Aristides Moustakas | Forestry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Aristides Moustakas | Forestry | Best Researcher Award

University of Crete | Greece

Dr. Aristides Moustakas is a distinguished researcher specializing in applied statistics and informatics within biological and environmental sciences. His work bridges data-driven approaches with ecology, biodiversity, epidemiology, and climate change adaptation. With extensive academic and professional experience across Europe and Asia, he has contributed significantly to environmental management, invasive species analysis, and health informatics. His expertise extends to advanced statistical modelling, machine learning, and simulation methods for ecological and epidemiological systems. Dr. Moustakas is recognized for interdisciplinary collaborations that integrate policy, science, and technology to address pressing global challenges in sustainable development, environmental resilience, and agricultural systems.

Author Profiles

Orcid 
Google Scholar

Education

Dr. Aristides Moustakas pursued a Ph.D. in Natural Sciences (Mathematical Ecology) at Friedrich-Schiller University of Jena, Germany, supported by a prestigious DFG scholarship. His doctoral research focused on mathematical modelling of ecological systems, emphasizing statistical approaches to biodiversity and environmental change. Prior to this, he completed an M.Sc. in Quality Control and Environmental Management at the Technical University of Crete, Greece, where he developed strong foundations in environmental analytics. His academic journey began with a Diploma in Industrial Engineering and Management, also at the Technical University of Crete, equipping him with a multidisciplinary perspective blending engineering, management, and ecology.

Professional Experience 

Dr. Aristides Moustakas has held prominent academic and research positions worldwide. He is currently a Distinguished Researcher at the Natural History Museum of Crete, leading Horizon 2020 projects on environmental data analytics and climate change. Previously, he served as a contracted expert with the European Food Safety Authority, contributing to surveillance and policy measures on invasive species and agricultural diseases. His career includes senior faculty roles at Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Queen Mary University of London, and research appointments at the University of Leeds. Additionally, he founded Infometrics Data Analytics Ltd., applying advanced data analysis for environmental, agricultural, and epidemiological challenges.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Aristides Moustakas has been widely recognized for his impactful contributions to environmental sciences and applied data analytics. He has received competitive international research grants, including funding from Horizon 2020, NERC, and the COST EU Action scheme. His innovative modelling work on bovine tuberculosis received substantial media coverage from the BBC and The Guardian, influencing public policy discussions on disease management. He has also been awarded national and international fellowships, including DFG and I.K.Y scholarships, for academic excellence. His leadership roles in multi-institutional research programs underscore his reputation as a globally respected scientist advancing interdisciplinary environmental solutions.

Research Skills

Dr. Aristides Moustakas possesses advanced expertise in applied statistics, informatics, and computational modelling across environmental, ecological, and epidemiological domains. His skill set includes statistical modelling, multivariate statistics, spatial analysis, time-series modelling, and machine learning applications. He is proficient in R, Python, SPSS, Minitab, and multiple programming languages including C, C++, Fortran, and SQL. His research integrates data-driven insights with policy development, enabling practical solutions for biodiversity management, climate adaptation, invasive species monitoring, and disease surveillance. He is experienced in designing and leading interdisciplinary projects, synthesizing literature for systematic reviews, and communicating complex scientific outcomes to policymakers, stakeholders, and non-specialist audiences.

Publications

Moustakas, A.; Thomson, L. J. M.; Mughal, R.; Chatterjee, H. J. Effects of Community Assets on Major Health Conditions in England: A Data Analytic Approach. Healthcare, 2024.

Pleros, C.; Adamidis, K.; Kantartzi, K.; Griveas, I.; Baltsavia, I.; Moustakas, A.; et al. Dialysis Patients Respond Adequately to Influenza Vaccination Irrespective of Dialysis Modality and Chronic Inflammation. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2023.

Santín, C.; Moustakas, A.; Doerr, S. H. Searching the flames: Trends in global and regional public interest in wildfires. Environmental Science & Policy, 2023.

Moustakas, A. Ranking the explanatory power of factors associated with worldwide new Covid-19 cases. (Other), 2021.

Moustakas, A.; Firdaus, M. Online voting behaviour, public content preferences, and content complexity of movies and digital entertainment since the late 19th century. (Other), 2021.

Moustakas, A. Internet Search Effort on Covid-19 and the Underlying Public Interventions and Epidemiological Status. (Other), 2021.

Conclusion 

Dr. Aristides Moustakas exemplifies the integration of data science and environmental research, applying advanced statistical and computational tools to address urgent global challenges. His career reflects a balance between academic excellence, impactful research, and applied policy contributions. Through leadership in large-scale international projects, he has advanced knowledge in biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, and agricultural informatics. His research outcomes have not only shaped scientific discourse but also informed policy decisions at the European level. With strong interdisciplinary expertise, global collaborations, and a commitment to sustainable development, Dr. Moustakas continues to drive innovation in environmental data analytics and applied ecological sciences.

Seda Arslan | Climate Change | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Seda Arslan | Climate Change | Best Researcher Award

Süleyman Demirel University | Turkey

Author Profile

Scopus
Orcid ID

E. SEDA ARSLAN: PIONEERING LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE 🌿

INTRODUCTION

E. Seda Arslan, Ph.D., is an esteemed Associate Professor in Landscape Architecture at Süleyman Demirel University, Turkey. With a distinguished career in landscape ecology, climate change, and ecosystem services, Dr. Arslan has significantly contributed to sustainable environmental planning and landscape management.

📚 EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS

Dr. Arslan’s academic journey began at Ankara University, Turkey, where she earned her undergraduate (2003-2007), postgraduate (2008-2010), and doctoral degrees (2010-2014) in Landscape Architecture. Her rigorous academic training laid the foundation for her pioneering research in land use dynamics and public participation GIS (PPGIS).

🧪 PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS

Dr. Arslan embarked on her professional career as a Research Assistant at Artvin Çoruh University (2009-2014). She later served as an Assistant Professor at the same institution before moving to Süleyman Demirel University in 2017, where she was promoted to Associate Professor in 2020. Her expertise in landscape diversity and green infrastructure has shaped numerous research projects and policy recommendations.

🔬 CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS ON Climate Change 

Dr. Arslan’s research emphasizes:

  • Ecosystem services assessment in urban and natural landscapes.
  • Climate change impact modeling on forest distributions.
  • Landscape diversity and land use planning for environmental resilience.
  • Public Participation GIS (PPGIS) for spatial decision-making.
  • Green infrastructure development to enhance urban sustainability.

Her research has been pivotal in advancing scientific methodologies for predicting landscape changes under climate scenarios, with applications in sustainable forestry and biodiversity conservation.

🌍 IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

Dr. Arslan’s research on climate-adaptive landscapes has influenced regional planning and conservation strategies. Her expertise in spatial analysis has contributed to the optimization of urban green spaces, fostering resilience against environmental changes. She has actively collaborated with international institutions, including her post-doctoral research at the University of Turku, Finland (2019-2020), funded by the Scientific and Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK).

📈 ACADEMIC CITATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

Dr. Arslan has published extensively in high-impact journals, including:

  • Prediction of the shift of the distribution of Pinus brutia Ten. under future climate models (New Forests, 2025).
  • Predicting the distribution of European Hop Hornbeam using MaxEnt modeling (European Journal of Forest Research, 2023).
  • Geographical distribution of Laurus nobilis L. under climate change effects (Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2023).
  • Distribution of Rosa canina L. under climate scenarios (Regional Environmental Change, 2020).
  • Habitat suitability of Pinus pinea L. under climate change (Biologia, 2020).

Her research contributions provide critical insights into climate-responsive landscape management and conservation planning.

🏅 HONORS & AWARDS

  • TUBITAK Scientific Publications Encouragement Award (2021, 2022, 2024) for outstanding contributions to environmental research.
  • International Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (TUBITAK 2219, 2019-2020) for pioneering work in ecosystem service valuation.

🌐 LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS

With her dedication to education, research, and environmental advocacy, Dr. Arslan is set to shape the future of sustainable landscape planning. Her ongoing research in ecosystem services and climate change adaptation will contribute significantly to global conservation efforts, ensuring a more resilient and ecologically balanced world.

🌠 FINAL NOTE

Dr. E. Seda Arslan continues to be a leading voice in landscape architecture, integrating ecological sustainability with technological advancements in GIS and climate modeling. Her work not only enhances scientific knowledge but also provides actionable solutions for environmental resilience and policy-making.

📑 NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS 

Prediction of the shift of the distribution of Pinus brutia Ten. under future climate model
  • Authors: E. Seda Arslan, Ömer K. Örücü, Süleyman Gülcü, Samet Dirlik, Ecem Hoşgör
  • Journal: New Forests
  • Year: 2025
Modeling Cultural Ecosystem Services Using Social Media Photos: The case of Denizli, Türkiye
  • Authors: Ömer K. Örücü, E. Seda Arslan, Işıl Kaymaz, Ecem Hoşgör, Cennet Tekin Cüre
  • Journal: Adnan Menderes Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi Dergisi
  • Year: 2024
Exploring the relation between urban landscape service values and different infrastructures through crowdsourced data
  • Authors: Işıl Kaymaz, E. Seda Arslan, Ömer K. Örücü, Ecem Hoşgör
  • Journal: International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology
  • Year: 2024
Predicting the distribution of European Hop Hornbeam: application of MaxEnt algorithm and climatic suitability models
  • Authors: Ömer K. Örücü, Hossein Azadi, E. Seda Arslan, Özgür Kamer Aksoy, Shahla Choobchian, Saeedeh Nazari Nooghabi, Horatiu Ioan Stefanie
  • Journal: European Journal of Forest Research
  • Year: 2023
Kültürel Ekosistem Hizmetlerinin Maksimum Entropi Algoritması Kullanılarak Modellenmesi
  • Authors: Müjde Taş, E. Seda Arslan
  • Journal: Türkiye Peyzaj Araştırmaları Dergisi
  • Year: 2022