Professor Georgios Papazisis, MD, PhD, is a Full Professor of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. A certified psychiatrist and clinical pharmacologist, he currently serves as Medical Director of the Clinical Research Unit at Papageorgiou Hospital. He also chairs the postgraduate program in Vaccines and Infectious Diseases and leads the Bioethics Committee at the School of Medicine. He is actively involved in national and European pharmacological and bioethics organizations, including the UEMS and CIOMS. Dr. Papazisis plays a central role in coordinating and supervising early-phase clinical trials and pharmacovigilance activities in Greece. He has published over 110 papers, contributed to international book chapters, and has earned over 3500 citations. A seasoned clinical researcher and educator, his international collaborations and numerous awards underline his commitment to advancing pharmacology, psychiatry, and public health through ethical and evidence-based medical research.
Professional Profile
Education
Dr. Georgios Papazisis obtained his MD from the School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (1992–1998), followed by a PhD in Pharmacology/Physiology from the same institution (2000–2005). He completed his specialization in Psychiatry at the Psychiatric Hospital of Thessaloniki (2003–2008), and later obtained board certification in the medical sub-specialty of Clinical Pharmacology (2021). He has also received international training in Good Clinical Practice (GCP) from the NIDA Clinical Trials Network, USA (February 2025) and is an Advanced Life Support (ALS) certified provider by the European Resuscitation Council (March 2025). His education emphasizes a strong foundation in both basic science and clinical application, integrating disciplines such as pharmacology, psychiatry, and clinical trial management. This diverse academic background has allowed him to build a career bridging laboratory research, clinical practice, and regulatory science in both national and international settings.
Experience
Professor Papazisis has extensive experience spanning over two decades in psychiatry, pharmacology, and clinical research. Since 2008, he has maintained a private psychiatry practice while actively contributing to academic and institutional research. He became Medical Director of the Clinical Research Unit at Papageorgiou Hospital in 2021 and was appointed Professor of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology in 2023. He has coordinated multiple phase I to IV clinical trials, led vaccine safety evaluations, and participated in EU-funded research including Horizon2020 and the c4c project. His clinical research focuses on drug and vaccine safety, pharmacovigilance, and neuropsychopharmacology. In parallel, he serves as Chair of the Bioethics Committee and leads a postgraduate program on vaccines and infectious diseases. He also acts as Greece’s pharmacovigilance expert for several international studies and is affiliated with global networks such as Vaccelerate, CIOMS, and the World Psychiatric Association’s Evidence-Based Psychiatry section.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Georgios Papazisis has been the recipient of several research, teaching, and mentoring awards from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, recognizing his contributions to medical education and translational research. His international reputation is reflected through invited participation in key regulatory and scientific committees, such as the UEMS and CIOMS. He has completed elite pharmacovigilance training at the WHO’s Uppsala Monitoring Centre and was honored as a pharmacovigilance representative in major EU pediatric and adult trials. Additionally, he is acknowledged for his leadership in the Vaccelerate project, which accelerates COVID-19 vaccine trials across Europe. His publication record, with over 110 articles and a citation count exceeding 3500, demonstrates his scholarly impact. His co-authorship of four book chapters in high-profile publications further reflects his academic excellence. These distinctions underscore his dedication to improving public health, ethical clinical research, and the safety of pharmaceuticals and vaccines worldwide.
Research Focus
Dr. Papazisis’s research focuses on clinical trials, pharmacovigilance, psychotropic and vaccine safety, pharmacoepidemiology, immunopharmacology, and neuropsychopharmacology. He specializes in evaluating the safety and efficacy of novel therapeutics in both adult and pediatric populations. His work integrates psychiatry and pharmacology, addressing critical challenges in drug monitoring, especially in real-world settings. He has contributed significantly to international research initiatives like c4c, JUSTSO, and Vaccelerate, where he led or supported multiple clinical trials in Greece. His interest in ethics is also evident in his leadership roles in medical ethics committees and involvement with CIOMS. His research approach combines regulatory science, clinical pharmacology, and public health. With a particular focus on patient safety and drug effectiveness, he advances evidence-based practices for improved therapeutic interventions. His collaborations with global institutions highlight a commitment to multidimensional, interdisciplinary research that bridges basic science, clinical medicine, and societal needs.
Conclusion
Professor Georgios Papazisis is highly deserving of the Best Researcher Award. His exceptional contributions to clinical pharmacology, ethical leadership, and global clinical trials reflect sustained excellence and international impact. His blend of academic productivity, regulatory leadership, and commitment to pharmacovigilance makes him a model candidate. By integrating digital innovation and expanding translational outreach, his already stellar profile could become even more transformative in the future.
Publications
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Title: Antipsychotic drugs: from receptor-binding profiles to metabolic side effects
Authors: S. Siafis, D. Tzachanis, M. Samara, G. Papazisis
Journal: Current Neuropharmacology, 2018
Volume/Issue: 16(8), 1210–1223
DOI: 10.2174/1570159X15666180509113904
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Title: Eating habits, health attitudes and obesity indices among medical students in northern Greece
Authors: M. Chourdakis, T. Tzellos, G. Papazisis, K. Toulis, D. Kouvelas
Journal: Appetite, 2010
Volume/Issue: 55(3), 722–725
DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2010.09.008
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Title: Religious and spiritual beliefs, self‐esteem, anxiety, and depression among nursing students
Authors: G. Papazisis, P. Nicolaou, E. Tsiga, T. Christoforou, D. Sapountzi‐Krepia
Journal: Nursing & Health Sciences, 2014
Volume/Issue: 16(2), 232–238
DOI: 10.1111/nhs.12101
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Title: Gabapentin and pregabalin in the treatment of fibromyalgia: a systematic review and a meta‐analysis
Authors: T.G. Tzellos, K.A. Toulis, D.G. Goulis, G. Papazisis, V.A. Zampeli, A. Vakfari, …
Journal: Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 2010
Volume/Issue: 35(6), 639–656
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2710.2009.01123.x
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Title: Comorbidity of obsessive–compulsive disorder with obsessive–compulsive personality disorder: Does it imply a specific subtype of obsessive–compulsive disorder?
Authors: G. Garyfallos, K. Katsigiannopoulos, A. Adamopoulou, G. Papazisis, …
Journal: Psychiatry Research, 2010
Volume/Issue: 177(1–2), 156–160
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2009.03.005
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Title: Efficacy of pregabalin and gabapentin for neuropathic pain in spinal-cord injury: an evidence-based evaluation of the literature
Authors: T.G. Tzellos, G. Papazisis, E. Amaniti, D. Kouvelas
Journal: European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 2008
Volume: 64, 851–858
DOI: 10.1007/s00228-008-0515-1
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Title: Psychological distress, anxiety and depression among nursing students in Greece
Authors: G. Papazisis, E. Tsiga, N. Papanikolaou, I. Vlasiadis, D. Sapountzi-Krepia
Journal: International Journal of Caring Sciences, 2008
Volume/Issue: 1(1), 42
Link: http://www.internationaljournalofcaringsciences.org/docs/vol1_issue1_07_papazisis.pdf
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Title: Efficacy, safety and tolerability of green tea catechins in the treatment of external anogenital warts: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: T.G. Tzellos, C. Sardeli, A. Lallas, G. Papazisis, M. Chourdakis, D. Kouvelas
Journal: JEADV, 2011
Volume/Issue: 25(3), 345–353
DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2010.03733.x
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Title: Epidemiology of antenatal depression among women with high-risk pregnancies due to obstetric complications: a scoping review
Authors: I. Tsakiridis, V. Bousi, T. Dagklis, C. Sardeli, V. Nikolopoulou, G. Papazisis
Journal: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 2019
Volume: 300, 849–859
DOI: 10.1007/s00404-019-05234-0
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Title: Respiratory syncytial virus vaccines: a review of the candidates and the approved vaccines
Authors: X. Topalidou, A.M. Kalergis, G. Papazisis
Journal: Pathogens, 2023
Volume/Issue: 12(10), 1259
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12101259
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Title: Evaluation of dietary habits and assessment of cardiovascular disease risk factors among Greek university students
Authors: M. Chourdakis, T. Tzellos, C. Pourzitaki, K.A. Toulis, G. Papazisis, …
Journal: Appetite, 2011
Volume/Issue: 57(2), 377–383
DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2011.06.005
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Title: COVID-19 vaccines adverse events: potential molecular mechanisms
Authors: M. Lamprinou, A. Sachinidis, E. Stamoula, T. Vavilis, G. Papazisis
Journal: Immunologic Research, 2023
Volume/Issue: 71(3), 356–372
DOI: 10.1007/s12026-023-09313-6
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Title: PDE5 inhibitors: in vitro and in vivo pharmacological profile
Authors: D. Kouvelas, A. Goulas, G. Papazisis, C. Sardeli, C. Pourzitaki
Journal: Current Pharmaceutical Design, 2009
Volume/Issue: 15(30), 3464–3475
DOI: 10.2174/138161209789271792
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Title: Prevalence of antenatal depression and associated factors among pregnant women hospitalized in a high-risk pregnancy unit in Greece
Authors: T. Dagklis, G. Papazisis, I. Tsakiridis, F. Chouliara, A. Mamopoulos, …
Journal: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 2016
Volume: 51, 1025–1031
DOI: 10.1007/s00127-016-1249-6