Katerina Charitonidou Australian Society for Fish Biology Conference 2025

Katerina Charitonidou

From the Mediterranean to the Southern Ocean, I’ve followed the trail of fish eggs and oocyte dynamics to uncover the secrets of fish reproduction. With a PhD in Biology and a postdoctoral role at the University of Tasmania’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, my work bridges cellular biology, ecological fieldwork, and advanced data analytics to tackle complex questions in fisheries science. My research journey has been anything but linear starting with experimental work on nanoparticle toxicity in seagrasses and filtration dynamics in marine sponges, I’ve cultivated a deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of marine systems. This early foundation in ecotoxicology and invertebrate physiology continues to inform my holistic approach to fish reproductive ecology today. Nowadays, my research interest is focused on the reproductive biology and stock assessment of small pelagic fish. My research integrates field surveys, lab-based analysis, and advanced statistical modelling to support sustainable fisheries management. I have authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and actively contribute to international scientific networks, including the ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) working group on Atlantic fish larvae and eggs surveys. My work has been supported by competitive funding from the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), the State Scholarships Foundation (IKY), and the European Union. Qualifications PhD, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 2018- 2023 PhD thesis: “Interspecies differences in oocyte fine structure and dynamics of oogenesis in pelagic fishes” MSc. Sustainable Management of Aquatic Environment, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Thessaly, 2016-2017 MSc thesis: “Histological study of the commercial fish reproduction” BSc in Biology, School of Biology, Faculty of Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 2010-2016 BSc thesis: “Effects of CuO nanoparticles on the function of photosystem II in the marine seagrass Cymodocea nodosa.”