Born in Egypt of Greek parents, he prepared his D.Sc. on the genetic parameters of milk production of the Lacaune sheep of the Roquefort region, under the leadership of Jacques Poly, then head of the Animal Genetics Unit of INRA, France.

He has studied and worked successively in Pretoria, Paris, Los Angeles and Rome, simultaneously being Ass. Professor at the University of Thessaloniki.

Secretary General of EAAP, WAAP and ICAR he also was responsible for FAO’s Cooperative Research Networks in Europe and the Near East.

Member and President, of the EU’s Scientific Advisory Committee on Appellations of Origin, Geographic Denominations and Special Products since its creation; he has been, from 2003 to the end of 2006, Coordinator of the regional programs at the World Animal Health Organization (OIE).

Editor in Chief of Livestock Science and Small Ruminant Research, he has mainly published scientifically on sheep and goat production and genetics. He is a Past President and President Emeritus of IGA.