- Participated as Research Assistant (Graduate Fellow) and as Research Associate of the University of Toronto in five research projects and as a postdoctoral researcher of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Stockholm University in one research project.
- Selected results of the above projects:
(a) Selection of fast growing willow species and clones for biomass production dedicated to energy conversion. Studied Salix species: Salix amygdaloides, S. bebbiana, S. eriocephala, S. exigua, S. miyabeana, S. nigra, S. petiolaris, S. rorida, S. sachalinensis, S. viminalis.
(b) Species identification and DNA fingerprinting using biochemical and molecular genetic markers.
(c) Selection of the most suitable species S. eriocephala (North America) and S. viminalis (Central and Northern Europe).
(d) Selection of fast growing clones within selected species for operational energy plantations.
(e) Clonal identification and DNA fingerprinting using biochemical and molecular genetic markers.
(f) Study of genetic marker inheritance patterns and construction of genetic maps in S. eriocephala, S. exigua and S. viminalis.
(g) Manifestation of positive relationships between heterozygosity and biomass production in full-sib families; potential use of heterozygosity as an early selection criterion.
(h) Contemporary extensive use of clones generated from the above projects in energy plantations in Canada, the US and northern Europe, especially Sweden.
- Participated as a member of the Academic Faculty of the Aristotle University in 20 research projects.
- Selected results of the above projects:
(a) Data records and analysis on the extent and structure of genetic variation of natural populations from Greek, Mediterranean and European ecosystems. In particular, data regarding genetic variation of 21 ecologically dominant keystone species originating from 11 genera (species numbers in parentheses): Abies (1), Castanea (1), Cupressus (1), Juglans (1), Pinus (6), Picea (1), Platanus (2), Populus (5), Prunus (1), Quercus (4), Robinia (1).
(b) Data and analysis on the genetic variation in artificial populations, hybrids, cultivars and clones of 17 species originating from 10 genera (species numbers in parentheses): Castanea (1), Cedrus (3) Cupressus (1), Juglans (1) Platanus (1) Populus (5), Prunus (1) Pseudotsuga (1), Robinia (1), Thuja (1).
(c) Investigation and evaluation of the relationships between natural populations and orchards regarding bi-directional gene flow and mating systems of 3 species originating from 3 genera: Castanea (1), Juglans (1), Prunus (1).
(d) DNA fingerprinting of cultivars, hybrids and clones of 14 species originating from seven genera (species numbers in parentheses): Castanea (1), Cupressus (1), Pinus (3), Platanus (2), Populus (6), Prunus (1), Robinia (1).
(e) Development of molecular diagnostics for provenance identification of five species originating from two genera (species numbers in parentheses): Castanea (1), Quercus (4).
(f) evaluation of genetic diversity, investigation on the relations of genetic markers and quantitative traits, relationships of cultivars and natural populations in multipurpose species (Fagaceae, Prunus avium), employing already established field tests in cooperation with HRI-East Malling, INRA- Bordeau, CNRS-Montpellier, CNR-Firenze, University of Torino, Galicia Forest Research Institute, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences-Uppsala, Federal Forest Research Institute-Vienna, Freiburg University, ΙΝΑ-CERTH
(g) Selection of suitable genetic material for reforestations and afforestations of nine species originating from four genera (species numbers in parentheses): Castanea (1), Pinus (3), Prunus (1), Quercus (4).
(h) Selection of suitable for Greek conditions orchard genetic material of three species originating from three genera: Castanea (1) Juglans (1) Prunus (1).
(i) Selection, evaluation and fingerprinting of forest clonal genetic material for energy plantations of 9 species originating from 3 genera (species numbers in parentheses): Populus (6), Platanus (2), Robinia (1).
Aravanopoulos 2011 a novel proposal for a genetic monitoring approach in forest genetic resources.
Avtzis & Aravanopoulos 2011 2nd study ever of host-insect coevolution at the DNA sequence level in a woody perennial.
Ganopoulos, Aravanopoulos et al. 2011 contribution to the center-periphery population debate and to the value of rear-edge populations for forest genetic conservation.
Manescu et al. 2011 1st cypress (Cupressus spp.) molecular genetic map, ever.
Aravanopoulos 2010 one of a few comparative studies of dominant markers in forest trees, codominant markers and quantitative traits for fingerprinting; proposal for the use of a novel parameter, “information capacity”.
Aravanopoulos et al. 2010 one of a few studies on the genetic differences between intensively and extensively managed orchards.
Kourmpetis & Aravanopoulos 2010 a novel proposal for the use of fluctuating asymmetry as a bio-monitoring tool in forestry.
Neophytou et al. 2010 2nd study ever of porous genomes in woody perennials.
Aravanopoulos et al. 2005 one of the most comprehensive range-wide population genetics studies in a woody perennial of its time (82 European populations, 89 loci).
Gomez et al. 2003 1st report on genetic mapping in Pinus halepensis ever.
Aravanopoulos 2001 1st report on genetic mapping in Salix eriocephala ever; 1st report on linkage conservation above the species level in Salix.
Aravanopoulos et al. 2000 1st report ever about parental inheritance of chloroplast DNA in Group Halepensis pines.
Ghosn et al. 2000 1st report of molecular population analysis in a Cupressus species.
Harfouche et al. 2000 2nd report ever on linkage between a molecular marker and crown form in a woody perennial species.
Aravanopoulos 1998 (Silvae Genetica) 1st report on genetic mapping in Salix exigua ever.
Aravanopoulos 1998 (Progress in Botanical Research): genome length estimation method for perennial angiosperms.
Aravanopoulos & Zsuffa 1998 1st report on heterozygosity-biomass production associations in Salix, ever.
Thorsen et al. 1996 1st report on genetic mapping in Salix viminalis ever.
Chong et al. 1995 1st report for DNA fingerprinting using the M13 universal primer in a woody angiosperm.
Aravanopoulos et al. 1993 1st report ever, on the identification, evaluation and inheritance of genetic markers in Salix.
Aravanopoulos & Zsuffa 1991 1st report on non-conventional early selection criteria in Salix (heterozygosity, developmental stability).
Cheliak & Aravanopoulos 1991 (eds) 1st attempt in forest science literature to record mutants and characteristic forms of tree species worldwide, for future potential use in breeding programs.
Aravanopoulos 1990 1st report ever on maternal effects in Salix and in the possible effects of genomic imprinting and DNA methylation.
According to ISI Journal Citation Reports Subject Category lists and Impact Factors:
Overall, 93 papers were published in cooperation to 121 researchers (74 researchers from 17  countries other than Greece).
Graudal L, Aravanopoulos FA, Bennadji Z, Changtragoon S, Fady B, Kjaer ED, Loo J, Ramamonjisoa L, GG Vendramin 2014.Global to local genetic diversity indicators of evolutionary potential intree species within and outside forests. Forest Ecol. Manag. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco. 2014.05.002 (in press).
Wickneswari R, Rajora OP, Finkeldey R, Aravanopoulos FA, Bouvet JM, Vaillancourt RE, Kanashiro M, Fady B, Tomita M & C Vinson C 2014. Genetic effects of forest management practices: global synthesis and perspectives. Forest Ecology and Management DOI:10.1016/j.foreco.2014.06.008 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2014.06.008
Tchatchoua DT, Barbas E & FA Aravanopoulos 2014. Micropropagation of elite genotypes of Castatea sativa (Mill.). Journal of Advances in Biotechnology 3(2): 200-209.
Ganopoulos I, Xanthopoulou A, Aravanopoulos FA, Kazantzis K, Tsaftaris A and Madesis P 2013. Microsatellite high-resolution melting (SSR-HRM) analysis for identification of sweet cherry rootstocks in Greece. Plant Genetic Resources: Characterization and Utilization; 1–4 doi:10.1017/ S1479262113000403.
Ganopoulos I, Aravanopoulos FΑ, Madesis P, Pasentsis K, Bosmali I, Ouzounis C & Α Tsaftaris 2013. Τaxonomic identification of Mediterranean pines and their hybrids based on the High Resolution Melting (HRM) and trnL approaches: from cytoplasmic inheritance to timber tracing. Plos One 8(4): e60945. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0060945 (IF=4,092).
Ganopoulos I, Aravanopoulos FA, Argiriou A, Kalivas A & A Tsaftaris 2012. Genome and population dynamics under selection and neutrality: an example of S-allele diversity in wild cherry (Prunus avium L.). Tree Genetics and Genomes DOI 10.1007/s11295-012-0504-9, p. 1-10.
Ganopoulos IV, Aravanopoulos FA & A Tsaftaris 2012. Genetic differentiation and gene flow between wild and cultivated Prunus avium: an analysis of molecular genetic evidence at a regional scale. Plant Biosystems (in press).
Aravanopoulos FA 2011. Genetic monitoring in natural perennial plant populations. Botany 89: 75-81.
Avtzis DN & FA Aravanopoulos 2011. Genetic diversity of host tree and insect on the borderline of natural distribution: a case example of Picea abies Karst. and Pityogenes chalcographus (Coleoptera, Scolytnae) in the forest of Elatia (Drama, Greece). Silva Fennica 45(1): 157-164.
Ganopoulos I, Aravanopoulos FA, Argiriou A, Kalivas A & A Tsaftaris 2011. Is the genetic diversity of small scattered forest tree populations at the southern limits of their range more prone to stochastic events? A wild cherry case study by microsatellite-based markers. Tree Genetics and Genomes 7: 1299-1313.
Neophytou C, Aravanopoulos FA, Fink S & A Dounavi 2011b. Interfertile oaks in an island environment-II. Limited hybridization between Quercus alnifolia Poech and Q. coccifera L. in a mixed stand. European Journal of Forest Research 130: 623-635.
Neophytou C, Dounavi A, Fink S & FA Aravanopoulos 2011a. Interfertile oaks in an island environment-I. Ηybridization and genetic introgression between Quercus alnifolia and Q. coccifera in Cyprus. European Journal of Forest Research 130: 543-555.
Manescu C, Maios C, Hamamouch N, Harfouche A, Doulis A & FA Aravanopoulos 2011. Linkage mapping in Cupressus sempervirens L. based on molecular and morphological markers. Genetics and Molecular Research 10(3): 1891-1909.
Aravanopoulos FA, 2010. Breeding of fast growing forest tree species for biomass production in Greece. Biomass and Bioenergy 34: 1531-1537.
Aravanopoulos FA, 2010. Clonal identification based on quantitative, codominant, and dominant marker data: a comparative analysis of selected willow (Salix L.) clones. International Journal of Forest Research, Article ID 906310, 8 pp., doi:10.1155/2010/906310.
Aravanopoulos FA, 2010. Contribution of leaf morphometrics in the study of genetic entries in Salix. Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding 1(5): 1320-1328
Aravanopoulos FA, Mitsakaki A, Katsidi E, Avramidou E & E Sfakianaki 2010. Genetic Diversity and Structure of Intensively and Extensively Managed Chestnut (Castanea sativa) Orchards in Greece. Acta Horticulturae 866: 121-126.
Kourmpetis YAI & FA Aravanopoulos 2010. A comparative fluctuating asymmetry study between two walnut (Juglans regia L.) populations may contribute as an early signal for bio-monitoring. iForest 3: 150-152.
Tchatchoua DT & FA Aravanopoulos 2010a. Evaluation of selected European Chestnut (Castanea sativa) provenances I: inter-provenance genetic variation. Acta Horticulturae 866: 203-213.
Tchatchoua DT & FA Aravanopoulos 2010b. Evaluation of selected European Chestnut (Castanea sativa) provenances II: intra-provenance family variation. Acta Horticulturae 866: 215-224.
Avramidou E, Ganopoulos IV & FA Aravanopoulos 2010. DNA fingerprinting of elite Greek wild cherry (Prunus avium L.) genotypes using microsatellite markers. Forestry 83: 527-533.
Roubos K, Moustakas M & FA Aravanopoulos 2010. Molecular identification of Greek olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivars based on the analysis of microsatellite loci. Genetics and Molecular Research 9(3): 1865-1876.
Neophytou C, Aravanopoulos FA, Fink S & A Dounavi 2010. Detecting interspecific and geographic differentiation patterns in two interfertile oak species (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl. and Q. robur L.) using small sets of microsatellite markers. Forest Ecology and Management 259 (10): 2026-2035.
Neophytou C, Dounavi A & FA Aravanopoulos 2008. Conservation of nuclear SSR loci reveals high affinity of Quercus infectoria ssp. veneris A. Kern (Fagaceae) to section Robur.Plant Molecular Biology Reporter 26: 133-141.
Dini-Papanastasi O & FA Aravanopoulos 2008. Artificial hybridization between Robinia pseudoacacia L. and R. pseudoacacia var. monophylla Carr. Forestry 81: 91-101.
Neophytou C, Palli G, Dounavi A & FA Aravanopoulos 2007. Morphological differentiation and hybridization between Quercus alnifolia Poech. and Q. coccifera L. (Fagaceae) in Cyprus. Silvae Genetica 56(6): 271-277.
Villani F, Eriksson G, Bucci G, Aravanopoulos FA, Botta R, Diamantis S, Fernadez-Lopez J, Garrod G, Robin C, Romane F, Russel K, Vannini A, Akkak A, Alizoti P, Barreneche T, Blanco-Silva A, Buck E, Casasoli M, Cherubini M, Drouzas A, Grandjanny M, Grossman A, Kremer A, Lauteri M, Marinoni D, Mattioni C, Mavrogiannis M, Monteverdi C, Perlerou H, Plioura A, Sansotta A, Scarpa R, Spalato F & R Zas 2006. Complexity of genetic resources conservation and utilization of a differentially managed multi-purpose tree species (Castanea sativa Mill.): what, where and how to conserve. Advances in Horticultural Science 20(1): 117-129.
Aravanopoulos FA, 2005. Phenotypic variation and population relationships of chestnut (Castanea sativa) in Greece, revealed by multivariate analysis of leaf morphometrics. Acta Horticulturae 693: 23-240.
Alizoti P & FA Aravanopoulos 2005. Genetic variation of fruit traits in Hellenic chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) populations: a first assessment. Acta Horticulturae 693: 413-420.
Aravanopoulos FA & AD Drouzas 2005. Multilocus genetic structure of European chestnut (Castanea sativa) Hellenic clones and genetic diversity of orchard populations. Acta Horticulturae 693: 447-452.
Aravanopoulos FA, Bucci G, Akkak A, Blanco-Silva R, Botta R, Buck E, Cherubini M, Drouzas AD, Fernandez-Lopez J, Mattioni C, Marinoni D, Papadima A, Russell K, Zas R & F Villani 2005. Molecular population genetics and dynamics of chestnut (Castanea sativa) in Europe: inferences for gene conservation and tree improvement. Acta Horticulturae 693: 403-412.
Fernadez-Lopez J, Aravanopoulos FA, Botta R, Villani F, Alizoti P, Cherubini M, Diaz R, Mellano G, Zas R & G Eriksson 2005. Geographic variability among extreme European wild chestnut populations. Acta Horticulturae 693: 181-186.
Eriksson G, Villani F, Bucci G, Aravanopoulos FA, Botta R, Diamantis S, Fernadez-Lopez J, Garrod G, Robin C, Romane F, Russel K, Vannini A, Akkak A, Alizoti P, Barreneche T, Blanco-Silva A, Buck E, Casasoli M, Cherubini M, Drouzas A, Grandjanny M, Grossman A, Kremer A, Lauteri M, Marinoni D, Mattioni C, Mavrogiannis M, Monteverdi C, Perlerou H, Plioura A, Sansotta A, Scarpa R, Spalato F & R Zas 2005. Management of genetic resources of the multi-purpose tree species Castanea sativa Mill. Acta Horticulturae 693: 373-386.
Aravanopoulos FA, Panetsos KP & A. Scaltsoyiannes 2004. Genetic structure of Pinus brutia stands exposed to wild fires. Plant Ecology 171: 175-183.
Aravanopoulos FA 2003. Molecular identification of micropropagated plants. Acta Horticulturae 616: 25-47 (invited paper).
Gomez A, Aravanopoulos FA Bueno MA & R Alia 2003. Linkage of random amplified polymorphic DNA markers in Pinus halepensis Mill. Silvae Genetica 51(5-6): 196-201.
Bariteau M, Alptekin U, Aravanopoulos FA, Asmar F, Bentouati A, Benzyane M, Derridj A, Ducci F, Isik F, Khaldi A, Khouja ML, Paoletti E, Raddi P, Martin-Albertos S, Sbay H, Schiller G, Tessier du Cros E, Varela MC & GG Vendramin 2003. Les resources génétiques forestières dans le basin Méditerranéen. Fôret Méditerranéenne 24(2): 148-158.
Tsiouris SE, Aravanopoulos FA, Papadoyiannis IN, Sofoniou MK, Polyzopoulos N, Samanidou VF, Zachariadis GA & HIA Constantinidou 2003. Soil silver mobility in areas subjected to cloud seeding with AgI. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin 12(9): 1059-1063.
Tsiouris SE, Aravanopoulos FA, Papadoyiannis IN, Sofoniou MK, Polyzopoulos N, Samanidou VF, Zachariadis GA & HIA Constantinidou 2002. Soil silver content of agricultural areas subjected to cloud seeding with silver iodide. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin 11(9): 697-702.
Aravanopoulos FA, 2001. Genetic linkage analysis in Salix eriocephala suggests linkage conservation above the species level. Forest Genetics 8(2): 145-149.
Aravanopoulos FA, Drouzas AD & PG Alizoti 2001. Electrophoretic and quantitative variation in chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) in Hellenic populations in old-growth natural and coppice stands. Forest Snow and Landscape Research 76(3): 429-434.
Aravanopoulos FA, 2000. Absence of association between heterozygosity and biomass production in Salix exigua Nutt. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 100 (8): 1203-1208.
Harfouche A, Aravanopoulos FA, Doulis AG & S Xenopoulos 2000. Identification of RAPD markers associated with crown form in Cupressus sempervirens by bulked segregant analysis. Forest Genetics 7(3): 169-176.
Doulis AG, Harfouche A & FA Aravanopoulos 1999. Rapid high quality DNA isolation from cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.) needles and optimization of the RAPD marker technique. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter 17: 1-14.
Aravanopoulos FA, Kim KH & L Zsuffa 1999. Genetic diversity of superior Salix clones selected for intensive forestry plantations. Biomass and Bioenergy 16: 249-255.
Aravanopoulos FA, 1998. Analysis of genetic linkage in Salix exigua Nutt. Silvae Genetica 47(2-3): 127-131.
Aravanopoulos FA, 1998. Environmental pollution effects on the evolutionary genetics of forest trees. European Environmental Research 1(2): 29-52.
Aravanopoulos FA & L Zsuffa 1998. Heterozygosity and biomass production in Salix eriocephala. Heredity 81: 396-403.
Panetsos KP, Aravanopoulos FA & A Skaltsoyiannes 1998. Genetic variation of Pinus brutia in islands of the north eastern Aegean Sea. Silvae Genetica 47(2-3): 115-120.
Kim KH, Aravanopoulos FA & L Zsuffa 1997. A contribution to the pollen morphology of Hippocastanaceae. Journal of the Korean Forestry Society 86(2): 251-258.
Panetsos KP, Skaltsoyiannes AB, Aravanopoulos FA, Dounavi K & A Dimitrakopoulos 1997. Identification of Pinus brutia Ten., P. halepensis Mill. and their putative hybrids. Silvae Genetica 46(5): 253-257.
Thorsen H, Jorde PE, Aravanopoulos FA, Gullberg U & L Zsuffa 1996. Inheritance and linkage of isozyme loci in the basket willow Salix viminalis L. Journal of Heredity 88(2): 144-150.
Chong DKX, Zsuffa L & FA Aravanopoulos 1995. Genetic relationship between Salix exigua and other North American willows (Salix L.): evidence from allozyme variation. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology 23(7/8): 767-771.
Chong KX, Yeh FC, Aravanopoulos FA & L Zsuffa 1995. DNA fingerprinting Willows (Salix L.) using polymerase chain reaction with the M13 universal primer. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research 10: 27-31.
Aravanopoulos FA, Zsuffa L & KX Chong 1994. Inheritance analysis of isoenzyme genes in Salix eriocephala Michx. Journal of Heredity 85: 381-388.
Aravanopoulos FA & L Zsuffa 1993. Molecular markers as probes in screening genetic diversity and gene pool sustainability in Salix intensive forestry. Journal of Sustainable Forestry 1(3): 1-7.
Aravanopoulos FA & L Zsuffa 1993. Growth-allometry relations in Salix species and families having different tree form and being under different mating design. Forestry Chronicle 69(6): 717-720.
Aravanopoulos FA, Zsuffa L & KX Chong 1993. The genetic basis of electrophoretic variation in Salix exigua Nutt. Hereditas 119: 77-88.