diseases emphasized in functional rehabilitation. Her research interests focused on sports injuries, rehabilitation training, functional training of injury and therapeutic water exercise.
Dr. Chatzinikolaou is Associate Professor in Democritus University of Thrace in Theory of Strength and Conditioning Training. Currently is head of Physical Performance Laboratory and director of Athletic Training Sector. His research interests are strength and conditioning training, exercise physiology and exercise biochemistry. Specifically, his research interest related to strength training in various populations, performance, and physiology in team sports, exercised induced muscle damage and inflammation, obesity, and bone adaptations through the life expectancy. Dr. Chatzinikolaou research work reflected more than seventy publications in peer-reviewed journals with high recognition (H index 25 in Scopus).
Styliani Fotiadou is a graduate of the Department of Physiotherapy of the University of Thessaly and the Department of Medicine of the Democritus University of Thrace, specialising in Neurology at the University General Hospital Alexandroupolis. She did postgraduate studies in the interdepartmental program “Exercise and quality of life” of the Democritus University of Thrace and the University of Thessaly, in rehabilitation, and then prepared her doctoral dissertation in the Biomechanics Laboratory of the Department of Physical Education and Sports of the Democritus University of Thrace, on the mechanical characteristics of gait in stroke patients. She has worked in the National Health System for about 20 years, while the last two years teaches in a Vocational High School. At the same time, since May 2021, she has been a postdoctoral fellow at the Democritus University of Thrace, studying the correlations of neuroimaging, neurophysiological and biomechanical biomarkers in stroke rehabilitation. Her research interests are related to gait analysis and the rehabilitation of patients with neurological diseases.
Georgios Giarmatzis is a physicist, graduated from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in 2006. His interest in human motion and physiology led him to his second Bsc degree in Sport science and Physical education from Democritus University of Thrace, finished in 2012. The same year, he begun his doctoral studies at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, with primary research interest the biomechanical analysis of exercises in terms of peak mechanical loading at the hip and optimization of training programs to address osteoporosis. His main research interest is in the field of biomechanics, with key area of interest computational multi-scale modeling of human locomotion, to be used in areas of various musculoskeletal disorders and rehabilitation. He has worked on research projects related to the surgical restoration of the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee, and the calculation of the mechanical load on the knee joint in various movements in real time using machine learning algorithms. Currently, he investigates the application of musculoskeletal modeling to movements of chronic stroke patients and to identify appropriate biomechanical markers associated with each patient’s nervous deficits.
Evangelos Karakasis graduated from the Department of Production and Management Engineering of Democritus University of Thrace, where he also acquired his doctoral degree on image processing and pattern recognition. He has (co)authored a number of research papers, which have been published in international scientific journals and conferences, as well as book chapters. His research interests include: (bio)signal and image processing and analysis, pattern recognition and classification, natural language processing, computer vision, machine learning, anomaly detection, vibration magnification and predictive maintenance, feature description. His professional experience includes both national and international research programs, as well as tech-companies where he mainly dealt with: text processing and description, signal analysis, database development, search engines, graphs and knowledge representation, ultrasound video processing, decision and recommender systems, cloud computing, gait analysis and development of real-time algorithms for embedded devices, software development, georeferencing and image stitching, camera calibration, pose estimation, data fusion, detection and prediction of failures and non-optimal operation of machines in industrial environments, project management.
Christos
Kokkotis is a Physicist who graduated from the Department of Physics of the
University of Ioannina. Then, he started his MSc at the Department of Medicine
of the University of Thessaly on “Biomedical Research Methodology,
Biostatistics and Clinical Bioinformatics”. Subsequently, he obtained his
Ph.D. on “Applications of machine learning algorithms in quality of
life” in the laboratory of Biomechanics, at the Department of Physical
Education & Sport Science at the University of Thessaly in Trikala. His
primary research interest was the development of machine learning models for
the prediction of Knee Osteoarthritis and the interpretation of the
rehabilitation progress of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). He also worked
at the Institute for Bio-Economy and Agri-Technology (IBO) – Centre for
Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH) under the OActive and SafeACL research
programs. He is now a postdoctoral fellow of the Department of Physical
Education & Sport Science at the Democritus University of Thrace and member
of the Biomechanics Laboratory. His research interest focuses on the analysis
of time series/waveforms and the development of machine learning models.
Kordosi Suzana is a Professor of Physical Education, graduated from the Department of Physical Education and Sports Science of Democritus University of Thrace. She holds an MSc entitled “Prevention – Intervention – Rehabilitation”, in the postgraduate program “EXERCISE AND QUALITY OF LIFE” of D.U.T.H. of the School of Physical Education and Sports Science of Komotini. In addition, she prepared her doctoral dissertation on “The effect of functional exercise programs with body weight, type Flowbility and Authentic Pilates on balance, flexibility and strength, in healthy adults” at T.E.F.A.A. Komotini of D.U.T.H. She is a certified instructor of the Pilates method, as well as an instructor of Yoga (Yoga Alliance 200h), Aerial Pilates / Yoga, Tae Bo, Aerobic. She worked as a professor in the semester course “Pilates” with a scholarship from E.L.K.E., DUTH, for the academic year (2020-2021), while she has participated in the processing of educational material for distance learning courses at the rehabilitation laboratory of T.E.F.A.A. Komotini, D.U.T.H.. She has many years of teaching experience as a trainer in group exercise programs for children (Tae Kwon Do, rhythmic gymnastics, music-kinetic education, Track and Field) and adults (Fitness programs: muscle strengthening, functional training, Pilates, Yoga, Aerial Pilates / Yoga, Tae Bo) , as well as personalized programs in sports venues, gyms and Adidas Runners.
Vlotinou Pinelopi is a graduate of the Department of Occupational Therapy of the University of West Attica in Athens. She has postgraduate studies in the interdepartment program “Exercise and Quality of Life” of the Democritus University of Thrace and has completed her studies at the School of Pedagogical and Technological education in Sappes, Rodopi. She has prepared a doctoral dissertation in the laboratory of Biomechanics of the Department of Physical Education and Sports Science of Komotini at the Democritus University of Thrace on “An occupational therapy approach for exercise in gait treatment of patients with dementia”. She has been working in the National Health System of Greece, for the last 12 years in the field of neurological disease rehabilitation while she worked in primary school’s education area and as a freelancer occupational therapist for the previous 6 years. She has been trained in France at the Nancy University Hospital in the field of psycho-geriatrics; she has been trained in the Management of Health Units at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and also holds a degree in Drama Therapy. Since May 2021, she is a postdoctoral fellow of the Democritus University of Thrace. She has participated in many conferences and has written research articles. For the last 2 years she has been teaching at the Department of Occupational Therapy of the University of West Attica. Her research interests are related to the rehabilitation of neurological diseases, gait analysis and occupational therapy programs.
Theodora Fanaradelli Mariola is a Civil Engineer who graduated from Democritus University of Thrace (D.U.Th.). Then, she started her Master in Structural Engineering entitled “New Materials and Technologies in Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures and she obtained her Ph.D. at the same department in the field of “Reinforced concrete columns subjected to repeated seismic axial load, strengthened with transverse composites and alternative techniques”. This Doctoral Thesis has received a grant within the framework of the action “Support of Human Research Resources Through Doctoral Research – 2nd cycle” from the Foundation for State Scholarships – IKY. She has also participated in the “Advanced Material Retrofits of Infilled Framed Reinforced Concrete Structures with Predamages Against Collapse” project. Since October 2021, she is an Academic Scholar at the department of Civil Engineering of the International Hellenic University (Serres). Since January 2022, she is also a postdoctoral fellow of the Biomechanics Laboratory of the Department of Physical Education & Sport Science D.U.Th.. She is an expert in finite element analysis and her research interests are focused on the analysis and the rehabilitation of patients with neurological diseases.
Dr. Serafeim Moustakidis is a highly experienced researcher in the field of Artificial Intelligence and data processing, with over 15 years of research experience. His expertise encompasses various AI fields such as Big Data, Data Mining, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning applied to Healthcare, Energy, Transport, and Aerospace. His research focuses on developing novel algorithms to solve important existing and emerging problems and reducing data/complexity in big data environments. He has proposed novel algorithms for hierarchical decomposition of complex classification problems and has published over 100 scientific papers. Dr. Moustakidis is the founder and CTO of AIDEAS OU and has been involved in the technical implementation, scientific, or overall management of 30 R&D projects with a total budget of €50 million.
Katerina Paschalidou is a Lawyer, holds a Master’s Degree (MSc in Bioethics, DUTH) and she is a PhD candidate (Business ethics). She has constant cooperation with law firms throughout the country, as well as with Institutions, and companies in the IT industry. She is also an Associate Lawyer of the Foundation for Youth and Lifelong Learning and she is an external collaborator to the Hellenic Statistical Authority as well. Her scientific interests include ethics, business ethics and bioethics, with a focus on ethics’ perceptions of managers, organizational culture, consumers’ perceived ethicality and how the above constructs are correlated.
Maria Protopapa is a PhD candidate at Department of Physical Education and Sports Science (DPESS) of Democritus University of Thrace (DUTh). Her research topic is the “Biological adaptations of strength training in obese middle-aged adults”. She holds a master’s degree in physical education specializing in “Exercise and quality of life”, in the direction of “Maximizing sports performance”. She is also enrolled in the MSc program in “Functional injury management in athletes and trainees” at DUTh. She has numerous presentations in international scientific congresses. She is an instructor in the university’s lifelong learning related to “Pilates exercise protocols for promoting musculoskeletal health”. She does adjunct teaching in the university’s undergraduate program of study. She works as a trainer in groups with healthy populations and in individualized training with special populations such as obese, stroke survivors, Parkinson’s patients, pregnant women and older adults. As a swim coach (undergraduate degree), she has previously coached children 4-8 years old.
Ioanna Karagiannakidou holds a bachelor’s degree from the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science at DUTH, with a specialization in gymnastics. She further pursued her education, earning a master’s degree from the same department with a specialization in Prevention-Intervention-Rehabilitation. Her master’s thesis focused on designing an exercise program for neck pain. Currently, she is a Ph.D. candidate at the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, DUTH, where her research is centered around knee osteoarthritis and exercise. With a decade of experience, she possesses expertise as a group and personal trainer.
Dimitrios Balampanos is a PhD candidate at the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science (DPESS) of the Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH). The topic of his thesis is the effect of exercise and physical activity on osteoporosis in women. He graduated from the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology of the University of Thessaly and holds a Master’s degree in Toxicology from the same university. He is also a graduate of the Department of Physical Education of the Democritus University of Thrace and an active student of the postgraduate program in “Exercise physiology”. He has participated in several research projects and has been a lecturer of the track and field course at the DPESS. The bulk of his research presentations are in the area of bone health.
Maria Emmanοuilidou has graduated from the Chemistry Department of the University of Ioannina. She has a Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering and Science, Wastewater Management from the Department of Environmental Engineering of the Democritus University of Thrace. Her Master’s Thesis was «Bacteria isolation from cannery waste» using PCR technique». From September 2022, she is a PhD Candidate at the Department of Education & Sports Science at the Democritus University of Thrace with a PhD thesis “Effect of combined hypoxic, hyperoxic and exercise protocols on biochemical markers”. At the same time, from November 2022 she is a member as a fellow of the Biomechanics laboratory of the Department of Physical Education & Sports Science of the Democritus University of Thrace with the subject «Development and application of clinical biomarker determination methods for optimizing the prognosis of the mobility of patients with Stroke, correlations with the clinical picture during the course of rehabilitation».
Koutra Christina is a physiotherapist who graduated from Department of Physiotherapy A.T.E.I. Thessaloniki and also has a degree in Adapted Physical Education from School of Physical Education and Sports Science of Democritus University of Thrace. She completed her Master’s degree in “Prevention – Intervention – Rehabilitation” from the interdepartmental program at Democritus University of Thrace, where she is currently pursuing her PhD. She is certified in “Specialization in Pediatric Physiotherapy” by the Institute of Life-Long Education of A.T.E.I. Thessaloniki, Manual Therapy (Kaltenborn-Evjenth concept) and Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT), and she has actively participated in numerous seminars focused on the rehabilitation of individuals with neurological and musculoskeletal conditions. Her professional experience includes several years working in a private physical therapy laboratory in Komotini, followed by the past 13 years dedicated to serving at a special needs school. Her interests encompass, among others, the fields of neuro-rehabilitation, gait analysis, motor learning and physiotherapy within school settings. Additionally, she has furthered her knowledge by participating in the first part of the course offered by the American Hippotherapy Association, aligning with her specialized area of study.
Pantazis Dimitrios holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Science from the Democritus University of Thrace and completed a Master’s degree in Exercise & Quality of Life from the University of Thessaly and Democritus University of Thrace. His Master’s thesis explored the impact of repeated basketball games and protein supplementation on exercise-induced muscle damage. Currently, he is a Ph.D. candidate at Democritus University of Thrace, focusing on the effects of sports team training on bone density and physical performance. He worked as a research member at the Physical Performance Laboratory, was involved in the strength and conditioning programs for basketball, volleyball, and wheelchair basketball teams, and worked as a performance analyst for a basketball team in the top division of Greece. Since November 2022, he has been a member of the Biomechanics laboratory of the Department of Physical Education & Sports Science of the Democritus University of Thrace with the subject “Development and application of clinical biomarker determination methods for optimizing the prognosis of the mobility of patients with Stroke, correlations with the clinical picture during the course of rehabilitation.”
Sakellari Paraskevi is a physiotherapist, a graduate of the Athens Technical University of Physiotherapy and the Technical University of Athens and the University of Komotini, with specialization in “Adapted Physical Education”. She has specialized in neuro-developmental therapy (NDT) and osteopathy (M.T). She is a graduate of ASPAITE with a certification of educational competence of the department “EPPAIK” and with a specialization in “Counseling and Guidance” of the department “PESYP”. She holds a Master’s degree in Occupational Health and Safety with a specialization in Ergonomics and musculoskeletal stresses of workers, while she is pursuing the same subject in her doctoral thesis at DPESS-DUTH. She has worked since 1997 in rehabilitation centers, stroke units, neurological and psychiatric clinics, while since 2004 she has held an organic position of physiotherapy at the U.G.H. of Alexandroupolis having daily duties in the rehabilitation of orthopedic, neurological, cardiovascular diseases and ICU. She performs teaching work to students of post-secondary education specializing in physiotherapy assistants. She has participated in numerous scientific conferences as a participant and speaker. She has worked as a volunteer for 3 years in the Panhellenic Paraplegic Association and for 7 years as secretary of the Greek Cancer Society of Rhodope branch, carrying out information, prevention and support activities for cancer patients and citizens.Her scientific interests are oriented to the approach of neurological patients, cancer , cardiovascular, orthopedic rehabilitation, ergonomics and gait analysis.
Retzepis Nikolaos is a PhD candidate at the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science (DPESS) of the Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH). The topic of his thesis is “Longitudinal changes of physical attributes, body composition and bone mass in young male athletes”. He graduated from the Physical Education and Sport Science (DPESS) of the Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH) and holds a Master’s degree in “Exercise and quality of life”, with a specialty in “Maximizing sports performance” and “Functional injury management in athletes and trainees” at DUTh. He has numerous presentations in international scientific congresses. He also works as a strength and conditioning and rehabilitation coach in adult basketball teams and as a basketball coach in groups with adolescent athletes.
I am a Strength and Conditioning Specialist with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Sport Science from the University of Thessaly, and I hold a Master’s degree in Exercise and Health from the same institution, where I conducted research on the neuromechanical effects of exercise-induced muscle damage post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Currently, I am pursuing a Ph.D. in Exercise Science at Democritus University of Thrace, focusing my research on neuromechanical deficits in individuals with anterior cruciate ligament ruptures following interventional preoperative rehabilitation. I have actively participated in various biomechanics research projects and gained practical experience as a Strength and Conditioning coach, including working with military school. Additionally, I have assisted in teaching in laboratory courses in “Biomechanics” and “Biomechanical Measurement Methods”.
Konstantinos Anagnostopoulos is a PhD candidate at the Department of Physical Education and Sports Science of Democritus University of Thrace in the field of Exercise Physiology. He holds a MSc degree in “Maximizing Athletic Performance & Effectiveness’’ in the postgraduate program “EXERCISE AND QUALITY OF LIFE” of D.U.T.H. of the same department. He has been an active exercise professional in the fitness industry since 2014. He has long-term/standing teaching experience in the field of Group & Personal Training and has worked in various countries including Greece, Spain, and Italy. In addition, he is an active member of the international fitness team of the Berlin-based online exercise platform fitnessschool.tv. As a fitness presenter, he has been invited to teach fitness choreography, eg. dance aerobic & step aerobic, in several countries across Europe, including Greece, Italy, Germany, and Poland. Finally, his academic career has granted him with extensive experience in applying clinical exercise to special population. Currently he’s working for the ‘’Athens Alzheimer Association’’ giving the best of his service to people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and/or other related diseases to improve their quality of life.
Maria is a PhD candidate at the Department of Physical Education and Sports Science (DPESS) of Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH) in the field of motor development. Her doctoral research focuses on evaluating the psychometric properties of a Greek version of the Test of Gross Motor Development – Third Edition (TGMD-3). She holds a master’s degree in “Exercise and Quality of Life” and is completing a second one in “Child Psychomotricity.” Since 2020, Maria has taken on the role of owner and director at a center specializing in creative activities for children located in central Greece. Over the past seven years, she has gained extensive experience working with children aged 2-6 in “Psychomotor activities” classes and has also coached a track and field team for children aged 4-7. Maria’s research interests encompass motor development and motor assessment. She has been an active member of the Biomechanics Laboratory since August 2021, where she has specialized in the field of measurement procedures with stroke survivors for the research project titled “Development and application of clinical biomarker determination methods for optimizing the prognosis of the mobility of patients with Stroke, correlations with the clinical picture during the course of rehabilitation.”
I am Aristeidou Maria, my academic path began with graduation from the Department of Physical Education and Sports Science at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, where my specialization centered on the competitive discipline of rhythmic gymnastics. Subsequently, I pursued obtaining a Master’s degree in Cultural Management from the Hellenic Open University, followed by a second Master’s degree in Dance Studies, conferred upon me by the Department of Physical Education and Sports Science at Democritus University of Komotini. At present, I am engaged in doctoral research within the same institution, with my scholarly endeavors concentrated on the field of exercise physiology with a particular emphasis on rhythmic gymnastics. My academic interests encompassing multifaceted domains such as neurophysiology, neurology, and biomechanics.
PhD Candidate in Exercise Physiology at T.E.F.A.A. of the Democritus University of Thrace. Graduate of DPESS of DUTH and Master of Degree in Physical Education Specialization in “Exercise and Quality of Life” majoring in “Prevention-Intervention-Rehabilitation” of the DPESS of the Universities of Democritus of Thrace and Thessaly. I worked as a Hydrotherapist in Egersis Medical Rehabilitation at the facilities of the Rehabilitation Center “Philoktitis” for 18 months. Trained in teaching methodology of therapeutic exercise in water by the Greek company Halliwick in collaboration with the International Halliwick Association. Work experience as a Physical Education teacher from 2003 until today (Substitute Teacher, School Swimming, Exercise and Cancer, Exercise and Coronary Disease, Learning Swimming). I was an adjunct teaching staff during the academic year 2020-2021 in the subject “Physiology” of the course Physiology I at the Department of Medicine of the Democritus University of Thrace.
Our Lab
Biomechanics Lab
Department of Physical Education and Sport Science
University Campus
69100 Komotini, Greece
Call Us
Lab. +30 25310 39733
Office. +30 25310 39645
nagelous@phyed.duth.gr