Dr. Nikolaos K. Zouros is a Professor of Physical Geography with emphasis on Geomorphology - Geotectonics and Geodynamics at the Department of Geography, and Vice Dean of the School of Social Sciences at the University of the Aegean. He is the Director of the Interdepartmental Postgraduate Program "Natural Hazards and Disaster Management" and the Director of the Museum of Natural History of the Petrified Forest of Lesvos since its founding in 1995.

His research interests and publications focus on the following areas: geomorphology - morphotectonics, tectonic geology, active tectonics - geotectonics and geodynamics, geological - geomorphological mapping, geography - management - enhancement of natural monuments and geosites - Geoparks, geomorphological - geological parameters in the design and construction of engineering works.

With 25 years of teaching and research experience, his research has resulted in more than 100 publications in international journals, collective volumes, and conference proceedings. He is the author of more than 15 books and editions.

He has served as the unpaid Director of the Museum of Natural History of the Petrified Forest of Lesvos since its founding in 1995. He heads the research on the Petrified Forest of Lesvos, is the scientific coordinator of numerous research projects, and curator-coordinator of major natural history exhibitions in Greece and abroad.

Dr. Zouros played a crucial role in the recognition of Lesvos by UNESCO as a Global Geopark.

He is one of the founders of the Geoparks institution at the European and global levels. Since 2014, he has been the elected President of the Global Geoparks Network and a member of the Council of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Programme. For 17 years, he was the coordinator of the European Geoparks Network.

He is the President of the National Geoparks Committee of the Greek National Commission for UNESCO.

He is a member of several National and International Committees, Scientific Bodies, and Scientific Societies. He heads the research and excavation works for the enhancement of the Petrified Forest of Lesvos. He is responsible for research in the Petrified Forest of Lemnos, responsible for research works for the recording and documentation of geosites in Lesvos and the islands of the Aegean, and has conducted joint research projects for the enhancement - protection - conservation of geological monuments in Greece and China.

He has organized a series of International Conferences and Symposia. He is the Director of the International Geoparks Intensive School.

He has more than 100 publications in international journals, collective volumes, and conference proceedings. He is the author of 25 books on the enhancement and utilization of natural monuments.