Panayiotis Kalkavouras

Dr Panayiotis Kalkavouras (PK) is an experimental physicist who specialises in atmospheric physics and chemistry. He holds an MSc in Environmental Physics and Meteorology from the Department of Physics at the University of Athens, as well as a PhD in Atmospheric Chemistry from the Department of Chemistry at the University of Crete.

He is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the School of Natural Sciences (Physics) at the University of Galway (Ireland), where he is actively involved in the Irish network of the European research infrastructure ICOS (Integrated Carbon Observation System). His work focuses on the operation, calibration and quality assurance of greenhouse gas (CH₄, CO₂, CO) measurements across multiple atmospheric reference stations.

Previously, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute for Environmental Research and Sustainable Development of the National Observatory of Athens (ΝΟΑ), where he was responsible for the operation and upgrade of the Thissio Air Pollution Monitoring Station.

His research focuses on in-situ atmospheric measurements, the physicochemical characterisation of aerosols, the new particle formation mechanism, the aerosols-clouds interactions, air quality and its impact on human health.

PK has over ten years' experience in experimental atmospheric measurements, playing a pivotal role in operating and scientifically exploiting internationally recognised atmospheric research stations. These include the Finokalia Atmospheric Observatory (University of Crete), the Thissio Air Pollution Monitoring Station (Athens) and the Mace Head Atmospheric Research Station (Ireland). A central part of his work has involved contributing to the PANGEA Observatory (Panhellenic Geophysical Observatory of Antikythera), a national research infrastructure of strategic importance for the south-eastern Mediterranean. 

He has extensive expertise in advanced atmospheric instrumentation and data analysis, including SMPS, CCN counters, ACSM, PTR-MS, aethalometers, nephelometers, aerosol samplers and greenhouse gas analysers. His research also encompasses the source apportionment of fine and ultrafine particles, as well as their impact on public health.

He has participated in numerous national and European research projects and currently serves as Principal Investigator on 2 funded research projects. He has presented his work at 43 international conferences and is the author of 25 peer-reviewed publications (h-index: 15; 721 citations, Scopus). He has also gained teaching experience at the Department of Environment at the University of the Aegean (2023–2025).