Stamatis Chrysanthopoulos Bio
Where do you call home? Can you describe it?
Honestly speaking, it is rather difficult to define a place that I can call it home. I originally come from Greece, a country that is characterized by a vivid daily life, strong bonds among family and friends as well as a vast variety of customs. I guess home is wherever someone settles and feels welcomed by locals without carrying the invisible label “stranger”.
What are some of your personal interests and hobbies?
This is a straightforward answer. During my spare time, I fancy doing sports and cooking. When I speak about sports, I specifically mean Triathlon which includes three disciplines namely swimming, cycling, and running. Participating in national as well as international races is my secret pill to escape from daily routine and challenge my body and mind to become a better me. My other love (cooking) is a more creative side of myself. My mother and particularly my grandmother wοke me up to the joys of cooking. Greek cuisine has an enormous gastronomic capacity and therefore I fancy preparing delicious meals for my friends.
What is your biggest personal achievement so far?
If I can exclude the fact that I was accepted as an ESR in the Marie-Curie ITN, without second thought my biggest personal achievement was when I obtained my lifeguard license. In particular, there were two phases to pass the exam namely theory and practice. The last phase of the challenge involved a drowning simulation of a military submarine. The objective was to securely pulled him outside of the water, a task that demanded both mental and physical strength. Ultimately, I made it, however, I cannot imagine how it feels like under real conditions.
What is the title of your PhD project? Can you explain it to a non-academic?
The title of my PhD project is “pH modification of animal manure as a tool to reduce GHG’s and ammonia emissions and improve fertiliser value”. In other words, I try to improve the physico-chemical properties of animal manure, specifically of pig slurry which is the liquid fraction. To do that I simply modify the pH (either by increasing or decreasing), however, not with chemical compounds but through addition of agro-industrial by-products that have currently no use. At the end of my PhD thesis I will be able to answer important research questions such as: “What is the impact of pH modification on plant nutrient availability?”. I shall highlight that a big part of the project includes microbiological analysis to ensure a safe biobased fertiliser to be used in agriculture.
What drives your interest in bio-based fertilisers?
Having a quick glance at the United Nations main webpage, by 2050 the global population is expected to be 9,8 billions of people. To ensure sufficient food supply for every single individual, requires alternative and sustainable solutions. I believe that biobased fertilisers is a part of the solution towards this problem and research is required on that field. There is no doubt whatsoever, that chemical fertilisers are effective to fertilize plants but I do want to show that biobased-fertilisers have other beneficial characteristics.
Describe your experience with the FertiCycle ITN so far?
In the Ferticycle project, we are a group of 15 Early Stage Researchers (ESR’s) working on different scientific pillars related to biobased fertilisers. What really surprise me is the possibility to collaborate with other ESRs from the project. Either I lack scientific background on a certain area, or I simply seek for a second opinion there is always someone to help me from the project. Additionally, the supplementary courses, workshops and online webinars organized by Ferticycle have provided me so far a holistic approach to biobased fertilisers.
What would you say are the benefits of the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Fellowship?
The Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Fellowship does not require any introduction as it is one of the most well known and best fellowships in Europe. What I have experienced so far is that
regardless of our gender, religious beliefs, and skin color all ESRs have the same rights and are treated on the same way. It is of note that during our research period, a secondment and internship with industrial partners is planned to further promote interdisciplinarity and scientific collaboration.
How has the experience traveling abroad for this program been for you?
I may say that I have left Greece since 2017, so I count more than five years being abroad. Having travelled in many different countries such as the Netherlands, Italy and China, Portugal is by far the country with more similarities related to Greece. The Ferticycle program and my main supervisors ensure a smooth set up from the very beginning which is why I feel so grateful to them. I will not hide you that I face obstacles every day, however, I always try to see the positive aspect and never give up.