Greece has taken a significant step into international Antarctic research with the arrival of two pioneering Greek scientists on the frozen continent.
Deputy Development Minister Zoi Rapti announced the milestone on social media, celebrating the mission as an “exciting and innovative” start to the year.
The researchers, Christina Balomenaki and Efharis Gourounti from the Technical University of Crete, are the first Greek female scientists to participate in such a mission. Balomenaki will study the mental resilience of humans in extreme environments, where temperatures can plummet to -50°C, while Gourounti will focus on the durability of construction materials under the same harsh conditions.
Rapti extended her best wishes to the researchers and commended the Hellenic Polar Zones Society and its chairperson, Symeon Konstantinidis, as well as MP Dionysia Avgerinopoulou, for their efforts in making the mission possible. She also thanked Laskaridis Shipping Co. Ltd for its vital support.
This historic mission underscores Greece’s commitment to advancing global scientific research and marks a proud moment for the country on the international stage.
