With research interests centered on developing novel analytical procedures for detecting and studying organic micropollutants in natural and engineered environments, Dr. Elia Psillakis, Professor of Aquatic Chemistry at the School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering of the Technical University of Crete, has contributed greatly to the scientific community. Widely published and cited, she has participated in major research projects and earned a host of international distinctions; most recently, she was selected as the recipient of the prestigious Robert Kellner Lecture Award by the Division of Analytical Chemistry of the European Chemical Society (DAC-EuChemS), with the award formally presented to her during the 22nd European Conference on Analytical Chemistry, Euroanalysis 2025, in Barcelona, where her lecture opened the conference.
Here, Dr. Psillakis talks to Business Partners about finding inspiration, the importance of heartfelt mentoring, and blending interdisciplinary collaboration and global perspectives as a catalyst for transformation.
What inspired your work in, and significant contributions to, the field of analytical chemistry?
Analytical chemistry is essential for monitoring and protecting the environment. However, there is a paradox at its core: The methods we use to study pollution often involve hazardous chemicals and generate waste that could harm the ecosystems we strive to protect. This contradiction has inspired a significant portion of my work, which aims to make analytical chemistry greener, more sustainable, and safer. We developed guidelines to reduce the environmental impact of resource-intensive stages and proposed metrics to quantify the greenness of analytical methods. Building on this, we introduced Circular Analytical Chemistry, a concept that seeks a closed-loop, waste-free, and resource-efficient sector. More recently, I presented the theoretical ideas related to sustainability in analytical chemistry, exploring what sustainability truly means and how it can be implemented within our field.
My work aims to make analytical chemistry greener, more sustainable, and safer
The contradiction in analytical chemistry, however, not only inspired my efforts to make the field greener and more sustainable but also ignited my vision to fundamentally reimagine it. Analytical chemistry is a traditional and conservative field that advances through incremental technical improvements. My research is driven by the desire to transform it from a discipline that merely measures matter into one that serves as a beacon of environmental responsibility. This transformation demands disruptive and interdisciplinary efforts capable of catalyzing a cultural shift that redefines our tools, methods, and ultimately, our priorities.
How did your experience as a Fulbright Scholar at the California Institute of Technology influence your academic path?
My Fulbright grant at Caltech was a transformative chapter that fundamentally reshaped my academic identity. Although I studied in both France and the UK, immersing myself in Caltech’s unique ecosystem was a revelation. Its culture not only permitted interdisciplinary work; it demanded it. I was surrounded by brilliant minds who approached scientific problems as readily with a chemist as with a physicist or an engineer. Conversations were never confined by discipline, but were fluid, passionate debates about the core problem from every possible angle. In this environment, I learned to blend the theoretical depth from my European training with the holistic problemsolving approach of Caltech. This synthesis has since become the foundation of my scientific approach, influencing the way I design research projects, build teams, and mentor students. My work is a deliberate blend of interdisciplinary collaboration and a global perspective, because I learned that solving our grand environmental challenges requires nothing less.
How does analytical chemistry contribute to environmental protection and sustainability?
Analytical chemistry provides critical evidence for sustainability. We are the field that holds the magnifying glass to pollution, uncovering its sources, tracing its pathways, and quantifying its impact on our planet. The contributions of analytical chemistry are multifaceted. We develop the sophisticated tools needed to detect harmful contaminants, even at the nanoscale, and track their fate in ecosystems. In a constantly changing world facing grand environmental challenges, this capability allows us to provide critical data that empower action at every level. We supply policymakers with evidence they need to create new or update existing regulations, support industries in minimizing their environmental footprint, and equip communities with the transparent information necessary to advocate for a healthier environment. In this way, analytical chemists act as essential, though often silent, guardians, collecting data and translating them into scientific knowledge and tangible action.
Fulbright is not just a grant. It is the beginning of a lifelong membership in a global community.
You also teach and mentor young scientists. Tell us a little about this aspect of your work.
I have been fortunate in my career to have brilliant mentors from diverse disciplines and backgrounds who have shaped me both as a researcher and as a person. Their guidance was always driven by a genuine care for my growth, not just my output. I strive to mentor in the same spirit, supporting and creating opportunities for young scientists who have that spark in their eyes, the curiosity, and drive that signal true potential. I collaborate with them as equals in research, use my experience to help them navigate their next steps, and build confidence within the complex academic system. Over the years, this group of young researchers has become a global community. Many of them are now emerging leaders, having secured prestigious positions and published research that challenges norms. I see their individual successes as part of a larger story: a self-perpetuating cycle of global mentorship and collaboration. For me, it is less about pride in their achievements and more about a profound sense of fulfillment in being able to give back what my mentors once offered me.
What advice would you offer young Greek scientists aspiring to expand their horizons through international programs such as Fulbright?
Be bold and apply. It is natural to be daunted by the competitiveness, but it is a far greater loss when talented scientists self-select out. Keep in mind that evaluation committees look not only at achievements but also at the potential, passion, and unique perspective you bring.
Prepare with purpose, but be open to transformation. Have a clear and detailed research plan, but don’t let it become a boundary. Take a holistic view of the Fulbright experience and see it as a journey of integrated professional and personal growth. Strategize not only your research but also embrace your role as a scientific and cultural ambassador. Be intentional about building your network and reaching beyond your immediate lab to connect across departments and institutions.
Fulbright is not just a grant. It is the beginning of a lifelong membership in a global community. I experienced this firsthand. Whether at a conference or university visit, meeting a fellow Fulbrighter creates an immediate connection that transcends borders or disciplines. This community will become your permanent source of both professional collaboration and personal friendship.
Ultimately, your personal success in the Fulbright Program will be channeled back home, strengthening the entire Greek research ecosystem. And let your own journey serve as inspiration for the next generation, just as I hope my own journey has inspired you.
For more information visit www.fulbright.gr
