Konstantinos Gardikis | Dermatological Pharmacology | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr.  Konstantinos Gardikis | Dermatological Pharmacology | Best Researcher Award

University of Athens | Greece

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Konstantinos Gardikis is a distinguished pharmaceutical scientist whose career integrates advanced academic training, interdisciplinary laboratory expertise, and high-level industrial leadership in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and biotechnological innovation. He completed his academic journey at the School of Pharmacy, University of Athens, earning a Bachelor of Science, a Master’s degree in Industrial Pharmacy with a thesis focused on dendrimer–lipid interactions studied through calorimetry and Raman spectroscopy, and a Ph.D. centered on the design and evaluation of chimeric nanosystems employing liposomes and dendrimers for targeted delivery of doxorubicin. His scientific foundation expanded through extensive postdoctoral and advanced laboratory training across leading European institutions, including specialized work in ethnobotany, phytochemical extraction, purification and characterization of oligosaccharides, bioinformatics for RNA-seq studies, microencapsulation, spray drying, thermodynamic analysis of nanosystems, fluorescence spectroscopy, toxicity assays, and GC-MS and GPC analytical techniques. His training also encompasses hands-on industrial experience in microalgae cultivation, extraction and distillation processes, and pharmaceutical research and development. Dr. Gardikis’ professional career is strongly defined by his long-standing leadership at APIVITA SA, where he currently serves as Director of Research & Development. In this role, he oversees multidisciplinary teams across R&D and Regulatory Affairs, guiding product formulation, innovation strategy, sustainability initiatives, development of novel raw materials, and the creation of next-generation nanoformulations. He manages the full lifecycle of product development, ensures regulatory compliance in more than fifty global markets, leads international product notifications, supervises cosmetovigilance operations, and steers scientific communication and technology transfer activities. His achievements include the formulation of over one hundred cosmetic and food supplement products, the reformulation of extensive product lines for global regulatory standards, successful execution of major research projects under European frameworks, and inventorship of multiple PCT and national patents on innovative natural raw materials and nanoscale delivery systems. Earlier, as Director of Scientific Affairs at APIVITA SA, he established research laboratories, coordinated multinational research consortia, optimized novel extraction processes, and contributed to the company’s scientific growth through pioneering patented technologies. With a strong background in pharmaceutical nanotechnology, natural products, and applied biotechnology, Dr. Gardikis continues to contribute to scientific advancement through innovation-driven research, cross-sector collaboration, and the development of sustainable, high-performance formulations that bridge academic expertise with industrial impact.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Athanasopoulou, S., Panagiotidou, E., Spanidi, E., Gkika, M., Georgiou, D., Anagnostopoulos, A. K., Ganos, C., Chinou, I., Beletsiotis, E., & Gardikis, K. (2025). Propolis extract with activity against _Cutibacterium acnes biofilm targeting the expression of virulence genes_. Antioxidants, 14(7), 849.

Athanasopoulou, S., Spanidi, E., Panagiotidou, E., Cavagnino, A., Bobier, A., & Gardikis, K. (2024). An advanced combinatorial system from _Vitis vinifera leaves and propolis enhances antioxidants’ skin delivery and fibroblasts functionality_. Pharmaceuticals, 17(12), 1610.

Katsogiannis, I., Naziris, N., Sarika, A., Gardikis, K., Hatziantoniou, S., Boukos, N., Dallas, P., Fikioris, N., & Demetzos, C. (2024). Development and in vitro evaluation of liposomal carnosine for dermatological and cosmeceutical applications. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 84, 105654.

Letsiou, S., Bakea, A., Holefors, A., Rembiesa, J., Spanidi, E., & Gardikis, K. (2023). In vitro protective effects of _Paeonia officinalis var. mascula callus extract on human keratinocytes_. Scientific Reports, 13, 19213.

Letsiou, S., Kapazoglou, A., Tsaftaris, A., Spanidi, E., & Gardikis, K. (2023). Transcriptional and epigenetic effects of _Vitis vinifera L. leaf extract on UV‑stressed human dermal fibroblasts_. Molecular Biology Reports, 50, 5763–?.

Allison Hilberer | Dermatological Pharmacology | Best Researcher Award

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Mrs. Allison Hilberer | Dermatological Pharmacology | Best Researcher Award

Institute for In Vitro Sciences | United States

Mrs. Allison Hilberer is a distinguished toxicologist with a robust academic foundation and extensive expertise in in vitro toxicology, phototoxicity, and ocular and dermal safety assessments. She holds a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Toxicology from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy, a Master of Science in Biology from George Mason University, a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Keuka College, and an Associate in Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences from Finger Lakes Community College. Additionally, she completed advanced toxicology training at the Mid-America Toxicology Course, further strengthening her scientific and regulatory proficiency in toxicological methods. As a Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology (DABT), she maintains high standards of professional competency and scientific rigor in her work.Mrs. Hilberer has built an exceptional career at the Institute for In Vitro Sciences, Inc. (IIVS), advancing from early roles as Biologist and Laboratory Supervisor to her current position as Senior Toxicologist, Study Director, and Program Leader, overseeing BCOP, Photosafety, and 96-well assays. Her leadership has extended to training biologists, coordinating complex toxicological studies, refining in vitro methodologies, and ensuring adherence to Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs). Throughout her career, she has successfully directed assays addressing phototoxicity, ocular and dermal irritation, photoallergy, and sensitization risks while implementing cutting-edge technologies to advance alternative testing strategies. She has represented the International Council on Animal Protection in OECD Programmes (ICAPO) for eye, skin, and phototoxicity assays, contributing to global scientific and regulatory dialogues on reducing animal testing through validated alternative methods.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Hilberer, A., Hoffman, L., Madrid, M., Labib, R., & Costin, G.-E. (2025). Assessment of phototoxicity potential of botanicals as cosmetic ingredients using the in vitro 3T3 neutral red uptake phototoxicity test. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. Advance online publication.

Keebaugh, A. J., Steele, M. L., Islas-Robles, A., Phillips, J., Hilberer, A., Cantrell, K., Chushak, Y. G., Mattie, D. R., Clewell, R. A., & Merrill, E. A. (2025). Development of preliminary candidate surface guidelines for Air Force-relevant dermal sensitizers using new approach methodologies. Toxics, 13(8), 660. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13080660

Ruparel, N., Islas-Robles, A., Hilberer, A., Cantrell, K., Madrid, M., Ryan, C., Gerberick, G. F., & Persaud, R. (2024). Deriving a point of departure for assessing the skin sensitization risk of wearable device constituents with in vitro methods. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 114, 725. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2024.114725

Use of alternative test methods in a tiered testing approach to address photoirritation potential of fragrance materials.