Dr. Eva Kassi is endocrinologist. She received her PhD (2004) in Biochemistry. In 2006 she became Lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry; since 2011, she worked as Assistant Professor of Biochemisty/Molecular Endocrinology, in the Department of Biochemistry, Medical School of Athens (NKUA), Greece. At 2013 she was appointed as Consultant endocrinologist at the Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic diseases of 1st Department of Internal Medicine, at Laiko Hospital. Since 2016, she is Associate Professor in Medical School, NKUA, Greece

Spiros Karras was born in Thessaloniki. He graduated from the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki .He acquired his specialization in Endocrinology in 2010.His Phd thesis (completed in 2015 ), focused on the pleiotropic effects of vitamin D during pregnancy. This research endeavor led to the development of several international collaborations on the field of vitamin D research worldwide and was the initial basis for the foundation of the Mediterranean Vitamin D experts meeting. He has published more than 100 full papers in peer-reviewed international journals, with the vast majority relating to extraskeletal vitamin D actions. He is regular reviewer in more than 70 international journals and lecturer in national and international meetings on the field. He is also member of the Editorial board of scientific peer-reviewed journals.His current position is as a Senior Researcher in the Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, First Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, with teaching ,educational and clinical activities .

Kalliopi Pazaitou-Panayiotou MD, PhD is Endocrinologist, Coordinate Director of the Division of Endocrinology-Endocrine Oncology, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece. Her special research interest focus on Hormones and Cancer, Thyroid cancer, endocrinopathies due to chemotherapy or immunotherapy and on cancer induced bone disease. She has published many papers in international journals and is invited speaker in numerous national congresses. Her latest interest focus on the antineoplastic effect of the vitamin D on cancer

Apostolos Athanasiadis was born in Thessaloniki, Greece. He is a Professor in Obstetrics - Gynecology and Maternal Fetal Medicine of the Medical School of Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece, from which he graduated in 1980. Recently, he was elected Chairman of the 3rdDepartment Ob Gyn of Aristotle University, Thessaloniki. He specialized in the Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Yale University, USA. He participates in the educational programs of Greek medical schools and in postgraduate workshops in Europe and especially in South East Europe. He successfully contributed in organizing many congresses and courses in Europe as president, member of the organizing committees and scientific coordinator. His scientific contribution accounts for more than 200 scientific papers (IF 131), presentations, articles and chapters. His papers have been cited more than 1300 times in the Science Citation Index. He has been invited as lecturer and has given more than 300 lectures in international and Greek congresses and meetings. He envisioned and realized, with the collaboration of other professors and specialists in the field, the creation of the “South East European Society of Perinatal Medicine”, which now consists of 13 countries. He is the Deputy Director of the Editorial Board of the Hellenic scientific journals “Ultrasonography” and “Perinatal and Neonatal Journal” and a member of the Editorial Board of the journal “Gynecology Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine». He is a peer reviewer in Greek and International scientific journals.

Dardavessis I Theodore, Professor of Hygiene and Social Medicine: The scientific interests of Prof Theodore Dardavessis concern the fields Hygiene, Social and Preventive Medicine. His scientific work includes 200 papers, published in peer-reviewed Greek and international scientific journals with more than 1000 citations. He has also completed the editing of 11 scientific publications and has written chapters in scholarly writings as well monographs and books. Currently, he holds the position of Dean of Faculty of Health Sciences and he has been Head of Department of Biological Sciences and Preventive Medicine. He is Member of Editorial Board of six Scientific Journals, Reviewer of papers for Scientific Journals and Conferences, Reviewer of Research Programs, Member of Scientific Committees of five Associations and twenty-nine Medical Conferences, Member of Organizing Committees of six International and forty-two Pan-Hellenic Conferences, Member of Executive Boards on five Scientific Societies and nine Medico-social Organizations. He has participated in more than 284 Conferences, Symposia, Round Tables and other events as Rapporteur or Speaker. He has been teaching various subjects such as Hygiene, Social Medicine, Geriatrics-Gerontology, Health Population, Epidemiology, Public and Personal Hygiene, Ethical and legal rules governing the exercise of the medical function, Occupational Health at Undergraduate and Postgraduate Courses at the Medical School AUTH, Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki and National School of Public Health. He has participated in more than 10 funded by the Greek State research programmes/studies

Dr Athanasios Notopoulos is Head of the Nuclear Medicine Department of the Hippokration General Hospital of Thessaloniki since September 2013. He is a graduate of the Medical School of the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki (1992) and a nuclear medicine specialist since 1998. He has been working as a Consultant at the Nuclear Medicine Departments of Saint Andrew’s Hospital of Patras, “Papageorgiou” General Hospital of Thessaloniki and Hippokration General Hospital of Thessaloniki. He has completed his MBA (Magister) on Health Sevices Administration at the Conservatoire Nationale des Arts et Metiers at Paris and his PhD at the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, studying the comparative use of serum markers of bone metabolism and apoptosis in the evaluation of therapeutic response of patients with breast cancer and bone metastases. He has participated in 27 publications of full articles in International and Greek medical journals (with 205 citations), in over 180 oral or poster presentations in medical congresses (of whom 8 were awarded a prize) and in 16 chapters of medical books, while he has also given 72 invited lectures at various medical congresses. He has been the President of the Organizing Committee of three biannial International Medical Conferences “Exploring Novel Medical Frontiers” and Co-President of the Scientific Committee of the International Meeting on Digestive Diseases. He has conducted research on Immuno-PET imaging applications and the optimal predictive biomarkers in lung and colorectal cancer. His ongoing line of research investigates aspects of bone metabolism as well as new estimates of kidney transplant perfusion.

Current Position: Ass. Professor in Endocrinology-Diabetes, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Dept. of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, 1st dept. of Medicine, AHEPA Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
Professor Kalliopi Kotsa graduated with distinction from the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in 1991 and the University of Sheffield in 1996 (M Med Sci Endocrinology - Genetics of Autoimmune Thyroid Disease). She completed her PhD in 2004 (Vitamin D and Glucose Metabolism). She is an Assistant Professor in Endocrinology-Diabetes since October 2013, currently in charge of the Division of Endocrinology-Diabetes, 1st Dept of Internal Medicine in Aristotle University, involved in clinical research, undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.

Zebekakis Pantelis, is Professor of Internal Medicine at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and Head of First Department of Internal Medicine at AHEPA University Hospital.
He graduated from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (1980), completed his medical training in the same University (1990) and received his PhD from the Medical School of Thessaloniki (1998.
He worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Hypertension and Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Unit of the Katholieke Universiteit of Leuven, Belgium (2003-04).
His teaching and clinical experience covers the entire spectrum of Internal medicine with a special area of interest in the research and treatment of essential and secondary arterial hypertension. He is Hypertension Specialist of the European Society of Hypertension, since 2001 and now is elected President of the Hellenic Society of Hypertension.

Endocrinologist trained in Endocrinology and Metabolism at Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris. Exercise as specialist and director in the Department of Endocrinology-Diabetes-Metabolism in Panagia and Agios Pavlos General Hospitals in Thessaloniki, until 2014. Currently, Head of the Endocrinology department in St-Luke's Private Hospital in Thessaloniki. Special research interest in obesity (SCOPE teaching fellow) and lipid disorders. Authored 45 peer review papers and 10 chapters in books. Scientific coordinator in five Epidemiology/Interventional Surveys on Obesity. Teaches in two post-graduate diplomas on Nutrition and Obesity.

1999-2000 ׃ Erasmus University, (The Netherlands Foundation for Scientific Research) – (Stichting Voortplantingsgeneeskunde Rotterdam),
2015-Today׃ Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology with special interest in Reproductive Endocrinology and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Book Chapters ׃ 17 International and Greek
Publications international ׃ 48
Clinical experience ׃ extensive experience in the full range of obstetrics and gynecology

Professor Emeritus, School of Medicine, University of Crete. 2015-now | Ex-Dean, School of Medicine, University of Crete. 2011 – 2014 |Chief Editor, HORMONES (International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism) (The official Journal of the Greek Endocrine Society) in Pubmed since 2001, 2016 IF:1.5, five year IF:1.7, www.hormones.gr. 2011-2016, re-elected 2016 for five more years. Professor, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 1997-2014. | Member, Standing Committee of the European Medical Research Council (EMRC), The European Science Foundation (2009-now) http://www.esf.org/about-us.html| Member, Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes Task Force International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI), Europe | Adjunct Sientist with clinical privileges, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Bethesda, Maryland, USA (1985-1990). | Senior Resident Associate, National Research Council, Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases, USAMRIID, Fort Detrick, Maryland, USA, 1989-1990 | Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award, Mt Sinai, CUNY and National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Bethesda, Maryland, USA, 1985-1988. | Instructor in Medicine, Mt Sinai Medical Center, City University of New York, NYC, 1985-1986. | Clinical fellow in Endocrinology, Mt Sinai Medical Center, City University of New York, NYC, USA, 1980-1985. |

Niki Katsiki, MSc, PhD, MD, FRSPH is a specialist in Internal Medicine and a researcher at the Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. Her PhD was based on obesity-related peptides in diabetic patients. Dr. Katsiki has participated in obesity, lipid, diabetes and peripheral artery disease outpatient clinics, has given talks and lectures in several international conferences (in Greece, UK, Austria, Serbia, Italy, Cyprus and Poland) and participated in Expert Panel meetings, guidelines publications and clinical trials. She has also been involved in teaching medical students and trainees as well as postgraduate students. Dr Katsiki serves as a reviewer, Associate Editor or Section Editor for several journals. She has 258 publications papers listed in PubMed and more than 2,100 citations on the ISI, Core Collection (h-factor = 28).

Evangelia Kotzakioulafi graduated first of her class in Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki. She is a Dietitian-Nutritionist and continued her education in Applied Medical Statistical Methodology in Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Currently, working as a Scientific Associate of Center for Obesity Management (EASO accredited) in 1st Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, University General Hospital of Thessaloniki AHEPA. She has voluntarily provided dietetic consulting in Social Health Care Offices of Thessaloniki in association with ATEITH (Nutriheal). Her thesis was: "Prevalence of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Children in the Mediterranean area and their relationship with Mediterranean Nutrition" in cooperation with the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.

Prof. John G. Yovos studied medicine in the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He completed his training in Internal Medicine in AHEPA University Hospital and obtained the Board certification. He completed his Endocrine Training in Ohio State University Hospitals, USA and enrolled as assistant Professor of Endocrinology and Metabolism in the Endocrine Division of OSU. He returned to Greece and he was director of the Endocrine Division of the 1st Medical Clinic of the Aristotle University as associate and full professor of Medicine and Endocrinology. He created the Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology in the 1st Medical clinic and now he is Professor Emeritus of the Medical school of AUTH. His main research interests include Diabetes and Bone Metabolic diseases. He published More than 100 full papers in peer-view International Journals.

Stelios Tigas, MD, PhD, MRCP(UK) is Assistant Professor of Endocrinology at the University of Ioannina Medical School and Head of the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital of Ioannina, Greece. He is a graduate of Athens University Medical School and completed his medical training in the UK where he specialized in Endocrinology and Diabetes as well as in General (Internal) Medicine. He has previously worked as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA (1999-2001), as a Clinical Lecturer in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Internal Medicine in London, UK (Guys & St Thomas’ Hospital, Kings College London, 2001 – 2005) and as a Lecturer in Internal Medicine in the University of Thessaly Medical School (2007-2009). His research interests include the study of diabetes and metabolism in humans as well as clinical endocrinology including endocrine cancer. His work has been presented in national and international meetings and published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and book chapters. He is a reviewer in 23 scientific journals and a supervisor of 4 PhD students. He is a member of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), Edinburgh, the European Society for Endocrinology and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes.

Got B.Sc degree in 2000 from Istanbul University, Faculty of Science, Biology. Got M.Sc and Ph.D degrees in 2003 and 2009, respectively from Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology. Worked at Rutgers, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology / Department of Neuroscience, NJ., USA in 2007 and 2011 as a volunteer researcher. She was PI of three, Co-PI of six TUBITAK Grants that were focused on molecular mechanisms of vitamin D, neurodegeneration.

Born in 1977. Got B.Sc degree in 2000 from Istanbul University, Faculty of Science, Biology. Got M.Sc and Ph.D degrees in 2003 and 2009, respectively from Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology. Got the title of Assoc. Prof. in 2014. Worked at Rutgers, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology / Department of Neuroscience, NJ., USA in 2007 and 2011 as a volunteer researcher. He was PI of two, Co-PI of six TUBITAK Grants that were focused on molecular mechanisms of vitamin D, neurodegeneration, Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Panagiotis G. Anagnostis has completed his basic medical training (MD) (2002) and received his PhD (on “Prevalence and management of osteoporosis in hemophilic patients”) from the Medical School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece (2013). He was also awarded a MSc degree from the Open University of Cyprus (in “Health Services Policy”) (2016). He completed his fellowship training in Endocrinology & Diabetes at the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes of Hippokration Hospital of Thessaloniki, Greece) (2012). Having had a scholarship from the European Society of Endocrinology and the Endocrine Society of the USA (International Endocrine Scholarship Program, 2013), he completed his post-doctoral training as a Clinical Research Fellow (Honorary Specialist Registrar) in the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, St Mary’s Hospital, Imperial College of London, UK (2014). During his post-doctoral training, except for his academic research activity, he had also the opportunity to attend and participate in specialized menopause clinics in London, UK. He has also received a grant from the Hellenic Atherosclerosis society for his post-doctoral training abroad (2014) and a postgraduate award for Distinguished Research Activity (2010, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki).

Dr. Georgitsi graduated from the Department of Biology of AUTh and obtained her PhD on Human Genetics at the Department of Medicine, University of Helsinki in Finland. She worked as a post-doctoral researcher at Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Department of Pharmacy (University of Patras) and the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (Democritus University of Thrace). In 2012 she received the national L’ORÉAL-UNESCO prize “For Women in Science”. In 2014 she was elected Lecturer and in 2016 Assistant Professor of Medical Biology-Genetics.

Parthena Giannoulaki is a clinical Dietitian with Bsc in Nutrition and Dietetics and MSc in Public Health. She is the Head Dietitian of Department of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Nutrition Advisory Outpatient Office of AHEPA, University General Hospital of Thessaloniki. She is lecturer of MSc course in Nutrition in Health and Disease in Medicine School of University of Thessaly and Instructor and coordinator of the MSc course in Clinical Nutrition of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics of the Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki. She is specialized in medical nutrition therapy of diabetes mellitus.

Prof. Dimitrios G. Goulis, having a scholarship from the European Union, acquired the specialty of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism from St. Mary’s Hospital, Imperial College, London, UK. His main research interests include Andrology, menopausal transition and endocrine complications of pregnancy. He has published more than 220 full papers in peer-review international journals. He is currently Head of the Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; scientific director of the Thessaloniki training center in Andrology of the European Academy of Andrology; Secretary General of the European Academy of Andrology; and Secretary General of the European Menopause and Andropause Society.

Dr Panagiotis V. Tsaklis, is a full Professor at the Department of Physiotherapy of the Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki (ATEITH) and the Director of the Laboratory of Biomechanics and Ergonomics at the department of Physiotherapy. He is a appointed Associate at the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery at the Karolinska Institutet, Sweden. He is the scientific Director of the Center of Education and Lifelong Learning (CELL) of ATEITH. By training, he holds a BSc in Physiotherapy (ATEITH, 1987) and a BSc on Physical Education and Sports Sciences (Democritus Univ of Thrace, 1991). He named a PhD on Exercise Biology, from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (2001). He was a PostDoctoral researcher (postDoc studies fellowship) at the Karolinska Institutet Sweden, on the field of Biomechanics and Motor Control (2005-2006). He was trained on "Tissue Engineering" at the department HST – Harvard Medical School & MIT (2007). He was senior researcher and lecturer at the departments NVS & Public Health Sciences of Karolinska Institutet (2005-2009).

Elias Castanas, MD, PhD, DSc holds an MD Degree from the University of Athens, School of Medicine (1975), a PhD degree from the same University (1978), a degree in Endocrinology and Metabolism (University of Aix-Marseille II, School of Medicine, France, 1980), a PhD degree in Molecular and cellular Biology (University Aix-Marseille II, School of Sciences (1981) and a DSc degree from the same University (1985). He has worked at the School of Medicine (1978-81) and INSERM (1981-1986). After moving to Crete, Greece, he was elected Professor of Experimental Endocrinology. He is a founding member of the School of Medicine and the University Hospital of Heraklion and served at different administrative positions at these two establishments (including Board member in both institutions). Since 1990-now, he served at the EU R&D Directorate at different positions (evaluator, auditor, panel coordinator, member of the advisory committee). He also served as a member and evaluator of the Pasteur Institute, Greece, and is an evaluator for the Italian, French and Czech science committees. In 2016 he was nominated as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Rome. His research is focused in hormone-dependent cancer (breast, prostate) and especially in endocrine-immune interactions and the extranuclear role of steroids.

Dr. Fatme Al Anouti is an associate professor at Zayed University Department of Natural Science and Public Health, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. She is the Assistant Dean of the College of Natural and Health Sciences. She holds a PhD degree in Clinical Biochemistry and M.Sc in Clinical Chemistry and another in medical Microbiology and Immunology. Her current research looks into the biochemical and genetic basis of Vitamin D Deficiency among UAE nationals. Her most recent work with other researchers had resulted in the publication of clinical guidelines for vitamin D within the UAE. She has been awarded the Abu Dhabi Medical Distinction Award for research contributions in public health field pertaining to vitamin D studies within the UAE. She has numerous publications and presentations at international and national conferences and is a member of many professional organizations like the American Association of Clinical Chemistry, Vitamin D council and the UAE Genetic Diseases Association.

PRESENT EMPLOYMENT / Associate Dean for Research and Enterprise, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing, Kingston University – June 2016 to date.  Professor of Biomolecular Sciences, Kingston University, Surrey, UK - 2005 to date / PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT: Senior Lecturer in Chemical Biology, University of Brighton - 1999-2005 / Research Fellow, School of Pharmacy, University of Bath – 1997-1999 / Honorary Lecturer, Inflammation Research Group, St. Bartholomew’s & the Royal London School of Medicine - 1992-1997 / Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Bone and Joint Unit, London Hospital Medical School - 1989-1992
EDUCATION: PhD in Biological Chemistry, Trinity College, Dublin, 1989 / BSc (Hons) Chemistry, University College Dublin, 1984 / Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, 2017  / RECENT RESEARCH FUNDING (2007 – date) Over 20 projects have been awarded external funding over the past decade including studentships and post-doctoral assistants, exceeding £1.3 million in income generation from research councils (BBSRC and MRC), industry, charities, government and NGOs.

Full Professor of Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Disciplines, “Sapienza”, University of Rome / Summary of experience: President of the Italian Society of Osteoporosis, Mineral Metabolism and Skeletal Diseases (SIOMMMS) (2009-2011) / Member of the Professional Practice Committe of American Society of Bone and Mineral Research (2009-2011) / Member of the Executive Committee of the Italian Society of Internal Medicine (2014-2018) / At present: Associated Editor of Journal of Endocrinological Investigation; Senior Editor of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism Case Reports; L’ Endocrinologo. Member of Editorial Board of Calcified Tissue International / Has authored and co-authored more than 240 articles in international peer-reviewed journals and written several reviews and book chapters. H-index: 46 / Reviewer for more than 50 Journals / Professional experience: Full Professor of Internal Medicine, Head/Chief physician of in-patients and out-patients services at Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Disciplines, Policlinico Umberto I. Principal investigator of many international trials especially related to experimental new drugs in the field of osteoporosis.

Academic training: 1999: Medical exams, University Medical School, Saint-Etienne, France, / 2005: Medical Resident Exams, University Medical School, Saint-Etienne, France, / 2007: Title for Medical Doctor, University Medical School, Saint-Etienne, France, / 2007: Master of Science, University Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, France, / 2008: Post-graduate diploma in Internal Medicine, University Medical School, Saint-Etienne, France, / 2009: Post-graduate diploma in Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University, Medical School, Angers, France, / 2009: Post-graduate diploma in Statistical analysis, University Claude Bernard-Lyon I, Lyon, France, / 2011: Title for Philosophiae Doctor, University of Angers, Angers, France, / 2012: Post-doctoral fellowship in Geriatric medicine and Medical Biophysics, Lawson
Health Research Institute and Robarts Research Institute, the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada, / 2012: French National Council of Universities: Associate Professor of Geriatric, Medicine and Biology of Aging, / 2014: Accreditation to Supervise Research (HDR), University of Angers, Angers,France, / 2017: French National Council of Universities: Full Professor of Geriatric Medicine and Biology of Aging

William B. Grant has a Ph.D. in physics followed by a 30-year career in laser remote sensing of atmospheric trace species. He began health studies in 1997, publishing the first paper linking dietary factors to risk of Alzheimer's disease. His 2002 paper in Cancer reported inverse correlations between UVB doses and mortality rates for 13 types of cancer in the U.S.. To date, he has 151 publications on vitamin D and cancer listed at pubmed.gov, of which 82 also relate to ultraviolet exposure.