Dr. Despo Fatta Kassinos is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Cyprus and responsible for the Laboratory of Environmental Engineering GAIA. Prior to this appointment, she worked as a researcher at the National Technical University of Athens, School of Chemical Engineering. From 2000 until 2004 she was also an inner circle expert of the European Topic Center of Waste and Material Flows of the European Environment Agency that is based in Denmark. She received her first degree from the National Technical University of Athens in 1993, (Diploma in Chemical Engineering), her MSc in Environmental Management from the European Association for Environmental Management and Education in 1995, (University of Athens, JRC Ispra), and her PhD from the National Technical University of Athens in 1999, (PhD in Chemical Engineering). Her principal research interests are in the field of water and wastewater treatment systems, environmental pollution monitoring and environmental risk assessment. She has authored or co-authored 50 refereed journal papers, 76 papers in refereed conference proceedings and 5 technical manuals. She has participated in more than 40 projects funded by the European Commission or by national governmental and other bodies. Her teaching experience extends to both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Environmental pollution monitoring techniques (e.g water quality, xenobiotics in wastewater), wastewater treatment (advanced technologies for the removal of emerging contaminants), environmental hazard analysis and risk assessment, implementation of the integrated pollution prevention and control principles in the industrial sector, life cycle analysis of products and processes.

--- Water and wastewater treatment ---


- Z. Frontistis, N. P. Xekoukoulotakis, E. Hapeshi, D. Venieri, D. Fatta-Kassinos, D. Mantzavinos, "Fast removal of estrogen hormones from secondary treated wastewater by solar-Fenton oxidation", Chemical Engineering Journal, accepted, 2011.

- L.A. Ioannou, E. Hapeshi, M. I. Vasquez, D. Mantzavinos, D. Fatta-Kassinos, "Solar/TiO2 photocatalytic decomposition of β-blockers atenolol and propanolol in water and wastewater", Solar Energy, 85, 2011, 1915-1926.

- N.P. Xekoukoulotakis, C. Drosou, C. Brebou, E. Chatzisymeon, E. Hapeshi, D. Fatta-Kassinos, D. Mantzavinos, "Kinetics of UV-A/TiO2 photocatalytic degradation and mineralization of the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole in aqueous matrices". Catalysis Today, 161, 2011, 163-168.

- D. Fatta-Kassinos, E. Hapeshi, A. Achilleos, S. Meric, M. Gros, M. Petrovic, D. Barcelo, "Existence of pharmaceutical compounds in tertiary treated urban wastewater that is utilized for reuse applications". Water Resources Management, 25, (4), 2011, 1183-1193.

- I. Michael, E. Hapeshi, C. Michael, D. Fatta-Kassinos, "Solar Fenton and solar TiO2 catalytic treatment of ofloxacin in secondary treated effluents: Evaluation of operational and kinetic parameters". Water Research, 44, 2010, 5450-5462.

- A. Achilleos, E. Hapeshi, N. P. Xekoukoulotakis, D. Mantzavinos, D. Fatta-Kassinos, "UV-A and solar photodegradation of ibuprofen and carbamazepine catalysed by TiO2". Separation Science and Technology, 45, 2010, 1564-1570.

- A. Achilleos, E. Hapeshi, N. P. Xekoukoulotakis, D. Mantzavinos, D. Fatta-Kassinos, "Factors affecting diclofenac decomposition in water by UV-A/TiO2 photocatalysis". Chemical Engineering Journal, 161, 2010, 53-59.

- E. Hapeshi, A. Achilleos, A. Papaioannou, L. Valanidou, N.P. Xekoukoulotakis, D. Mantzavinos, D. Fatta-Kassinos, "Sonochemical degradation of ofloxacin in aqueous solutions". Water Science and Technology, 61.12, 2010, 3141-3146.

- N. P. Xekoukoulotakis, N. Xinidis, M. Chroni, D. Mantzavinos, D. Venieri, E. Hapeshi, D. Fatta-Kassinos, "UV-A/TiO2 photocatalytic decomposition of erythromycin in water: Factors affecting mineralization and antibiotic activity", Catalysis Today, 151, 2010, 29-33.

- E. Hapeshi, A. Achilleos, M. I. Vasquez, C. Michael, N.P. Xekoukoulotakis, D. Mantzavinos, D. Kassinos, "Drugs degrading photocatalytically: kinetics and mechanisms of ofloxacin and atenolol removal on titania suspensions", Water Research, 44, 2010, 1737-1746.

- V. Naddeo, D. Kassinos, D. Mantzavinos, S. Meric, V. Belgiorno, "Ultrasonic degradation of diclofenac in water: important operating parameters, biodegradability and ecotoxicity", Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 17, 2010, 179-185.

− L. Rizzo, S. Meric, M. Guida, D. Kassinos, V. Belgiorno, "Heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation kinetics and detoxification of an urban wastewater treatment plant effluent contaminated with pharmaceuticals", Water Research, 43, 2009, 4070-4078.

− V. Naddeo, S. Meric, D. Kassinos, V. Belgriono, M. Guida, "Fate of pharmaceuticals in contaminated urban wastewater effluent under ultrasonic irradiation", Water Research, 43, 2009, 4019-4027.

− S. Ma, S.C. Kassinos, D. Kassinos, "Direct Simulation of the Limiting Flux: I. Interpretation of the Experimental Results", Journal of Membrane Science, 337, 2009, 81-91.

− V. Naddeo, V. Belgiorno, D. Ricco, D. Kassinos, "Degradation of diclofenac during sonolysis, ozonation and their simultaneous application", Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 16, 2009, 790-794.

− Ch. Mavronikola, M. Demetriou, E. Hapeshi, D. Partassides, C. Michael, D. Mantzavinos, D. Kassinos, "Mineralisation of the antibiotic amoxicillin in pure and surface waters by artificial UVA- and sunlight-induced Fenton oxidation", Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology, 84, 2009, 1211-1217.

− N. Anastasiou, M. Monou, D. Mantzavinos, D. Kassinos, "Monitoring of the quality of winery influents/effluents and polishing of partially treated winery flows by homogeneous Fe(II) photo-oxidation", Desalination, 248, 2009, 836-842.

− L. Rizzo, S. Meric, D. Kassinos, M. Guida, F. Russo, V. Belgiorno, "Degradation of diclofenac by TiO2 photocatalysis: UV absorbance kinetics and process evaluation through a set of toxicity bioassays", Water Research, 43, 2009, 979-988.

− D. Kassinos, N. Varnava, C. Michael, P. Piera, "Homogeneous oxidation of aqueous solutions of atrazine and fenitrothion through dark and photo-Fenton reactions", Chemosphere, 74, 2009, 866-872.

− M. Klavarioti, D. Mantzavinos, D. Kassinos, "Removal of residual pharmaceuticals from aqueous systems by advanced oxidation processes", Environment International, 35, 2009, 402-417.

− M. Monou, N. Kythreotou, D. Fatta, S. R. Smith, "Rapid screening procedure to optimize the anaerobic codigestion of industrial biowastes and agriculture livestock wastes in Cyprus", Waste Management, Vol.29, 2009, 712-720.

− D. Kassinos, M. Constantinou, N. Varnava, A. Papadopoulos, S. Vlachos, D. Mantzavinos, "Oxidation of pesticides in water by Fenton and photo-Fenton reactions", Journal of Advanced Oxidation Technologies, 11, 2, 2008, 246-253.

− M. Monou, N. Pafitis, N. Kythreotou, S. R. Smith, D. Mantzavinos and D. Kassinos, "Anaerobic co-digestion of potato processing wastewater with pig slurry and abattoir wastewater", Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology, 83, 2008, 1658-1663.

− S. Ma, S. C. Kassinos, and D. Fatta Kassinos, "Assessing the impact of concentration dependent fluid properties on the permeate flux and wall concentration in crossflow membrane systems", Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 47, 2008, 1636-1649.

− A.E. Papadopoulos, D. Fatta, M. Loizidou, "Development and optimization of Dark Fenton Oxidation for the treatment of textile wastewaters with high organic load", Journal of Hazardous Materials, 146, 2007, 558-563.

− V. Belgiorno, L. Rizzo, D. Fatta, Cl. Della Rocca, V. Naddeo, G. Lofrano, A. Nikolaou, S. Meric, "Review on endocrine disrupting-emerging compounds in urban wastewater: Occurrence and removal by photocatalysis and ultrasonic irradiation for reuse", Desalination, 215, 2007, 166-176.

− D. Fatta and S. Anayiotou, "MEDAWARE Project for wastewater reuse in the Mediterranean countries: An innovative compact biological wastewater treatment system for promoting wastewater reclamation in Cyprus, Desalination, 211, 2007, 34-47.

− S. Ma, S. Kassinos, D. Fatta, "Assessing the accuracy of wall concentration estimation based on averaged permeate velocity in spacer-filled RO membrane systems", Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 45, 2006, 8134-8144.

− A. Papadopoulos, D. Fatta, K. Parperis, A. Mentzis, K.J. Haralambous, M. Loizidou, "Nickel uptake from a wastewater stream produced in a metal finishing industry using clinoptilolite", Separation and Purification Technology, 39(3), 2004, 181-188.

− C. Naoum, D. Fatta K.J. Haralambous, M. Loizidou, "Removal of heavy metals from sewage sludge and acid treatment", Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A-Environmental Science and Engineering, 36(5), 2001, 873-881.

− A. Papadopoulos, D. Fatta, M. Loizidou, "Treatment of stabilised landfill leachate by physico-chemical and bio-oxidation processes", Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A-Environmental Science and Engineering, 33(4), 1998, 651-670.


--- Xenobiotics in the environment ---

- D. Fatta-Kassinos, M. Vasquez, K. Kümmerer, "Transformation products of pharmaceuticals in surface waters and wastewater formed during photolysis and advanced oxidation processes – degradation, elucidation of byproducts and assessment of their biological potency", Chemosphere, 85, 2011, 693-709.

- D. Fatta-Kassinos, I.K. Kalavrouziotis, P.H. Koukoulakis, M.I. Vasquez, "The risks associated with the wastewater reuse and xenobiotics in the agroecological environment". Science of the Total Environment, 409, 2011, 3555-3563.

- D. Fatta-Kassinos, S. Meric, A. Nikolaou, "Pharmaceutical residues in environmental waters and wastewater: Current state of knowledge and future research roadmap", Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 399, 2011, 251-275.

− D. Fatta, A. Nikolaou, A. Achilleos, S. Meric, "Analytical methods for tracing pharmaceutical drug residues in water and wastewater", Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 26, 6, 2007, 515-533.

− D. Fatta, St. Canna-Michaelidou, C. Michael, E. Demetriou Georgiou, M. Christodoulidou, A. Achilleos, M. Vasquez, "Organochlorine and organophosphoric insecticides, herbicides and heavy metals residue in industrial wastewaters in Cyprus", Journal of Hazardous Materials, 145, 2007, 169-179.

− D. Fatta, C. Michael, St. Canna-Michaelidou, M. Christodoulidou, N. Kythreotou, M. Vasquez, "Pesticides, volatile and semivolatile compounds in the surface waters of Cyprus", Desalination, 215, 2007, 223-236.

− A.Nikolaou, S. Meric, D. Fatta, "Occurrence patterns of pharmaceuticals in environmental matrices", Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 387, 2007, 1225-1234.


--- Water and wastewater management ---

- S. Ma, S.C. Kassinos, D. Kassinos, E. Akylas, "Modeling the impact of water withdrawal schemes on the transport of pesticides in the Kouris dam (Cyprus)", Global Nest, Vol. 10, No.3, 2008, 350-358.

− S. Ma, S. C. Kassinos, D. Fatta Kassinos, and E. Akylas, "Effects of Selective Withdrawal Schemes on Thermal Stratification in Kouris Dam (Cyprus)", Lakes and Reservoirs: Research and Management, 13, 2008, 51-61.

− D. Hidalgo, R. Irusta, L. Martinez, D. Fatta, A. Papadopoulos, "Development of a multi-function software decision support tool for the promotion of the safe reuse of treated urban wastewater", Desalination, 215, 2007, 90-103.

− D. Hidalgo Barrio, R. Irusta Mata, D. Fatta "Sustainable and cost effective municipal wastewater reclamation: Treated effluent reuse in the agricultural production", International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 28, 1-2, 2006, 2-15.

− D. Fatta, S. Anayiotou, I. Arslan-Alaton, G. Ayoub, M. Mohammad Rusan, K. Hameed, M. Loizidou, "The water profile and the policies that need to be developed for the promotion of wastewater reuse in the Mediterranean countries", International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 28, 1-2, 2006, 45-56.

− D. Fatta, Z. Salem, M. Mountadar, O. Assobhei, M. Loizidou, "Urban wastewater treatment and reclamation for agricultural irrigation: The situation in Morocco and Palestine", The Environmentalist, 24(4), 2004, 227-236.

− D. Fatta, M. Marneri, A. Papadopoulos, K. Moustakas, K. Haralambous, M. Loizidou, "Development of integrated pollution prevention guidelines for the slaughter of animals", Waste Management, 23(2), 2003, 157-165.


--- Environmental pollution ---

− M. Avraamides and D. Fatta, "Resource consumption and emissions from olive oil production: a life-cycle inventory case study in Cyprus", Journal of Cleaner Production, 16, 2008, 809-821.

− D. Fatta, M. Monou, C. Voscos, N. Kythreotou, Ch. Stylianou, "Minimization of the disperse pollution caused by dairy farms in Cyprus through the development of guidelines for their sustainable operation", Water Science and Technology, 56, 1, 2007, 80-97.

− D. Fatta, M. Marneri, A. Papadopoulos, A. Mentzis, Ch. Savvides, L. Nikolaides, M. Loizidou, "Industrial pollution and control measures for foundries in Cyprus", Journal of Cleaner Production, 12(1), 2004, 29-36.

− D. Fatta, A. Papadopoulos, C. Savvides, M. Loizidou, A. Mentzis, L. Nikolaides, Ch. Malikkides, "Integrated control of industrial pollution and chemical substances in Cyprus", Fresenius Environmental Bulletin 11(10a), 2002, 773-776.

− D. Fatta, C. Naoum, M. Loizidou, "Development of an integrated environmental monitoring and simulation system as a management decision support tool in urban areas", Journal of Environmental Management, 64(4), 2002, 333-343.

− M. Marneri, D. Fatta M. Loizidou, "Implementation of the European IPPC Directive- BAT guidelines for the cement industry in Cyprus", The Environmentalist, 21(2), 2001, 115-127.

− D. Fatta, C. Naoum, P. Karlis, M. Loizidou, "Numerical simulation of flow and contaminant migration at a municipal landfill", Journal of Environmental Hydrology, paper 16(8), 2000, 1-11.

− D. Fatta, A. Papadopoulos, M. Loizidou, "A study on the landfill leachate and its impact on the groundwater quality of the greater area", Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 21(2), 1999, 175-190.

− D. Fatta, A. Papadopoulos, M. Loizidou, "MSW landfill leachate quality and quantification of water balance parameters after site reclamation", Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, 7/5-6, 1998, 345-352.

− D. Fatta, C. Voscos, A. Papadopoulos, M. Loizidou, "Leachate quality of a MSW landfill", Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A-Environmental Science and Engineering, 33(5), 1998, 749-763.

− D. Fatta, C. Voscos, A.J. Haralambous, M. Loizidou, "A study on the groundwater quality in the surroundings of a landfill", Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A-Environmental Science and Engineering, 32(8), 1997, 2275-2287.

− D. Fatta, K.J. Haralambous, A. Papadopoulos, M. Loizidou, N. Spyrellis, "An Evaluation of the pollution level of the Saronic Gulf waters", Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A-Environmental Science and Engineering, 32(8), 1997, 2403-2414.


--- Solid waste management ---

- M. Al-Sari’, I. A. Al-Khatib, M. Avraamides, D. Fatta-Kassinos, "A Study on the attitudes and behavioural influence of construction waste management in Occupied Palestinian Territory", Waste Management and Research, accepted, August 2011.

- I. A. Al-Khatib, M. Monou, A. S. F. A. Zahra, H. Q. Shaheen, D. Kassinos, "Solid waste characterization, quantification and management practices in developing countries. A case study: Nablus district- Palestine", Journal of Environmental Management, 91, 2010, 1131-1138.

- I.A. Al-Khatib, M. Monou, S. A. Mosleh, M. M. Al-Subu, D. Kassinos, "Dental solid and hazardous waste management and safety practices in developing countries. Case study: Nablus District, Palestine", Waste Management and Research, 28, 2010, 436-444.

− K. Moustakas, D. Fatta, S. Malamis, K. Haralambous, M. Loizidou, "Demonstration plasma gasification / vitrification system for effective hazardous waste treatment", Journal of Hazardous Materials B, 123(1-3), 2005, 120-126.

− D. Fatta, A. Papadopoulos, Ch. Savvides, N. Stefanakis, M. Loizidou, "An alternative method for the treatment of the waste produced at a dye and a metal plating industry using natural and/or waste materials", Waste Management and Research, 39, 2004, 234-239.

− D. Fatta, A.Papadopoulos, E. Avramikos, K. Moustakas, F. Kourmoussis, A. Mentzis, M. Loizidou, "Generation and management of construction and demolition waste in Greece- An existing challenge", Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 40(1), 2003.

− A. Papadopoulos, D. Fatta, A. Mentzis, M. Loizidou, "Development of an integrated plan for solid waste management in Cyprus", Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, 11(10b), 2002, 836-839.81-91.

− D. Fatta, P. Saravanos, M. Loizidou, "Industrial waste facility site selection using GIS techniques", The International Journal of Environmental Studies, 56, 1998, 1-14.

Personal Website: http://www.eng.ucy.ac.cy/GAIA