Dr Andreas Flouris has been named in Time Magazine’s Time100 Next list for 2023, gaining recognition for his global contributions in addressing the issue of intense heat conditions and its effects on workers.
Dr Flouris, an Associate Professor with the Department of Exercise Science at the University of Thessaly, earned his spot on the list (which recognises rising leaders in health, climate, business, sports, the arts and more) for his work in the fields of physiology, environmental health, and sustainability.
The environmental physiologist’s work is aimed at applying hard science to labour policy, collaborating with numerous organisations/governments in developing preventative measures to reduce the impacts of environmental factors for workers, athletes and the general population, and establishing rest and rehydration protocols for high-heat conditions.
Dr Flouris has spent more than 15 years advising government and international organisations on the health effects of climate change and environmental factors, and on environmental sustainability, health impact assessment, and risk communication.
These include the Greek Ministry of Labour, the Cypriot Presidency, the Qatari Ministry of Labour, the World Health Organization, the International Labour Organization, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the European Space Agency, and NASA.
Dr Flouris is notably the founder and Director of the Functional Architecture of Mammals in their Environment (FAME) Laboratory at the University of Thessaly’s Department of Physical Education and Sport Science.
In this role, he oversees 16 researchers who investigate the health and performance effects of environmental factors, with a focus on the impacts of heat.
Currently, Dr Flouris is also developing a weather app that factors in local conditions to better inform workers, and their employers, on how to stay safe.
The environmental physiologist thanked Time Magazine for his inclusion, as well as the FAME Laboratory team who are conducting this research on his X (formerly twitter) account, and wrote:
“Within the climate breakdown we are experiencing this will strengthen my voice for climate change protection and adaptation.”
