MICHAEL DERMITZAKIS

Director
Department of Paleontology and Historical Geology
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Teaching

[The Academia of Athens]

Without teaching, there is no future for geology. I consider it as one of my primary goals to educate the students, to pass valuable knowledge to the next generations. Under my guidance, about fourty theses were defended between 1977 and today, nine more are in preparation. In practice, this involved my participation in the advisory committees, the providing of information, suggestions, criticism or the original research idea, and the discussions on various research matters. For students of other disciplines, such as archaeology, museology and conservation I recently co-organized a summer school in Lesvos about important issues concerning natural history collections.
Not only students have to be educated, this is also valid for the general public. In public lectures, popular papers and booklets, I explain geological and evolutionary processes to the people.

[Doctoral Theses (PhD)] [Master of Science/Philosophy Theses (MSc)]

[Summer Schools] [Education of the public]

Doctoral Theses (PhD)

[Evolution of the canid brain, PhD G. Lyras (2007)]

[Coccolithophores from Andros island, PhD M. Dimiza (2006)]

[Marine sediments from Gavdos island, PhD N. Tsaparas (2005)]

[Geology of Greek show caves, PhD V. Giannopoulos (2000)]

[Neogene Turritellidae from Greece, PhD E. Koskeridou (1995)]

1982 G. Theodorou. The fossil dwarf Elephants of Charkadio Cave at Telos island (Dodecanesses). PhD thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 236p. Athens.
1983 C. Doukas.Insectivores from the Lower Miocene of the island of Evia (Greece). PhD thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Dept. of Hist.Geology and Paleontology, 87p., 10 figs, 3 tab., 4 plates. Athens.
1984 S. Theodoridis. Calcareous Nannofossil Biozonation of the Miocene and revision of the Helicoliths and Discoasters. PhD thesis, Utrecht Micropaleontological Bulletin 32, 272p. Utrecht.
1986 C. Nikolaou. Contribution to the study of Neogene and Geological concepts of the Ionian and Preapulian zone and their boundaries in relation to hydrocarbon exploration mainly on Strophades, Zakynthos and Cephallonia. PhD thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 350p. Athens.
1987 G. Fermeli. Study of the Molassic deposits of the Tsotylion Formation from the Mesohellenic Trough (Micropaleontology and Biostratigraphy). PhD thesis. National Technical University of Athens, 308p. Athens.
1988 E. Lekkas. Geological structure and geotectonic evolution of Koziakas Mountain (W.Thessaly), PhD thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Geological Monographies 1, 281p. Athens.
1989 G. Syrides. Lithostratigraphic, Biostratigraphic and paleogeographic study of Neogene-Quaternary formations of Chalkidiki peninsula. PhD thesis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 211p. Thessaloniki.
1990 V. Karakitsios. Chronologie et Geometrie de l'ouverure d'une basin et de son enversion. Tectonique: le basin Ionien (Epire, Grece). These de l'Universite Pierre et Marie Curie, 310p. Paris.
1991 M. Vlachou. Mineralogical Petrological and Geochemical Study of Sedimentary Formation. Drilling of 2000m in the area of Katakolon (Ilis, W.Greece). PhD thesis, National Technical University of Athens, 205p. Athens.
1993 M. Triantaphyllou. Biostratigraphic and ecostratigraphic observations based on calcaleous nannofossils, of Eastern Mediterranenan Plio-Pleistocene sediments. Phd Thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Gaia 1, 226p. Athens.
1993 I. Bassiakos. Chronology of cave fossils and cave deposits following the method of Electronic Spin Regulation and study of subterranean karsts morphology and relative radiometric and geological conditions in speleoenvironments of Diros (Mani region). Phd Thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Athens.
1994 N. Carras. The carbonate platform of Parnassos during the Upper Jurassic � Lower Cretaceous (stratigraphy and paleogeographic evolution). Phd Thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 310p. Athens.
1995 E. Koskeridou. Neogene Turritellidae of Greece. Phd Thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Gaia 3, 274p., Athens.
1996 H. Drinia. Clastic sedimentation of Late Cenozoic deposits in Western Crete. Phd Thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Gaia 4, 274p. Athens.
1998 A. Athanassiou. Contribution to the study of the fossil mammals of Thessaly. Phd Thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Gaia 5, 354p. Athens.
2000 C. Theocharopoulos. Late Oligocene-Middle Miocene Democricetodon, Spanocricetodon and Karydomys N. Gen. from the Eastern Mediterranean area. Phd Thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Gaia 8, 92p. Athens.
2000 G. Rigakis. Contribution to the stratigraphic investigation of Drillings and sections from Western Greece in relation to the ability of organic material. Phd Thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Athens.
2000 V. Giannopoulos. Geological and environmental observations on Show caves of Greece. Phd Thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Athens.
2001 A. Antonarakou. Biochronology and Paleoenvironmental studies of Middle Miocene on the deposits of Eastern Mediterranean (Gavdos island). Phd Thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Athens.
2001 N. Nikolopoulos. Dynamic statigraphy and sedimentation history of the island of Karpathos and adjacent areas. Phd Thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Athens.
2002 K. Kouli. Paleoecological and paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the region of Neolithic settlement Dispilio (Lake of Kastoria, Greece). Phd Thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Athens.
2005 G. Bathrellos. Geological, geomorphological and geographic study of urban areas in Western Thessaly (Trikala prefecture). Phd Thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 367p. Athens.
2005 N. Tsaparas. Contribution to the sedimentary history of the upper Cenozoic marine sediments of Gavdos island. Phd Thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Athens.
2006 M. Dimiza. The study of recent coccolithophore biocommunities in the coastal environments of Andros island and their correlation to the late Quaternary formations from central Aegean Sea. Phd Thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 265 p. Athens.
2006 J. Bakopoulos. Stratigraphic and sedimentological structure of the Ionian zone in relation to hydrocarbons immigration and trapping. Phd Thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 429 p. Athens.
2006 E. Stathopoulou. Contribution to the study of the internal micromorphology and fossilization of Cenozoic vertebrates using radioanalytical techniques. Phd Thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Athens.
2007 G. Lyras. Paleoneurological study of the Canidae: Brain evolution and its role in carnivore ecology. Phd Thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 173 p. Athens. English version forthcoming (Scripta Geologica).
2008 T. Tsourou. The study of recent ostracod faunas in the coastal environments of Andros Island related to Late Cenozoic assemblages from central Aegean Sea. Phd Thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
in prep L. Koletti. Stratigraphic and Micropaleontological investigations of the Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous pelagic formations of the Central Pindos and their correlation to the analogous formations of the Italian Peninsula. ). Phd Thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
in prep. G. Kontakiotis. Climatic changes during the last 150 kyr in the Eastern Mediterranean (SE Aegean, Cretan Sea, Libyan Sea): The Planktonic foraminifera as paleoceanographic bioindicators.
in prep. I. Margaritis. Chronology of stratigraphical, palaeontological and palaeoenvironmental material (fossilized molluscan tests, mammal teeth etc.) following the method of Electronic Spins Regulation ESR. Phd Thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
in prep. S. Pomonis. Contribution to the study of Thymiana Formation in the construction Industry. Phd Thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
in prep. Vadim Bekeru. Raw materials and energy policy in the Balkans. Phd Thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
in prep. O. Koukousioura. Benthic Forafinifera as environmental indicators of coastal marine environments during the last 10.000 years (S. Evoikos gulf, Thermaikos gulf).

Master of Science/Philosophy Theses (MSc)

[Neogene ostracods from Lesvos, N. Pavlakelli (1986)]

[Greek caves and tourism, M. Triantaphyllou (1992)]

1986 N. Pavlakelli. The study of Neogene Ostracods from Lesvos island (Aegean, Greece). Master of Science thesis, University of London, 87p., London.
1989 H. Drinia. Shallow marine, sandy carbonate clastic sedimentation basin in a forearc basin (Kalamavka Formation, Late Serravallian-Early Tortonia, E.Crete). Master of Philosophy thesis, University of Eastern Anglia, 123 p., Norwich, UK.
1989 E. Monogiou. Shallow marine, gravelly carbonate clastic sedimentation during compressional tectonics (Prina complex, Serravallia, E.Crete) Master of Philosophy thesis, University of Eastern Anglia, 122 p., Norwich, UK.
1992 M. Triantaphyllou. Greek caves and touristic development. Master of Science thesis, Panteion University of Athens, 85p., Athens.
2000 G. Bathrellos. Geological heritage and Geological natural monuments. Master of Science Thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 131p., Athens.
2001 M. Dimiza. Contribution to the ecostratigraphic and paleoecologic study of the Upper Pliocene sediments of Greece (Crete, Zakynthos, Cephallynia). Master of Science thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 140p., Athens.
2001 G. Lyras. The neurology of Canidae. Master of Science thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 140p., Athens.
2002 T. Tsourou. Neogene lacustrine ostracods of Greece. Master of Science thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 140p., Athens.
2004 G. Kontakiotis. Biostratigraphy and paleoenvironmental study of Upper Miocene pre-evaporitic deposits of Gavdos Island, based on benthic and planktonic foraminifera. Master of Science Thesis, 162 p., Athens.
2005 O. Koukousioura. Micropaleontological study of the recent benthic foraminifera of the marine environments of Andros Island and investigation of their role as new environmental proxies. Master of Science Thesis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens.
in prep. F. Tripolitsiotou. Study of the Geotope of Korinth and applications in museum education, Athens.
in prep. K. Kemmeridou. Micropaleontological and stratigraphical research of Upper Cretaceous formations of the Eastern Greece platform in Boeotia.

Summer Schools

[Logo of the Summer School on Lesvos (2006)]

"Geological and Palaeontological Heritage. Retrieval, Conservation, Management and Display", 21st-26th of August 2006, Lesvos Island (Vrisa), Greece. Go to the Summer School page.

In August 2006, the postgraduate course of Museum Studies of the University of Athens in collaboration with the Technological Institute of Athens organized an intensive course on a range of subjects related to Geological and Palaeontological Heritage and Monuments.
The course was developed to provide an overall outlook of Geological Heritage in an interdisciplinary manner. We aimed at students with a level of proficiency in the domain of geological heritage or in a broadly defined field of conservation, museum practice and collections management. I was appointed tutor, in collaboration with the vice-tutor, Professor G. Panagiaris, Head of the Department of Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art at the Technological Educational Institute of Athens. Apart from my organizing activities, I also participated actively with a welcome speeches and two lectures: one entitled "What is Geological and Palaeontological Heritage", the other "Unique Attributes, Interest and Significance of Geological and Palaeontological Heritage".
The topics covered by the Summer School fell under Retrieval (first day), Environmental hazards and conservation issues (2nd day), Management (3rd day), Display (4th day), Workshop (5th day) and a Field Excursion (6th day). The location of Lesvos island was selected due to its rich paleontological and geological heritage which is directly involved with the topic of the summer school.

"The Cosmos they gave me Hellenic", 3rd Summer School, 20th-26th of August 2007, Delphi, Greece. Go to the Summer School page.

Under the aegis of the University of Athens and the direction of the "Biophysical Environment: Neuroscience and Learning" laboratory and the scientific responsibility of the post-graduate direction: "Sociobiology, Neuroscience and Education", a post-graduate level summer school is held every August, each time with a different thematical. This year the Third Summer School is organised, coinciding with the celebration of the 170th anniversary of the University of Athens. The thematic areas of the lectures aim at demonstrating the fact that the Hellenic Civilisation, specifically the Hellenic system of values, contain the answers to some fundamental questions/challenges of our time and give solutions to the problems of the age we live in. On this basis, the following thematic fields have been chosen: Society-Economy, Policy (national and international), Education-Civilization, Bioethics-Environment, Science-Scientific Deontology. I am not only member of the Organizing Committee, but also one of the instructors with a focus on Environment.

"Eco-Geography of the Mediterranean", 4th Summer Ecological University, 2nd-20th of July 2001, Skyros Island, Greece. Go to the Summer School page.

Since 1998, INIER organizes an annual series of seminars and lectures, each year taking place on a different Greek Island. The �Summer Ecological University� is a three-week, half-day plenary session, comprising also afternoon lectures and extra-curriculum activities. Addressed to adults (researchers and professionals in the environment sector of public and private agencies, NGOs, primary and secondary education teachers, undergraduate or postgraduate students etc), the Summer University aims at raising awareness and promoting environmental information and education.
The fourth �Summer Ecological University� was held on the island of Skyros. It was organised by INIER in collaboration with the University of Thessalia with the support of the Hellenic Ministry of Environment 2001. For this Summer University, I presented lectures on Geology and Palaeontology of the Mediterranean, in collaboration with Dr Hara Drinia. These lectures were part of the sessions about Place and History.

Education of the public

[Our stand for vertebrate palaeontology,2006]

[First issue (1979) of the first Greek stamp with a paleontological subject]

I held several lectures for the general public and for the broader scientific community. Topics varied, according to the occassion, and ranged from general geology, geotopes and geological monuments to environmental protection and the view on earth and life of classical philosophers. In addition, I wrote several popular papers on various subjects, for example about the evolution of cats and dogs, and about flight in extinct reptiles for the Greek journal Geo.
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My popular booklets, written around specimens from our museum, aim at high school students, but are also suitable for the highest class of the elementary school. The booklets form a series, called Sto Museio (In the Museum), and highlight a certain extinct animal and its relatives or an ecosystem. The booklet about the Mosasaurus for example, is centred around the extinct reptile of that name, but also gives information about other members of its family, its discovery and its impact on the emergence of the science of palaeontology. At present, I'm involved in a booklet about extinct island faunas for the same series. Apart from the booklets, I am also involved in making an educational CD-rom about evolution and fossils, mainly meant to be used in our museum, but also suitable for use at schools. A web-version will be made available as well.

Almost every year I am involved in the organization and implementation of the "Science Week". During this week, generally held in July, scientific research is presented to the public as attractive and easy-to-understand as possible. In this way, science comes within reach for everyone. This is necessary, if we want to invite future generations to come to the university to study and do research. In 2006, our Faculty was represented by vertebrate palaeontology and micropalaeontology. For the stand of vertebrate palaeontology, I invited the painter Alexis Vlachos to make reconstructions of extinct animals. With posters, texts and casts of fossils, we explained their role in the ecosystem of their time.

Education of the public goes further than expositions, exhibits and public lessons. Much of the information that reaches the general public comes through the media and objects. Stamps are often an overlooked class, yet are important in transferring knowledge. The depictions on stamps make people aware. A case in which I was involved was the first Greek stamp with a paleontological subject. The stamp depicts a fossil fish with the scientific name Mene psarianosi, an extinct relative of the moonfish of today. Moonfish nowadays live only in the Indo-Pacific Ocean, but in the past they had a much wider distribution, including the Eastern Mediterranean. The fossil fish from the stamp was found in Crete, near Ierapietra, my birth town. To promote knowledge and awareness of paleontological findings in the area, I participated in the first exhibition of Cretan stamps by the Philotelic Club of Herakleon on Crete between Oct. 25 - Nov. 2 in 1986, seven years after its first issue. I prepared a poster for the occassion, with depictions of the fossil and interesting historical facts.

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