Physical Sciences [Experimental Physics] (2001)
He was born at Pentakomo, Limassol, in 1937. He obtained his B.Sc. degree (1960) from the Physics Department of the University of Athens and his Ph.D. (1963) and D.Sc. (1967) from the Physics Department of the University of Manchester, UK. He worked as a researcher and research director at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (1963-1994) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (1995-2001), and as Ford Foundation Professor of Physics at the University of Tennessee (1964-1997). Since 2001 he is a permanent member of the Academy of Athens.
His basic research is in Atomic and Molecular Physics, and in Radiation, Electron and Plasma Physics. His researches on the fundamental interactions of photons, electrons and ions with atoms and molecules in all phases of matter had worldwide impact and aided many technologies, foremost in radiation detection and damage, plasma processing, gaseous dielectrics, and energy. He has published over 400 scientific papers, has written / published 31 books and has organized / co-organized 29 scientific conferences; he published articles on issues related to the relationship between science and society.
He is a fellow of the American Physical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Vice President of the European Academies Science Advisory Council (2013-2016), Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Art, member of Academia Europaea, Member of the World Academy for Art and Science, Senior Corporate Fellow Emeritus of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Patras, External Member of the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts, and Honorary Emeritus Professor at the University of Athens. For his work he has received the Alexander von Humboldt Senior Scientist Award, the Metal of the Order of Phoenix of the Hellenic Republic, the Excellence in Science Award of the Republic of Cyprus and other international honors.