• Cloning, heterologous expression, production and characterization of novel biocatalysts involved in the degradation of lignocellulosic biomass.
• Development of enzyme-mediated biocatalytic processes for the production of added value compounds from industrial by-products and pollutants, including different streams obtained from biomass pretreatment, furans, synthetic polymers and other xenobiotic compounds. 

• Development of microbial fermentation processes both in small-scale cultures and bioreactors for the production of useful products, including proteins, mycelial biomass, lactic acid, ω-3 fatty acids and nanocellulose.

She has obtained a BSc/MSc at Agricultural University of Athens (2018 - 2023). Her diploma thesis entitled "Heterologous expression and biochemical characterization of oxidative fungal enzymes towards the biotransformation of furans" (2022-2023) was conducted at the Laboratory of General and Agricultural Microbiology, under supervision of Assist. Prof. A. Karnaouri).

In her PhD (started on February 2024, Supervisor Assist. Prof. A. Karnaouri), she is studying the discovery of novel fungal enzymes for the valorization of lignocellulosic biomass, as well as other natural and xenobiotic compounds of similar structure towards the production of value added products of industrial interest.

Email                   mkaronidi@aua.gr

She completed her undergraduate studies at the Department of Biotechnology of the Agricultural University of Athens. She is a PhD candidate at the Laboratory of General and Agricultural Microbiology, AUA (2022–present) (supervisor Professor G. Zervakis). Her thesis is entitled "Biodegradation – Biotransformations of synthetic polymers using selected fungal strains." Her research focuses on evaluating the enzymatic potential of fungi and microbial fermentation processes for the production of mycelium, utilizing synthetic polymers and industrial by-products. 

Email                   evi.giouroukou@aua.gr

“Exploitation of novel fungal oxidative biocatalysts for the sustainable production of valuable monomers from lignocellulose-based furans” - started at September 2024.

“Evaluation of antibacterial activity of crude extracts obtained from fungi” started at September 2024.

“Study of novel fungal redox enzymes and their utilization in the production of high-value-added compounds from furans derived from lignocellulosic biomass”, started at September 2023.

“Evaluation of Basidiomycete strains and their enzymatic system in the degradation of xenobiotic polymers”, December 2024.

“Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of fungal-derived extracts”, December 2024.

“Evaluation of the enzymatic potential of the fungi Pleurotus eryngii and Cyclocybe cylindracea in solid-state fermentations using agricultural by-products”, started at February 2024.

“Investigation of the intraspecific diversity of the species Cyclocybe cylindracea in plastic degradation”, started at February 2024.

“Heterologous expression and biochemical study of oxidative enzymes of fungal origin with applications in the biotransformation of furan compounds”, September 2023.