As part of the SPECTRA mobility programme, researchers from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) have completed a rewarding exchange at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), gaining hands-on training and strengthening collaborations with leading European experts.
Why Mobility Matters in SPECTRA
SPECTRA has set up a structured programme of mobility activities to strengthen research excellence across the consortium. These exchanges give researchers access to advanced facilities, hands-on training, and opportunities to co-author publications and develop new collaborations. For early-stage researchers, mobility provides vital experience and skill-building, while for senior staff it supports knowledge transfer, testing of new approaches, and long-term partnership building. By embedding mobility into the project, SPECTRA ensures that expertise flows across the network, supports career development, and lays the foundation for future joint research beyond the project itself.
Prof. Dimitra Lambropoulou, Professor of Environmental Chemistry at AUTH, and Androniki Rapti, PhD candidate and early-stage researcher in SPECTRA, spent several days working closely with colleagues from UAB’s Department of Analytical Chemistry and Department of Genetics and Microbiology.
The mobility provided unique opportunities to access cutting-edge infrastructures and to learn advanced methodologies directly linked to SPECTRA’s case studies. It also offered a valuable chance to connect with other EU projects, including PlasticHeal, which has been developing innovative tools to study the impacts and mechanisms of micro- and nanoplastics on human health.
A highlight of the experience was Prof. Lambropoulou’s delivery of a keynote talk on “Suspect and Non-Target Analysis for the Determination of Pesticides and Emerging Contaminants in Water and Food Samples” at Euroanalysis 2025 (August 31–September 4, 2025)
Reflecting on the experience, Prof. Lambropoulou said:
“This mobility was a truly enriching exchange. We were able to connect environmental analytical chemistry with microbiology, explore synergies with PlasticHeal, and strengthen collaborations with fantastic colleagues at UAB. Experiences like this showcase the power of cross-disciplinary research.”
For Androniki Rapti, the mobility was a formative step in her research career:
“One of the highlights for me was the hands-on training in nanoplastic analysis. It not only improved my skills in environmental analytical science but also gave me new perspectives on how to address these complex contaminants. Opportunities like this give early-stage researchers the confidence and tools to tackle major environmental challenges.”
The AUTH team also engaged with UAB’s industry partner AERIS Tecnologias Ambientales SL, exploring how academia–industry collaboration can accelerate solutions for emerging contaminants and turn cutting-edge research into real-world impact.
As the mobility drew to a close, Prof. Lambropoulou summed up the experience:
“We return home with stronger skills, new insights, and unforgettable memories. This mobility has energised us to take the next steps in tackling environmental challenges together with our SPECTRA partners.”
