Researcher, Technical University of Crete, Greece
Evangelia Koukianaki is a dedicated Research Associate at the Technical University of Crete, contributing her expertise at the Hydro-geochemical Engineering and Soil Remediation Laboratory (HERS LAB). With a strong foundation in Environmental Engineering, she focuses on sustainable solutions to environmental challenges. Her work spans innovative projects funded by EU programs such as PRIMA and H2020, tackling issues from desertification to ecosystem modeling. Passionate about integrating science with policy, Evangelia’s research supports decision-makers in designing climate-resilient strategies. πΏππ
Profile
Scopus
Education π
Evangelia holds a Masterβs degree in Sustainable Engineering and Climate Change, with a specialization in Sustainable Water and Wastewater Management, from the School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the Technical University of Crete. π§ͺπ She earned Award of Excellence distinctions for both her undergraduate (Grade: 8.34/10) and postgraduate (Grade: 9.81/10) performances, reflecting her academic dedication and high merit. ππ
Experience πΌ
Over the past 2.5 years, Evangelia has served as a Researcher at HERS LAB, contributing to EU-backed projects like EcoFuture, Carbon Farming MED, and eLTER PLUS. π±π¬ Her role encompasses data modeling, stakeholder collaboration, and ecosystem assessment, with a strong interdisciplinary orientation. Through these projects, she collaborates with international researchers, companies, and institutions to advance sustainable practices and research impact. π€ππ
Research Interest π
Her research interests include ecosystem services modeling, carbon sequestration, and the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus optimization. ππ She integrates environmental modeling tools to forecast system behaviors under different management scenarios, supporting sustainable policy development. Evangeliaβs approach blends geochemical analysis, model-based forecasting, and land use optimizationβcritical areas in combating climate change and land degradation. ππ³π§
Awards π
Evangelia has been honored with two Awards of Excellence: one for her outstanding undergraduate GPA and another for securing the highest average score in her Masterβs Program. π
π These distinctions highlight her strong academic discipline and research potential. She has also been provisionally selected for the Best Researcher Award for her impactful publication on forest soil function modeling. π²π§
Publications π
Optimizing the water-ecosystem-food nexus using nature-based solutions at the basin scale β Frontiers in Water, 2024. Cited by: 1+
Optimizing the water-ecosystem-food nexus of avocado plantations β Frontiers in Water, 2024. Cited by: 1+
Modeling soil functions of forested ecosystems β Journal of Environmental Management, 2025. Cited by: Pending (new release)
Conclusion
Evangelia Koukianaki is a promising early-career researcher with strong academic credentials, highly relevant research themes, and meaningful contributions to European-funded environmental research projects. Despite being at an early stage in her career (2.5 years), she demonstrates clear scientific vision, a commitment to sustainable development goals, and potential for impactful research. With time and broader engagement in publishing, networks, and industry, she is well-positioned to become a leading researcher in her field.