A Greek scientist is on Time magazine’s list of 100 people who will change the world

In notable recognition of his contribution to the fields of physiology, environmental health and sustainability, Dr. Andreas Floris, Associate Professor at the Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences at the University of Thessaly, has been included in TIME magazine’s prestigious TIME100 Next list. For 2023. This annual list honors 100 people from all walks of life, politics, science, arts and social work with the strongest perspective on changing the future of the world.

The TIME100 Next list will be published from 2021 and Dr. Floris is the first Greek to be included in it. So far, the list has included politicians such as Sanna Marin, the former prime minister of Finland who took office just weeks before her country’s first coronavirus case, and Kaja Kallas, the prime minister of Estonia who campaigned for support for Ukraine from the European Union, as well as Rishi Sunak, The current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, who when he was included in the TIME100 Next list was a relatively unknown economist who had just been appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer. The list also includes artists such as Dua Lipa, a pop star with millions of fans around the world, as well as Ana de Armas, star of films such as “Knives Out” and “James Bond – No Time to Die.” The TIME100 Next list also includes athletes such as Carlos Alcaraz, the youngest tennis player to become world No. 1, and Marcus Rashford, the Manchester United and England national team star, who led a campaign to persuade the government to confront child hunger in 2018. United Kingdom, as well as Luka Doncic, who was 20 years old. He is 21 years old and has already been selected in the top five in the NBA. Finally, the TIME100 Next list includes leaders, inventors and activists like Victor Glover, a NASA astronaut who will fly to the dark side of the moon late next year aboard the Artemis 2 spacecraft, and Vanessa Nakate, a well-known climate activist from Uganda. which launched a major program to convert schools to solar energy, and Yvonne Aki Sawyer, the first mayor of Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone.

With an illustrious career spanning the past 20 years, Dr. Flores has dedicated his research to understanding the impact of climate change and environmental factors on public health and other aspects of our lives such as economics, competitiveness and quality of life. He is an advocate for climate action and the fight for sustainability, with the aim of securing the future of our planet and our communities.

“I am honored to be named to the TIME100 Next list,” Dr. Flores told APE-MPE. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work of the FAMELab research team at the University of Thessaly and the support of my colleagues and mentors. The purpose of my research is to help create a more sustainable and just future for all.”

What distinguishes Dr. Flores is not only his significant academic achievements, but also his efforts in translating scientific knowledge into social action. He has advised governments and international organizations, such as the Cypriot Presidency, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security of Greece, the Qatari Ministry of Labor, the World Health Organization, the International Labor Organization, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, the European Space Organization and NASA, on the critical interactions of climate change and environmental factors. With health, sustainability, impact assessment and risk communication now and in the future.

As Dr. Flores explains to APE-MPE, “Our studies span a wide spectrum, from small to large-scale field studies, basic and applied laboratory research, clinical studies, environmental monitoring and modelling, epidemiological research, risk assessment and policy analysis or economics.” He continues: “We are very pleased that our research has been funded by the Commission with more than €20 million since 2010. They are very interested that our research focuses on Commission priorities, such as the impacts of heat stress, air pollution and extreme weather events on health and quality of life.” . To date, Dr. Flores’ research has had a significant impact on policy. He has helped develop guidelines and legislation on heat stress and air quality as well as climate change adaptation strategies.

Dr. Flores’ inclusion in the TIME100 Next is not only recognition of his outstanding contribution to science, but also a testament to his commitment to creating a better, more sustainable world for future generations. He also states that “As an advocate for climate action, I work closely with national and international organizations to promote sustainability initiatives that can lead to a more environmentally conscious world. I strive to translate scientific data into actionable policies regarding the environment, climate, health and economics for organizations like The World Health Organization, the International Labor Organization, the World Meteorological Organization, the Bank of Greece and others.” For this reason, it has a strong presence in global media such as BBC, CBC, Financial Times, NewYorkTimes, WIRED, HBO and Thomson ReutersFoundation. As he says, “The ability of scientists to communicate complex concepts to the public is vital to raising awareness in society. Taxpayers support research, but unfortunately, it is often underutilized and does not advance beyond the level of a scientific article. Which it does not.” “Only a few people.” “People are reading. We have to change that.”

In recent years, it has become clear that Dr. Flores’s hard work and dedication inspires others to engage in this field of research. “So far, I have been fortunate to supervise the research of more than 60 excellent postdoctoral fellows and doctoral or postgraduate students,” he says. “Today, many of these people work in organizations such as the European Commission, major universities and research centers in Europe and Europe.” “From North America, or have pursued other very innovative career paths. I am very proud of the work produced by the researchers on our team.” He tries to support his colleagues at all stages of their careers, which has been recognized since the early years of his career in Canada, earning him the title of “All-Canadian Academic Mentor.” He concludes his talk by emphasizing to APE-MPE that “the next generation of scientists is our best hope for meeting the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation. As an academic, I am committed to supporting their work and helping them make a positive impact on society.” As a whole”.

Source: Monkey Bee