HIAS Symposium 2026

You are cordially invited to the Symposium 2026 – Engineering the Future: Intelligent Health and Resilient Infrastructure Systems of the Hellenic Institute of Advanced Studies (HIAS), taking place on July 16–17, 2026 at the Athens Conservatoire Arts Centre, co-organized with Endeavor Greece and the Columbia Global Center, Athens.

Bringing together leading researchers, innovators, clinicians, engineers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs from Greece and abroad, the symposium will explore how intelligent systems, AI, biomedical engineering, and resilient infrastructure technologies can address some of today’s most pressing societal challenges.

The symposium will feature two central thematic pillars:

  • Engineering in Medicine, focusing on AI-driven biomedical imaging, women’s health, digital diagnostics, and next-generation healthcare technologies.

  • Engineering in Resilient Infrastructure Systems, highlighting intelligent infrastructures, smart cities, transportation systems, and data-driven decision support for resilient and sustainable urban environments.

The program includes internationally renowned speakers and panelists from leading universities, research institutions, industry, and policy organizations, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue across science, engineering, technology, and innovation.

About HIAS

The Hellenic Institute of Advanced Studies (HIAS) fosters scientific excellence to advance knowledge and support human well-being.

  • Create bridges and foster scientific exchanges between the Hellenic diaspora and their peers in Greece.
  • Establish international and interdisciplinary collaborations on challenges related to Energy, Health, Water, Transport, Climate, Agriculture, and Education.

HIAS integrates the strengths of the Hellenic scientific community independent of political or personal affiliation.

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Topics

AI and Biomedical Imaging

This session will examine the role of AI in advancing biomedical imaging technologies. Attendees will learn about the latest developments in AI-driven image analysis, including applications in diagnostics and treatment planning.

Engineering In Medicine: Women’s Health

This session will explore the application of engineering principles in addressing women's health challenges. Attendees will learn about innovative approaches to diagnosing and treating conditions that disproportionately affect women, as well as the role of technology in improving healthcare outcomes.

Intelligent Infrastructure

This session will examine the role of AI in creating intelligent infrastructure systems. Attendees will explore how AI can enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and resilience of infrastructure, including smart cities and transportation networks.

Infrastructure Intelligence for Decision Support

This session will explore how intelligent infrastructure systems can provide valuable decision support for urban planners, policymakers, and stakeholders. Attendees will learn about the latest technologies and methodologies for collecting, analyzing, and visualizing infrastructure data to inform decision-making processes.

Program

July 16

ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE

8:00 - 8:50
Registration & Networking
8:50 - 9:00
Opening Remarks
Welcome address by Andreas Boudouvis, HIAS Board, NTUA and Petros Koumoutsakos, HIAS Board, Harvard University
9:00 - 11:00
Presentations and Panel
Engineering In Medicine I: AI and Biomedical Imaging
Chair and Moderator
Mania Samiotaki, Canon Medical Systems
Invited Speakers
Christos Davatzikos, University of Pennsylvania
Elisa Konofagou, Columbia University
John Kymissis, Columbia University
Pavlos Vlachos, Purdue University
Panel Discussion

The role of AI in Biomedical Imaging

  • How has AI recently transformed diagnosis based on biomedical imaging?
  • What are some of the challenges in medicine embracing AI?
  • What is the impact in the patient’s diagnosis and overall healthcare of imaging aided through AI?
11:00 - 11:30
Coffee Break
11:30 - 13:30
Presentations and Panel
Engineering In Medicine II: Women’s Health
Chair and Moderator
Elisa Konofagou, Columbia University
Invited Speakers
Alexandra Frogoudaki, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Despina Kontos, Columbia University
Clio Mavragani, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Panel Discussion

What are the main challenges in Women’s Health?

  • How can biomedical engineering technology help better monitor high risk pregnancy?
  • What are some of the challenges in monitoring post-menopausal symptoms?
  • How can female patients be better aided in their medical care?
13:30- 14:30
Lunch Break
14:30 - 17:30
Afternoon Event
Lab to Market Pitch Competition

The Lab to Market: Bridging Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative is a new program between Columbia University and the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), aimed at empowering a new generation of scientist-entrepreneurs in Greece.

The initiative is run by the Columbia Global Center in Athens , led by Columbia University’s Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science and the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) , with the support of Columbia Business School , Endeavor Greece , and the Hellenic Institute of Advanced Studies (HIAS) .

The Lab to Market Pitch Competition marks the culmination of an intensive entrepreneurship journey, where teams present their ventures to investors, industry experts, and mentors.

Building on the Business Foundations training, the Pitch Competition showcases innovative ideas at the intersection of research and real-world application.

Winning teams will receive monetary awards to support the next stage of their business development and growth.

17:30- 18:30
Reception

July 17

SMART / RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURES
EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

9:00 - 9:15
Opening & framing
Introductory talks
Andreas Boudouvis, HIAS Board, NTUA
Eleni Chatzi, HIAS board, ETH Zurich
9:15 - 11:00
Presentations and Panel
Foundations of Intelligent Infrastructure
Chair and Moderator
Eleni Chatzi, ETH Zurich
Invited Speakers
Georgios Arampatzis, Technical University of Crete
Costas Cartalis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Christos Makropoulos, National Technical University of Athens
Costas Papadimitriou, University of Thessaly
Marios Polycarpou, University of Cyprus
Panel Discussion
11:00 - 11:30
Coffee Break
11:30 - 13:00
Panel Discussion
Infrastructure Intelligence for Decision Support
Moderator
Vassilis Antoniades, Boston Consulting Group
Panelists
George Alexopoulos, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, HELLENiQ ENERGY
Georgios Andrikopoulos, Director General, OSMOS Hellas S.A.
Konstantinos Cholevas, C-Level Executive, HEDNO
Panagiotis Papastamatiou, CEO, Hellenic Wind Energy Association
Guiding questions
  • What data can be reliably gathered at scale from operating infrastructure, and how do we ensure its quality, trustworthiness, and continuity over time?
  • How do data security, system integrity, and cyber–physical risks shape the design of monitoring and control strategies for critical infrastructure?
  • What parts of infrastructure operation benefit most from intelligence and automation today and where does human oversight remain essential?
13:00 - 14:00
Lunch Break
14:00 - 16:00
Panel Discussion
Education, Research and Innovation in Greece
Moderator
Efthimios Kaxiras, Harvard University
Panelists
Spyros Artavanis-Tsakonas, Harvard Medical School
Anna Batistatou, University of Ioannina
Andreas Boudouvis, National Technical University of Athens
Vassilis Charmandaris, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, University of Crete
Ioannis Emiris, Athena Research Center, National Kapodistrian University of Athens
Markos Veremis, Big PI Ventures

Speakers - Panelists

George Alexopoulos

HELLENiQ ENERGY

Georgios Andrikopoulos

OSMOS Hellas SA

Vassilis Antoniades

Boston Consulting Group

Georgios Arampatzis

Technical University of Crete

Spyros Artavanis-Tsakonas

Harvard Medical School

Anna Batistatou

University of Ioannina

Andreas Boudouvis

National Technical University of Athens

Costas Cartalis

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Vassilis Charmandaris

Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, University of Crete

Eleni Chatzi

ETH Zurich

Konstantinos Cholevas

HEDNO

Christos Davatzikos

University of Pennsylvania

Ioannis Emiris

Athena Research Center, National Kapodistrian University of Athens

Alexandra Frogoudaki

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Efthimios Kaxiras

Harvard University

Elisa Konofagou

Columbia University

Despina Kontos

Columbia University

Christos Makropoulos

National Technical University of Athens

Clio Mavragani

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Konstantina Nikita

Νational Technical University of Athens

Costas Papadimitriou

University of Thessaly

Panagiotis Papastamatiou

Hellenic Wind Energy Association

Marios Polycarpou

University of Cyprus

Mania Samiotaki

Canon Medical Systems

Markos Veremis

Big PI Ventures

Organizing Committee

Andreas Boudouvis

National Technical University of Athens

Eleni Chatzi

ETH Zurich

Elisa Konofagou

Columbia University

Petros Koumoutsakos

Harvard University

John Tzigounakis

National Technical University of Athens

Advisory Board

Vassilis Antoniades

Boston Consulting Group

Eugenia Giannini

Eugenia Giannini & Associates Law Firm

Theodora Varvarigou

National Technical University of Athens

Volunteers

Marina Giannakopoulou

Intern

NTUA

Danae Kalyva

Student

NTUA School of Chemical Engineering

Evangelia Kousti

Student

NTUA School of Chemical Engineering

Myrto Menagia

Student

NTUA School of Chemical Engineering

George Mikedakis

Student

NTUA School of Chemical Engineering

George Mouselas

Student

NTUA School of Chemical Engineering

Andriani Selvi

Student

NTUA School of Chemical Engineering

Kimon Stathopoulos

Student

NTUA School of Chemical Engineering

Yannis Stergiopoulos

Chemical Engineer

NTUA

Eleni Zafeiropoulou

Student

NTUA School of Chemical Engineering

Vangelis Zois

Student

NTUA School of Chemical Engineering

Information

Symposium Format

The Symposium will be held in-person only.

Official Language

The official language of the Symposium will be English. No translation facilities will be available.

Registration Fees

Registration to the Symposium is free of charge.

Internet Access

Free Wi-Fi will be available in the Symposium auditorium.

Venue

The symposium will take place at the Athens Conservatoire Arts Centre, Rigillis and Vasileos Georgiou B 17-19, 106 75 Athens, Greece.

The Athens Conservatoire (AC) is housed in the iconic building designed by renowned architect Ioannis Despotopoulos. Located in the heart of Athens, it is within easy walking distance of Syntagma and Kolonaki squares, and close to the Presidential Mansion, the Greek Parliament, and the National Gardens. It is also next to Aristotle’s Lyceum and the Byzantine Museum, and near the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896. View the location on the map.

The building is easily accessible by public transport or car, with several parking facilities nearby. More information is available on how to get there.

The Athens Conservatoire Arts Centre comprises several venues, each with a distinctive aesthetic and architectural identity, ideal for hosting cultural, corporate, and social events, as well as exhibitions, conferences, and conventions.

Map to the Venue

Co-organizers

Our Sponsors

Under the Auspices of the General Secretariat of Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hellenic Republic