Vasiliki (Vicky) Polychronidou
Project Title: PeatFor project – Stable isotope assessment of soil biogeochemical cycles driving carbon and nitrogen losses to air and water from forests on blanket and raised peats
Biography: Vasiliki Polychronidou is a PhD researcher in Natural Sciences based at Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, in collaboration with Trinity College Dublin. Her research focuses on understanding how forested peat soils store and release carbon and nitrogen, with a particular emphasis on soil biogeochemical cycles and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions as part of Task 5 of the PeatFor project.
Peatland forests cover a large proportion of Ireland’s forest estate and play a crucial role in climate change mitigation. However, these soils can also emit powerful greenhouse gases. By improving how we measure and model these emissions, Vasiliki’s work helps build more accurate carbon budgets for peatland forests and supports better forest management decisions that balance climate action, biodiversity, and water quality.
Vasiliki has a strong background in environmental modelling, risk assessment, and data analysis, with previous research experience in PFAS bioaccumulation and human health risk assessment and has authored relevant publications. Outside of research, she enjoys staying active through basketball, sport and fitness.
Teagasc email: v.polychronidou@teagasc.ie
University email:polychrv@tcd.ie
Teagasc Research Programme: Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme
Research Location: Teagasc Johnstown Castle
University: Trinity College Dublin
Teagasc Supervisor: Matthew Saunders
Funder: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM)