KARANASTASIS Apostolos

About

I am a Materials Scientist & Engineer with a strong emphasis on the engineering aspect of materials development. I design and implement scientific methodologies to prepare novel materials with tailored properties, and I address fundamental questions when they arise. Before joining LIST, I worked in Greece (PhD, University of Ioannina), the United States (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute), and Belgium (University of Hasselt), gaining hands-on experience with well-defined polymers, organic/inorganic/hybrid nanoparticles, responsive microgels and hydrogels, and upcycled biobased copolyesters. At LIST, as a Senior Research & Technology Engineer within the FPPM Unit / SPPM Group, I contribute to projects ranging from fundamental research to industrial collaborations and EU-funded initiatives. My core expertise includes the design, synthesis, preparation, and scale-up of functional (bio)polymers and particulate materials. I am always open to new challenges that involve material development, process innovation, and sustainability-focused applications.

Mission

▪️ I define, lead, and conduct technology, innovation, and application projects in the fields of (bio)polymer and particulate materials science and engineering. ▪️ I supervise or co-supervise young scientists and engineers. I coordinate the work of colleagues involved in my projects. ▪️ I valorize my work by writing scientific publications and filing patents, with the aim that our research translates into real-world applications. ▪️ I manage the Scale-Up laboratory at LIST’s Maison des Matériaux (MMAT) site in Esch-Belval, where I lead operations related to the scaled preparation of particulate materials.

Skills and expertise

• I design, synthesize, and characterize organic small molecules, polymers, hybrid nanomaterials, and nano/micro particles with tailored functionalities.
• I am a strong problem solver and thrive on projects that involve cross-sector collaboration (academia/SMEs/industry/RTOs), especially those focused on applied research with immediate practical impact.
• I am a strong communicator, both in actively engaging with stakeholders and in listening to their needs. I propose solutions based on the broad cross-disciplinary expertise available at LIST.
• I contribute to the submission of research project proposals, either as the Principal Investigator or as a subject expert.