Maria C. Holeva, BSc, PhD. Plant Pathologist, Bacteriologist, Associate Research Scientist in charge of the Laboratory of Bacteriology of the Benaki Phytopathological Institute (BPI). Maria Holeva entered the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA), Department of Crop Science, ranking among the first three out of 350 students who passed the National Entrance Examinations, a distinction for which she was awarded a scholarship by the State Scholarships Foundation. In 1997, she obtained her BSc Degree in Agronomy (Agronomist, Ingénieur Agronome,) scoring ‘excellent’ (grade 9 out of 10), with principal subjects in 'Plant Protection and Environment'. Being awarded a scholarship by the Greek Ministry of National Economy, she did postgraduate studies (1999-2003) at the University of Dundee, Scotland, U.K., and was awarded the Ph.D. degree. Her doctoral research studies were carried out at the Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI), on the topic: ‘A molecular study of the type III secretion system in Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica’. During 2003-2004 she was appointed at the SCRI to conduct postdoctoral research on the pathogenicity mechanisms of the plant pathogen bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp atroseptica. From 2005 to 2006, she was appointed as an Associate Lecturer at the University of Thessaly, Greece, to teach undergraduates ‘Agricultural & Environmental Microbiology’ and ‘Phytopathology’ (theoretical courses and Laboratory exercises). Since 2006 she has been conducting applied research on plant pathogenic bacteria (disease diagnosis, host-pathogen relationships) at BPI. She has gained research experience through participation in: national/industry/EU-funded projects, inter-laboratory proficiency (ring) testing at EU or international level, and pest risk analysis commissioned by NPPO and EPPO. She has published 14 articles in peer-reviewed journals, which have received more than 400 citations, and she has participated in several national and international congresses.