Konstantina Mergia At the 32nd ENSA Meeting Garching, October 9, 2009 with other ENSA delegates of different countries.

Konstantina Mergia

Institute of Nuclear Technology and Radiation Protection N.C.S.R.

Your studies? Scientific field?

BSc in Physics, University of Athens
PhD in Physics, University of Athens
Scientific Fields: Fusion related materials science; radiation damage effects; thin film magnetism.

Pease tell us more about your neutron-scattering background

I have been using neutron scattering techniques (neutron diffraction, neutron reflectometry, small-angle neutron scattering, neutron inelastic scattering) in different research fields such as precipitation kinetics in alloys, crystalline and magnetic structures, magnetic thin films, porous materials, oxidation coatings, etc.
Experience in the design and installation of neutron apparatus (neutron diffractometer and reflectometer) and in neutron instrumentation (detectors, optical systems) at the Greek research reactor.
Performance of more than 25 experiments at Neutron Scattering Large Scale facilities

Step by step to your current position?

Jan 2009 – today Senior Researcher at the National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos”
Jan 2007-Dec 2009 Research Associate at the National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos”
Feb 2003 – Dec 2006 Researcher at the National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos” , Responsible for the development of neutron scattering instrumentation at the Greek research reactor
Aug 2002 – Sep 1998 Post graduate researcher at the National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, co-responsible for the design and installation of the neutron diffractometer at the Greek research reactor
1997 – 1998 Post graduate researcher at the University of Athens

Publications?

25 publications in scientific journals
32 publications in conference proceedings
41 technical reports

Percentage time for your family/ work/ for you?

Nine hours per day at work
The rest spent with family

Who or what is your mentor or greatest inspiration?

Dr Spyros Messoloras was my mentor

What is the most challenging thing you have faced in your career?

To keep a balance between personal life and the demands of a career in Science.

Contact details

Konstantina Mergia
National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos”
Institute of Nuclear Technology and Radiation Protection
15310 Aghia Paraskevi
Athens
Greece
e-mail: kmergia@ipta.demokritos.gr