SNF Center for the Study of Hellenic Culture

Neuroprotective Greek Herbs: Bridging Neuroscience and Cultural Heritage a seminar organized by Anastasia Tsingotjidou (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki) in collaboration with Korina Atsopardi and Marigoula Margariti (University of Patras) This seminar brings together researchers from neuroscience, pharmacology, biology, veterinary medicine, nutrition, and plant biodiversity to explore the neuroprotective potential of traditional Greek herbs. Through a combination of in-person and online presentations, the program highlights translational research, from animal models and isolated bioactive compounds to nutritional approaches and cultural heritage. The seminar concludes with a culinary demonstration using Cycladic herbs, emphasizing the connection between Greek history, daily life, and brain health. Speakers: Korina Atsopardi, School of Pharmacy, University of Patras Dimitra Efthymiopoulou, Department of Nutrition & Dietetics and Department of Sports Nutrition, Harokopio University (Zoom) Irene Giannakopoulos, CEO, Aegialis Hotel and Spa, author of the culinary book, My Amorgos! Professor Marigoula Margariti, School of Biology, University of Patras (Zoom) Marita Papagianni, Plant Taxonomist & Biodiversity Research Associate, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Zoom) Professor Igor Spigelman, Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Section of Biosystems and Function, School of Dentistry, UCLA Professor Anastasia Tsingotjidou, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Associate Professor Konstantinos Xanthopoulos, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Zoom) This event is made possible thanks to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). To view the full program schedule and to RSVP, please visit our website: https://hellenic.ucla.edu/event/neuroprotective-greek-herbs/

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One of the deadliest wildfires ever recorded took place on July 23, 2018 just 30 km from the historical center of Athens in Greece. Artist Katerina Angelopoulou survived the fire and her book, "The Fumes of Mars," combines her photographs with personal testimonies from other survivors, timelines, maps, and reports. With these materials Angelopoulou attempts to weave together a collective narrative of the events to better understand the violent disconnect between her own experience and the “official” account of the disaster in which facts were concealed and victims held culpable The book opens with black and white photographs showing the aftermath of the fire alongside with testimonies of the survivors. These are followed by Angelopoulou’s photographs taken as the disaster unfolded overlayed with her timeline of events. Collected evidence on the events follow, including aerial maps, topographical information, lists of the victims with location and cause of death, weather and aircraft reports, CCTV and news coverage images, information from the State Investigator report and information on the ongoing trial. The final images of the book are of Angelopoulou’s personal artifacts after the fire, such as remnants of jewelry, books and glasses. This assembled evidence is embedded with importance because after the fire, the truth of the victims and their families was questioned multiple times—in the public narrative, facts were concealed and re-produced with false arguments blaming residents and victims. Katerina Angelopoulou is an artist based in Athens. The Fumes of Athens won the Format Festival’s Reviewers Choice Award 2022, was selected for and featured in the COCA Project 2021, shortlisted for the Belfast Dummy Award and Photo Festival in 2022, and exhibited at LCC in London as part of the Common Ground Exhibition. Angelopoulou holds a BSc in Mathematics & Theoretical Physics from Imperial College London, a BA in Design for Performance from Central Saint Martin’s, and an MA with Distinction in Photojournalism & Documentary Photography from LCC. This program is made possible thanks to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. For more details, please visit: https://hellenic.ucla.edu/event/the-fumes-of-mars/

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