Postdoctoral Researcher · AI & Robotics

Katerina
Maria
Oikonomou

Spiking Neural Networks Computer Vision Robotics Multimodal Learning

I build bio-inspired AI systems that perceive and act in the physical world — bridging spiking neural networks, computer vision, and robotics to create efficient, intelligent machines.

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Dr. Katerina Maria Oikonomou
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About

I am a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH), Department of Production and Management Engineering, and a research associate at NCSR "Demokritos", Institute of Informatics and Telecommunications, Athens.

My research sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, computational neuroscience, and robotics. I am particularly interested in how biological principles of neural computation, such as spike-based communication, can lead to more efficient and adaptive AI systems.

I completed my PhD at DUTH (2021–2025) under Prof. Antonios Gasteratos, on Spiking Neural Networks for Perception and Control in Human Assistive Robotic Systems. Before that, I studied Physics at the University of Patras and completed an MSc in Automation Systems at NTUA.

k.m.oikonomou@gmail.com

Spiking Neural Networks for reinforcement learning & control
Multimodal perception & sensor fusion (event cameras, RGB)
Action recognition for ambient assisted living
Bio-inspired feature discrimination & modality fusion
AI for scientific & industrial applications (plasma, mining)
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Publications

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Under Review
S01
UAV Object Detection and Positioning in a Mining Industrial Metaverse with Custom Geo-Referenced Data
IET Cyber-Physical Systems: Theory & Applications
Under Review
S02
Reinforcement Learning with Spiking Neural Networks: A Survey
IEEE Transactions on Artificial Intelligence
Under Review

Publication list auto-fetched from OpenAlex · updated on page load.

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Teaching

Academic Year 2025 – 2026
Spring
Computer Vision & Graph Theory
Department of Computer & Informatics Engineering · University of Western Attica (ΠΑΔΑ)
ESPA Academic Experience Fellowship
Fall
Programming Languages (C) — Lab sessions
Department of Informatics & Telematics · Harokopio University of Athens
During PhD (co-taught) · 2021 – 2023
Fall '22
Control Systems
Democritus University of Thrace
Spring '22
Robotics
Democritus University of Thrace
Fall '21
Control Systems & Mechatronics
Democritus University of Thrace
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Research Projects

Pharos
The Greek AI Factory — deploying specialised AI services across key sectors.
Jan 2026 – present · NCSR Demokritos
Plasma-AI
AI-based modeling and optimisation of plasma etching processes for semiconductor fabrication.
Nov 2025 – present · NCSR Demokritos
THESEUS
Circularity hub for Attica & peripheral regions — autonomous platforms (AGVs, UAVs) for material flow optimisation.
Jul 2025 – present · DUTH
DeployAI
Development and deployment of the European AI on-demand platform — system architecture and implementation.
Nov – Dec 2025 · NCSR Demokritos
MASTERMINE
Semantic mapping for UAVs in mining environments; data-relay network via aerial robotic systems.
Dec 2023 – Jun 2025 · DUTH
ASPiDA
Holistic assistive robotics system for elderly quality of life — robot platform, fall detection, decision-making.
Jun 2021 – Sep 2023 · DUTH
ExtremeEarth
Copernicus big-data analytics for food security use cases — WP3/4 participation.
Jan – Jul 2021 · NCSR Demokritos
iRTA
Intelligent robotic high-precision treatment application in rough-terrain vineyards.
Jul – Dec 2020 · NCSR Demokritos
Precision Medicine Network
Biomedical data management and processing system (Siemens electrotechnical project).
Jun – Sep 2019 · NCSR Demokritos