Dr Ioannis Sotiropoulos is the leader of a research group and Director of the Laboratory of Brain Exosomes and Pathology - ExoBrain, at the Institute of Biosciences & Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos" in Athens (Greece).

Dr Sotiropoulos graduated in Biology from the Faculty of Biology at the University of Patras (Greece). In 2006, he was awarded a PhD by Heidelberg University and the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry (Germany). He has further developed his research expertise at prestigious international institutions such as University College London (UK), Columbia University (USA), RIKEN Brain Science Institute (Japan), MRC Centre for Synaptic Plasticity (UK), and the School of Medicine at the University of Minho (Portugal).

Dr Sotiropoulos's research focuses on understanding the role of risk factors (including chronic stress and persistent pain) in the development of Alzheimer's disease, with particular emphasis on the links between Alzheimer's disease and depressive disorders. His research aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease and to identify novel biomarkers, therapeutic targets, and medicinal substances, including the use of extracellular vesicles (EVs).

Dr Sotiropoulos is also a member of numerous scientific societies and expert groups, including the Hellenic Initiative Against Alzheimer's Disease (HIAAD.gr), the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP), and the Mediterranean Neuroscience Society.

In recognition of his scientific achievements, Dr Ioannis Sotiropoulos has received numerous awards, including the Hirnliga Alzheimer Award, ECNP Fellowship Award, Janssen Innovation Prize, and the Alzheimer's Association Award for Best Mentor in Neuroscience.