Assist. Prof. Dr. Nikoletta Ntalli | Pesticides | Best Researcher Award
Assistant Professor at University of Thessaly, Greece
Assist. Prof. Dr. Nikoletta Ntalli is a leading researcher and academic in the fields of pesticides, analytical chemistry, and biopesticides. She currently holds the position of Assistant Professor at the University of Thessaly, Greece, in the Department of Agriculture, Crop Production, and Rural Environment. Her research primarily focuses on sustainable plant protection, with an emphasis on developing and evaluating biopesticides derived from natural sources. Dr. Ntalli has an extensive background in agricultural sciences and has worked across multiple institutions in Greece, Italy, and Poland. She has contributed significantly to pesticide research, including the assessment of pesticide residues, their environmental impact, and the development of novel bioactive formulations. As an active member of scientific societies, a reviewer for numerous high-impact journals, and an editor for special journal issues, she has gained wide recognition in her field. Her work has been cited extensively, reflecting her influence on modern agricultural and pesticide sciences.
Education 
Dr. Ntalli earned her B.Sc. in Agriculture from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, in 1999. She continued her studies at the same institution, obtaining her M.Sc. in Agriculture in 2005, where her thesis focused on the chemical control of Thrips tabacci for the prevention of TSWV in tobacco crops. In 2010, she completed her Ph.D. in Agriculture, researching the control of Meloidogyne incognita in greenhouse tomatoes using natural substances of botanical origin. Expanding her expertise further, she pursued a second Ph.D. in Toxicology at the University of Cagliari, Italy, completing it in 2016. Her doctoral research in toxicology explored phytochemical approaches in pesticide and biocide development. Throughout her academic journey, Dr. Ntalli has been awarded multiple research fellowships and scholarships, supporting her extensive studies in plant protection, pesticide chemistry, and sustainable agricultural practices.
work Experience
Dr. Ntalli’s professional experience spans both academia and industry. From 2000 to 2004, she worked as a Principal Investigator at Bayer CropScience Greece, conducting research on pesticide residues and efficacy under international guidelines. In 2011, she joined Expedia Srl in Italy, where she specialized in preparing Biological Assessment Dossiers and draft Registration Reports for plant protection products in compliance with European regulations. From 2015 to 2022, she served as a Researcher at the Benaki Phytopathological Institute in Greece, contributing to pesticide control and biological assessment. Since February 2022, she has been an Assistant Professor at the University of Thessaly, where she teaches and conducts research in pesticide chemistry, biopesticides, and analytical chemistry. Her career reflects a strong balance between applied research and academic leadership, shaping the future of sustainable plant protection.
Research Focus
Dr. Ntalli’s research is centered on sustainable plant protection, with a primary focus on biopesticides and their efficacy in controlling pests while minimizing environmental risks. She specializes in the study of pesticide residues and their fate in the environment, ensuring safety for both human health and ecosystems. Her work includes the extraction and isolation of bioactive compounds from plant sources, aiming to develop eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic pesticides. Additionally, she investigates the side effects of pesticides on non-target organisms, contributing to regulatory frameworks and risk assessment studies. With expertise in toxicology, Dr. Ntalli also explores the mechanisms of action of natural pesticides, advancing the field of biological control and integrated pest management. Her research aligns with global efforts toward reducing chemical pesticide dependence and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Awards & Honors🏆
Dr. Ntalli has received numerous prestigious awards and scholarships throughout her academic and research career. She was a recipient of the Ph.D. Scholarship from the State Scholarships Foundation in Greece and earned multiple Distinction Awards from the Research Committee of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki for both her Ph.D. and Post-Doctoral studies. She was also awarded the Mediterranean Group of Pesticide Research (MGPR) Scholarship, supporting her contributions to the field of pesticide development. Additionally, she participated in the Leonardo Da Vinci Training Grant program, which facilitated her research exchange. Dr. Ntalli secured a Ph.D. Scholarship from the University of Cagliari, Italy, for her research in toxicology. Further demonstrating her expertise, she was appointed as the national representative of Greece in the Commodity Expert Group (CEG) for Plant Protection Products’ Minor Uses from 2015 to 2022, playing a key role in shaping plant protection policies.
🛠️ Skills
Dr. Ntalli possesses a diverse skill set that spans analytical chemistry, regulatory science, and biological control methodologies. She is highly proficient in pesticide residue analysis, formulation chemistry, and chemical composition analysis of natural bioactive compounds. Her expertise extends to the regulatory approval of pesticides, ensuring compliance with international standards. In addition to her scientific capabilities, she has strong editorial and peer-review skills, having contributed to numerous high-impact journals as an editor and reviewer. She is also multilingual, holding a Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (C2) and an advanced diploma in Italian (C1), enabling her to collaborate on international research projects. Her combined skills in scientific research, technical analysis, and academic leadership make her a key contributor to the field of pesticide science and agricultural sustainability.
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