Vassilis Charmandaris is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH) and Professor of Observational Astrophysics at the University of Crete. His career has spanned research institutions across France and the United States, including Paris Observatory and Cornell University, where he contributed to the development of the Infrared Spectrograph for NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. His research focuses on galaxy evolution and understanding the energy sources at the centers of distant galaxies. Over the years he has held several leadership roles in Greek science, including founding Director of the Institute of Astrophysics at FORTH, Director of Skinakas Observatory, as well as President of the Hellenic Astronomical Society. He has also served on science policy committees at the European Space Agency and INSU/CNRS in France. Recent honours include the 2023 Public Service Award of the University of Crete, title of Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques by the French Republic in 2024, and the 2026 Lodewijk Woltjer Lecture of the European Astronomical Society.