Dr. Michalis Pavlidis (https://michalispavlidis-lab.eu/), a biologist, is a professor of “Biology and Physiology of Marine Organisms” in the Department of Biology at the University of Crete. Since September 2024, he has been a member of the Governing Council of the University of Crete. Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of the University of Crete Asset Management & Development Company (2022 – present) . Head of the Technology Transfer and Innovation Unit at the University of Crete (2020–present). Served as Vice Rector for Research and Development, as well as Director of the Center for Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure and Services at the University of Crete (2020–2024). National representative on the SCAR (Standing Committee on Agricultural Research)-Fish strategic working group (2017–2025).
His current research focuses on the scientific field of – Fish Endocrinology, specifically on the physiology of stress, the development of reliable welfare assessment indicators, and the improvement of proper handling of farmed fish species, as well as animal models for research (zebrafish). He has participated in more than 35 European, transnational, and national research projects and networks and has over 100 publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Coordinator and co-author of the study “Welfare of Mediterranean Fish: Guide to Good Practices and Assessment Indicators” (2019), which was approved and ratified by the Directorate of Animal Protection, General Directorate of Veterinary Medicine of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, and now serves as the National Guide for the aquaculture sector. Coordinator and co-author of the study “Animal welfare of farmed fish” (2023) for the European Parliament. Coordinator of the joint Erasmus Plus International Master’s program “Aquaculture, Environment, and Society – ACES STAR.” Since February 2024, he has been the Director/Coordinator of the European Union Reference Centre for the Welfare of Aquatic Animals.
