Konstantinos Vaziourakis

PhD student at Department of Ecology and Genetics; Limnology

E-mail:
konstantinos.vaziourakis@ebc.uu.se
Visiting address:
Evolutionsbiologiskt centrum (EBC)
Norbyvägen 18 D
752 36 Uppsala
Postal address:
Norbyvägen 18 D
752 36 Uppsala

Short presentation

I am PhD candidate in limnology with focus on organic matter biogeochemistry, microbial metabolism, and greenhouse gas fluxes. My project investigates the mechanisms driving carbon turnover rates, emphasizing on the connections between terrestrial and aquatic environments under climate change conditions. I am also committed to science communication and actively explore innovative ways to convey scientific concepts through the integration of art.

Keywords

  • biogeochemistry
  • greenhouse gas
  • microbial metabolism
  • organic matter
  • respiratory quotient
  • science communication

Biography

2020 – Present: PhD candidate in Limnology

Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, Sweden

Thesis: Evaluating the controls on organic matter decomposition across ecosystems

Supervisors: Dr. Lars Tranvik and Dr. Dolly Kothawala

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2017 – 2019: MSc in Environmental Oceanography

Department of Geology, University of Patras, Greece

Thesis: Biogeochemistry and microbial ecology of shallow marine sediments from methane seeps, Katakolo bay, Western Greece

Supervisors: Dr. George Papatheodorou, Dr. Konstantinos Kormas and Dr. Andreas Teske

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2019: Erasmus+ Placement Mobility/ Traineeship

Max-Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, Germany

Skills obtained: Epifluorescence microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy, DNA extraction, PCR and phylogenetic analysis

Supervisors: Dr. Katrin Knittel and Dr. Rudolf Amann

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2012 – 2016: BSc in Geology

Department of Geology, University of Patras, Greece

Thesis: Study of the sedimentological processes of the ancient shipwreck of Mazotos (Cyprus) based on mineralogical and geochemical data

Supervisors: Dr. George Papatheodorou and Dr. Maria Geraga

Research

In our group, we aim to identify fundamental factors that constrain organic matter (OM) degradation across diverse ecosystems, including soils, peats, sediments, and waters. By collecting and analyzing a wide variety of environmental samples, my research focuses on two key concepts.

Firstly, I investigate the respiratory quotient (the ratio of moles of CO2 produced to moles of O2 consumed during aerobic respiration) across ecosystems, exploring its magnitude and the environmental or biogeochemical factors that regulate it. This provides insights into the balance of carbon substrates used during respiration and their implications for ecosystem metabolism.

Secondly, I study the energy content of OM using bomb calorimetry as a universal proxy for organic matter degradation across ecosystem boundaries. This approach allows us to assess the energetic dynamics of OM decomposition and their role in carbon cycling.

From these studies, I have gained valuable experience in field campaigns and the use of advanced gas analysis techniques, particularly membrane inlet mass spectrometry (MIMS). My work with MIMS focuses on improving its potential for analyzing a variety of gases, both dissolved and in the headspace of incubation bottles, enhancing our ability to characterize greenhouse gas emissions in both aquatic and terrestrial environments.


Currently, as part of the Baltic Sea Festival Science Lab 2023, I performed the piece "The circle of life" to explain the importance of organic matter decomposition for our ecosystems functioning. The whole project aimed to bring in contact early career researchers with music composers to inspire various audiences raising their awareness for global environmental changes.

Publications

Selection of publications

Recent publications

All publications

Articles

Konstantinos Vaziourakis

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