Athanasios Gertsis
Athanasios Gertsis
Professor of Agronomy
Perrotis College/American Farm School, Greece
A Thessaloniki, GREECE native, Dr. Athanasios Gertsis completed undergraduate degrees in Agriculture (BSc in Crop production) , in Thessaloniki and transferred to further his education in the USA. He received his BSc and MSc degrees from Mississippi State University (Miss State, MS) –and a Ph.D. degree from Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX) , in USA. His Post-Doctoral research was in the University Of Thessaly, Volos-Greece/
He was a Adjunct Faculty at the former Technological Education Institution, School of Crop Production, Thessaloniki (from 1993-2012). He joined the founding faculty at Perrotis College in 1996 and he continues as a Professor, to lead teaching and research in the upgraded programs (BSc and MSc) of Perrotis College /American Farm School.
His major areas of teaching and research include: Precision Agriculture for sustainable production (expertise on RPASS-Remotely Piloted Aerial Application systems, aka Spraying and seeding drones), Low Input Sustainable Agricultural (LISA) systems, Soil-plant-water relationships and simulation models, , application of biostimulants and new soil improvement products for climate change mitigation, Innovative olive production systems adapted for mechanical harvesting and special hydroponics in floating systems for leafy vegetables.
He authored books and chapters in books and presented and published research work on the above thematic areas. He developed Perrotis College’s globally unique BSc degree with specialization in Precision Agriculture, offered through the Dept. of Sustainable Agriculture & Management. He Chairs the new MSc program (2020) in Sustainable Agriculture and Management.
He also serves as the Director of the 2014 established Krinos Olive Center of Perrotis College/AFS. He holds the International copyright of the SO.CR.A.T.E.E.S.© (Soil Crop Atmosphere and Technology- Education and Evaluation Systems) acronym, the cornerstone of the holistic management systems at Perrotis College. His book (2nd edition) was published on Dec. 2023.
He was awarded by The President of the Hellenic Republic, HE Carolos Papoulias in 2018, for his contribution to Innovative agricultural technologies transfer in Greece.