Dr. Christos Ioakeimidisis a Marine Scientist with a multidisciplinaryscientificbackgroundinthefieldsofEnvironmentalSciences,Oceanology,Oceanography, with expert skills on Marine Litter. He holds a Ph.D onmarine litter, peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals,posters/symposiumpapers,reports,andheisoneofthemainauthorsof“Hazardous Chemicals Associated with Plastics in the Environment”(Springer Publishing). He has participated in several research and

monitoring cruises in the EasternMediterranean Sea (benthic litter, floatingmicroplasticsand on sediment) and he is member of the Technical Group onMarine Litter (ECMSFDTGML).Hehasbeenemployedinboththeprivateandpublicsectors,inpositionsofresponsibility:ScientificConsultantattheGreekMinistryofRuralDevelopmentandFood,MarineResearchOfficeratthePresidencyoftheCounciloftheEUinCyprus,GuestLecturerattheUniversityoftheAegean,ResearchAssociateattheHellenicCentreforMarineResearch(2013-2016)workingforthePERSEUS(FP7)ResearchProject(T2.3.5MarineLitter)alongwithofferinghisexpertise at theMarine Group of the European Topic Center (ETC/ICM) of the EuropeanEnvironmentAgency(EEA).HewasactivelyinvolvedindevelopingtheEEA’scitizen-scienceMarineLitterWatch(MLW)smartphoneAppandintroducedmarinelitter inenvironmentaleducationinGreece.CurrentlyheworksfortheUnitedNationsEnvironmentProgramMediterraneanActionPlan(UNEP/MAP) and itsMEDPOL Programme as aMarine Litter Expertwith special focus toprevent, control and effective management of marine litter in the Mediterranean Seathrough the implementation of the Regional Plan onMarine LitterManagement and the“MarineLitterMEDProject”.Throughhisinvolvementinthestudyofmarinelitter,ChristoshasdevelopedcollaborationsinboththeMediterraneanandBlackSeasandhasgeneratednewknowledgeinthefield.