How does it feel to receive such recognition from your peers in the pipeline industry?

Winning the YPI Early Achievement Award at ptc this year was truly unbelievable. To be honest, I still have moments where I think, “Did that really happen?”

It was an incredibly overwhelming and emotional moment for me. Receiving an award like this is a wonderful reminder that the work, effort, and time I have invested over the years are being recognised by others. It made me feel very proud of what I have achieved so far in my career.

What means even more to me is that this award is not just recognition of past achievements—it is also motivation for the future. It encourages me to keep working hard, continue supporting young professionals, and help people whenever I have the opportunity to do so. Seeing the positive impact we can have on others is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.

Of course, after winning this award, there is now only one logical next step: apparently, I need to start collecting even more awards! On a serious note, though, this recognition has inspired me to keep learning, growing, and contributing to our industry and professional community.

I am incredibly grateful and honoured to have received it.
 

Could you tell us about your background and how you became involved in the pipeline industry?

That's actually a very good question. Sometimes I joke that the pipeline industry got involved with me, rather than the other way around!

Growing up, I always knew what I didn't want to do, but I wasn't always sure what I wanted to do. So, in some ways, I let life guide me toward opportunities and trusted the journey.

I am originally from Greece and graduated as a geologist from a Greek university. Shortly after graduation, I had the opportunity to work on an environmental project in Cairo, Egypt. Once that project was completed, I made a conscious decision to take some time to gain life experience, because I believe life experience is just as valuable as work experience.

During my years in Egypt, I travelled extensively, met people from many different backgrounds, and learned how to adapt to different cultures and working environments. Travelling and connecting with people is something I genuinely enjoy, and I think it has helped me become very adaptable and open-minded.

Before moving abroad, I had also completed courses in psychology and education for children with special needs, which led me to work in an international primary school. Later, I spent six months in Kenya as an Assistant Event Manager. Along the way, I worked in various roles and industries, which gave me the opportunity to see challenges from different perspectives and develop a broad range of skills.

After almost five years in Cairo, I felt it was time to return to my original technical ambitions. I was accepted into a Master's programme in Petroleum Engineering at the Technical University of Lisbon in Portugal. After one year, I received a sponsorship opportunity to continue my studies in Germany, where I specialised in Reservoir Engineering and developed an Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) tool as part of my academic work.

When I graduated, the COVID-19 pandemic had just begun, and like many people, I faced a very uncertain job market. Then an opportunity came along at ROSEN as a Technical Data Analyst, specialising in EMAT technology. That role introduced me to the pipeline industry—and the rest is history.

Looking back, my career path was certainly not a straight line. It has taken me through different countries, cultures, industries, and professions. But every step taught me something valuable, and all those experiences have shaped who I am today.

So yes, you could say that the pipeline industry found me rather than me finding it—but I have never regretted it. In fact, it turned out to be one of the best things that could have happened to me professionally.
 

Could you discuss significant milestones that have led you to where you are right now in your career?

When I look back at the significant milestones that have led me to where I am today, I think one thing has always been consistent: whatever I choose to do, I commit to it fully. I like to give my best effort, continuously improve, and make sure I do it well.

I am also someone who adapts quickly and learns even faster. Curiosity has probably been one of the biggest drivers throughout my career. In fact, one of my previous managers used to call me the "Curious Monkey" because I was always asking questions and wanting to learn more. I think he meant it as a compliment... at least I hope so!

For me, understanding something means understanding the bigger picture. In the pipeline industry, for example, my daily work focuses on data, but my interest goes far beyond that. I want to learn about construction, operations, refineries, pigging, environmental challenges, regulations, emerging technologies, and most importantly, the people behind the industry. I am fascinated by how all these pieces come together.

That curiosity is one of the reasons I became involved with YPI and with YPPE. Through these organisations, I have had the opportunity to connect with professionals from around the world, attend conferences, support young professionals, and contribute to the growth of our industry.

One milestone that I am particularly proud of is the leadership experience I have gained alongside my professional career. Today, I balance a full-time job, my personal life, my role as an advisor within YPI supporting other young professional regions, and my role leading YPPE, a team of around 20 volunteers located across different European countries.

When I say it out loud, I sometimes wonder myself how I manage to juggle all of that while still finding time to enjoy life outside of work! But I believe it comes down to passion. When you genuinely enjoy what you do and care about the people you work with, you somehow find the energy to make it happen.

More than any title or award, I think the ability to balance these responsibilities, continue learning, support others, and still enjoy the journey is one of my greatest achievements so far.
 

Can you share any notable projects or initiatives you've worked on that have had a significant impact on the pipeline industry?

Well, I may not be able to say that I have developed a revolutionary technology or led a project that completely transformed the pipeline industry. However, I can confidently say that my work has a real impact on the world.

As an ILI data analyst, my job is to analyse inspection data and identify potential threats to pipeline integrity. On paper, that might sound like sitting behind a computer looking at data all day. In reality, there is a lot of responsibility behind every project.

Whenever I start analysing a dataset, I am very aware that if a significant defect or crack is missed, the consequences could be serious—ranging from environmental damage and operational disruptions to risks for public safety. No pressure, right?

What motivates me is knowing that the work we do helps operators make informed decisions and contributes to keeping people, communities, and the environment safe. While I may not be inventing the next groundbreaking pipeline technology, I like to think that I play a small part in ensuring that the technology and infrastructure we already have continue to operate safely and reliably.

So, perhaps my greatest contribution is being one of the people helping to prevent disasters that never make the news—which, in my profession, is actually a very good thing!
 

In your experience, what are some of the key challenges that the pipeline industry faces today?

The pipeline industry currently faces the dual challenge of managing aging infrastructure        while integrating advanced digital technologies, like monitoring, to prevent leaks and ensure operational safety. Simultaneously, navigating complex, evolving environmental regulations and public scrutiny requires a major shift toward sustainable practices and lower-carbon transport solutions. Also, Let’s not forget any kind of geopolitical pressure that we can not predict.
 

What role do you believe young professionals can play in shaping the future of the pipeline industry?

I believe young professionals play an important role by bringing new ideas, diverse experiences, and the courage to ask questions that others may not think to ask. From my own journey, I've learned that innovation often comes from curiosity and collaboration, and our responsibility is to help shape an industry that is not only technically strong but also inclusive, adaptable, and attractive to future generations.
 

Apart from your professional pursuits, what are some of your hobbies or interests that bring you joy and help you maintain a healthy work-life balance?

Outside of work, I have quite a few hobbies that help me maintain a healthy work-life balance and keep me sane after spending hours looking at data and pipelines!

I enjoy exploring creative activities and seem to have a habit of collecting artistic hobbies. Painting, colouring, crafting—if it involves making a mess before creating something nice, I'm probably interested in it. I also like keeping my brain busy, so puzzles are one of my favourite ways to relax. Some people unwind by doing nothing; I apparently unwind by giving myself more problems to solve.

I love baking as well, and my colleagues have become regular beneficiaries of my experiments in the kitchen. Fortunately, most of them have turned out to be successful, which is probably why they still accept my baked goods.

Travelling is another passion of mine. I enjoy discovering new places, meeting people from different cultures, and experiencing things that are completely outside my comfort zone. It is probably one of the reasons I have lived and worked in several countries throughout my life.

In the past, I was also involved in rock climbing and martial arts, which taught me discipline, resilience, and how to stay calm under pressure. These days, my biggest physical challenge is often carrying my luggage through airports, but I still enjoy staying active whenever I can.

Overall, I simply enjoy trying new things. Whether it's a new country, a new hobby, a new recipe, or a new challenge, curiosity tends to win every time.
 

Finally, how do you see the future of the pipeline industry evolving, and what role do you envision for yourself in shaping that future??

I believe the pipeline industry will continue to play a vital role in our society for many years to come. Whether we are transporting water, wastewater, oil, gas, hydrogen, or CO₂, pipelines remain one of the safest, most efficient, and most sustainable ways to move large volumes of products. Until someone invents a better solution, I think pipelines are here to stay.

At the same time, many pipeline systems around the world are ageing, and in many regions building completely new infrastructure is becoming increasingly difficult. That means the focus will continue to be on maintaining, monitoring, and extending the life of existing assets while ensuring the highest levels of safety and environmental protection.

Technology will certainly play a major role in this future. Artificial intelligence, digitalisation, and advanced inspection technologies will help us make better and faster decisions. However, while AI is an incredibly useful tool, I do not believe it can replace human judgement, experience, curiosity, and critical thinking. At least not yet—and hopefully not before I retire!

As for my own role, I see myself continuing to grow into leadership positions while remaining technically curious. I would like to lead and develop teams, help solve complex challenges, and continue learning every day. If you ask my colleagues, they will probably tell you that my future involves continuing to "bother" people with questions about everything imaginable. I prefer to call it lifelong learning.

Beyond my professional career, I hope to continue supporting and mentoring young professionals through YPI and YPPE, just as others have supported me throughout my journey. Having worked in different countries, industries, and cultures, I have learned how valuable it is to build connections between people and share knowledge across generations.

Ultimately, I would like my contribution to be more than just technical. If I can help keep pipelines safe, support the next generation of professionals, and leave the industry a little stronger than I found it, I would consider that a successful career.