Aristotelis Azariadis grew up amidst the vibrant landscapes of Greece, a country deeply tied to its agricultural traditions. Born and raised in Athens, his family’s agricultural heritage significantly shaped his career journey. “We still have our own fields and orchards,” Aristoteles shared, reflecting on his upbringing. “We produce many things, and that’s what initially moved me towards agronomy and agriculture.” It was this connection to the land that set him on a path to becoming a researcher focused on addressing the challenges of modern agriculture. 

From fields to academia 

Aristotelis Azariadis’ academic foundation was built at the Agricultural University of Athens, where he earned his bachelor’s degree and his first master’s degree. Later, he pursued a second master’s degree also in Greece. His desire to deepen his understanding of agriculture and his drive for innovation propelled him toward research positions, where he spent several years working as a research assistant and researcher.  

“At some point, I thought, ‘It’s time for the next step,’” Aristotelis Azariadis explains. The “next step” was a PhD program in Denmark, a country he admired for its forward-thinking approach to agriculture. “There were many projects I applied to, but the one I ended up doing my PhD on was the most interesting for me.” It was a decision that brought him to Aarhus University, where he would embark on innovative research.  

Curiosity as a driving force 

For Aristotelis Azariadis, the choice to pursue a research career was rooted in his insatiable curiosity. “I’ve always had a curious nature,” he says, describing how his passion for understanding how things work extended beyond science. “I love working with my hands, whether it’s baking or fixing things. When I combined that with my interest in plants, it made me curious about how things work and how we can make use of them.”  

This natural curiosity led him to focus on biotechnology and molecular biology in plants, areas he believed could provide the answers to his scientific questions. “It was the way to satisfy my curiosity and my inner drive for science,” he notes. 

Breaking new ground with a PhD 

Aristotelis Azariadis’ PhD was part of a larger collaborative project involving institutions across Denmark. His specific focus was on domesticating wild or neglected plant species for agricultural use. “My slice of the pie was about the potato as a crop,” he explained. His research delved into the wild relatives of the potato, aiming to transform these untamed species into viable agricultural crops.  

Using advanced genome editing techniques, Aristotelis Azariadis successfully took a wild potato species and brought it a step closer to domestication. “There wasn’t much literature to go on, which was both exciting and frightening,” he admits. The lack of prior research meant every discovery felt groundbreaking. 

Aristotelis Azariadis’ work was not just about the potato. It was about creating a roadmap for others in the field. “Even if this specific potato doesn’t make it to market, the methodologies and protocols I developed can serve as a guide for others looking to domesticate new crops.”  

Bridging science and society 

Now at the University of Copenhagen, Aristotelis Azariadis continues his work on domestication of wild species. This time, his focus has shifted to grasses, particularly barley. “I’m applying the same principles to barley that I used for the potato,” he explains. The goal remains the same: to transform wild relatives into crops that can thrive in changing environmental conditions while meeting the demands of modern agriculture.  

When asked about the future of his research, Aristotelis Azariadis is optimistic. “I believe that in the next five years, there will be breakthroughs in how we utilize the genetic resources available to us,” he says. However, he emphasized the need for updated legislation to keep pace with scientific advancements. “The laws we’re following are based on science from the 1970s. We need a gradient of rules that reflect modern genetic techniques.”  

A passion for outreach 

While research remains his primary focus, Aristotelis Azariadis is passionate about science communication. “We need more publicists for science,” he states. “It’s crucial to clear up confusion and miscommunication about what we’re doing.” He dreams of a career that balances lab work with outreach, enabling him to share his knowledge and inspire not just the next generation of scientists but society as a whole.  

Looking ahead 

For Aristotelis Azariadis, the journey from Greece to Denmark has been one of discovery, growth, and innovation. His work not only contributes to the future of agriculture but also inspires others to think differently about the possibilities within plant science. As he looks to the future, his message to aspiring researchers is clear: “A PhD is a steppingstone. Use it to build the foundation for the career you want.”