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- Last modified on Friday, 30 January 2026 13:12
Prof Philippe Ciais Named World’s No.1 Environmental Scientist
The Cyprus Institute (CyI) proudly announces that Professor Philippe Ciais, faculty member at CyI’s Climate and Atmosphere Research Center (CARE-C), has been ranked Number 1 Environmental Scientist worldwide by Research.com in its latest global ranking of leading researchers.
This top global distinction recognises Prof. Ciais’ exceptional scientific contributions to climate and environmental research, spanning global and planetary change, atmospheric science, ecology, environmental engineering, and nature and landscape conservation. His work has been instrumental in advancing the scientific understanding of Earth’s environmental systems and their response to human and natural pressures.
Professor Ciais is also an Advanced Partner Principal Investigator of the EMME-CARE project, serving as a senior scientist at CEA (Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives). Through this role, he plays a key part in strengthening CyI’s international research collaborations and advancing cutting-edge climate research for the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East region.
The Research.com rankings are based on rigorous bibliometric indicators, including publication volume, citation impact, and overall scientific influence within the environmental sciences community. Achieving the top position globallyunderscores Prof. Ciais’ long-standing leadership in the field and the international relevance of his research.
This recognition further highlights The Cyprus Institute’s role as a hub for globally impactful climate and atmospheric research, reinforcing its commitment to research excellence, international partnerships, and science that informs policy and societal responses to climate change.
The Cyprus Institute, CARE-C, and the EMME-CARE Consortium extend their warmest congratulations to Professor Philippe Ciais on this outstanding achievement.- Last modified on Thursday, 29 January 2026 09:21
Climate Change Threatens Global Cattle Farming, New Cyprus Institute Study Finds
Climate change is rapidly increasing thermal stress in livestock, posing a serious and growing threat to global cattle farming, according to a new study led by researchers at The Cyprus Institute (CyI), with contributions from the Cyprus Agricultural Research Institute. The findings show that without substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the impacts on cattle productivity and survival could become evident as early as 2050 and intensify dramatically by the end of the century.
Thermal stress occurs when rising temperatures combined with high humidity exceed animals’ physiological tolerance thresholds. In cattle, such conditions can lead to weight loss, fertility problems, and significant reductions in both the quantity and quality of milk production. In extreme cases, prolonged exposure to severe heat stress can be fatal. Because cattle tolerance thresholds are comparable to, or higher than, those of other livestock, the study suggests that goats, sheep, pigs, and poultry may face similar or even greater risks under future climate conditions.
The study, published in the scientific journal PLOS Climate, uses advanced machine-learning techniques to more accurately estimate future exposure of cattle to thermal stress under different greenhouse gas emission scenarios. By integrating projections of temperature and humidity, the researchers provide a clearer and more detailed picture of how climate change is expected to affect livestock systems worldwide.
Results indicate that periods of severe thermal stress, which were extremely rare prior to 2020, are projected to become increasingly common in the coming decades. Under high-emission scenarios, such events could increase up to twelve-fold by the end of the century, placing unprecedented pressure on livestock farming and dairy production systems.
“Our results indicate that these trends could have serious consequences for livestock farming, dairy production, and broader food production systems globally, with direct implications for food security and agricultural economies,” said Dr. Marco Neira, Associate Research Scientist at CyI’s Climate and Atmosphere Research Center and lead author of the study. “The research highlights that both reducing emissions and adapting livestock systems to climate change are now global priorities.”
The findings are particularly relevant for Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean, where heatwaves are already becoming more frequent, longer, and more intense. While short-term adaptation measures such as improved shading, ventilation, and cooling systems can help reduce immediate risks, the researchers stress the importance of long-term, strategic solutions.
Among the most promising approaches are genetic improvement programmes aimed at breeding heat-tolerant animals. Such programmes are considered cost-effective and scalable, and could play a critical role in strengthening the resilience of the farming sector while supporting the continued production of high-value products, including halloumi cheese, which is closely linked to Cyprus’ agricultural identity.
This research reinforces The Cyprus Institute’s role as a leading international centre for climate science and impact-driven research, providing evidence-based insights that support sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, and food security in Cyprus and beyond.
Citation: Neira M, Georgiades P, Proestos Y, Economou T, Araya J, Malas S, et al. (2026) Climate change and thermal stress in cattle: Global projections with high temporal resolution. PLOS Clim 5(1): e0000761. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000761
- Last modified on Tuesday, 27 January 2026 08:47
The Cyprus Institute on Academic Diplomacy Mission in Lebanon
A delegation from The Cyprus Institute (CyI) visited Lebanon to explore avenues for strengthening bilateral collaboration with Lebanese universities. The delegation was received by the President of the Republic of Lebanon, Joseph Khalil Aoun, in the presence of Dr. Elias L. Warrak, President of the University of Balamand (UoB) and of the Universities Association of Lebanon (UAOLB).
During the meeting, Professor Stavros Malas outlined CyI’s strategic plans to expand collaborative initiatives with Lebanese universities, emphasizing that, despite the country’s many challenges, Lebanon hosts high-quality academic institutions capable of competing successfully for research funding under European Commission programmes. In this context, he proposed that Lebanon explore the possibility of becoming an Associated Member of the next EU Research Framework Programme. He also presented the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East Climate Change Initiative (EMME-CCI), highlighting the importance of close cooperation with the Center for Climate Diplomacy and Sustainable Peace (CDSP) at UoB to coordinate regional research efforts. The CyI delegation expressed its deep appreciation to President Aoun for his warm welcome, the frank and constructive exchange of views, and his commitment to exploring Lebanon’s potential association with the forthcoming EU Framework Programme, reaffirming CyI’s readiness to provide full support, particularly during Cyprus’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Building on these high-level discussions, the visit included a series of engagements with leading Lebanese universities. At Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ), the CyI delegation renewed its long-standing and productive collaboration, particularly in atmospheric research and air quality, led by Professors Jean Sciare and Charbel Afif, through the signing of a renewed Memorandum of Understanding. The Renewed MoU was signed by the President of the CyI, Prof Stavros Malas and USJ’s Rector, Prof François Boëdec, S.J.
At the University of Balamand, following the recently signed MoU, discussions focused on current and future areas of collaboration, with particular emphasis on cooperation with CDSP, led by Fadi Comair, which is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing joint initiatives within the EMME-CCI framework. The delegation also visited the University’s Koura campus, meeting laboratory directors and receiving briefings on research infrastructure and ongoing scientific activities.
In addition, CyI signed a new MoU with the Lebanese American University (LAU), signed by Professor Stavros Malas and LAU President, Dr. Chaoukki Abdallah, further strengthening ties established during a previous LAU visit to CyI and paving the way for expanded academic and research collaboration in the period ahead.
Finally, the delegation met the rector and senior academics from the American University of Beirut, and discussed ways of collaboration of areas of mutual strength.
View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://www.cyi.ac.cy/index.php/starc/about-the-center/starc-our-people/itemlist#sigProGalleria7aee2d0057
https://www.cyi.ac.cy/index.php/starc/about-the-center/starc-our-people/itemlist#sigProGalleria7aee2d0057
- Last modified on Thursday, 22 January 2026 10:53
The Cyprus Institute and SignalGeneriX Sign MoU to Boost Strategic Research and Innovation
Το Ινστιτούτο Κύπρου & η SignalGeneriX συνεργάζονται για στρατηγική Έρευνα & Ανάπτυξη!
Το Ινστιτούτο Κύπρου (ΙΚυ) και η SignalGeneriX υπέγραψαν Μνημόνιο Συνεργασίας (MoU), με στόχο τη διαμόρφωση ενός στρατηγικού πλαισίου συνεργασίας στους τομείς της έρευνας, της καινοτομίας και της τεχνολογικής ανάπτυξης. Το Μνημόνιο θέτει τις βάσεις για την υλοποίηση κοινών δράσεων Έρευνας και Ανάπτυξης (R&D), καθώς και για τη συμμετοχή σε κοινές προτάσεις στο πλαίσιο ευρωπαϊκών και εθνικών χρηματοδοτικών προγραμμάτων, με έμφαση στην υπολογιστική αιχμής με αξιοποίηση Τεχνητής Νοημοσύνης (AI-enabled edge computing), την προηγμένη επεξεργασία σήματος, τα μη επανδρωμένα συστήματα και τις τεχνολογίες διττής χρήσης.
Αξιοποιώντας τη διεθνώς αναγνωρισμένη επιστημονική αριστεία και τις προηγμένες ερευνητικές υποδομές του ΙΚυ, σε συνδυασμό με την τεχνογνωσία της SignalGeneriX στην εφαρμοσμένη καινοτομία και την ανάπτυξη τεχνολογικών προϊόντων, η συνεργασία αποσκοπεί στην επιτάχυνση της μετατροπής της ερευνητικής γνώσης σε ώριμες και αξιοποιήσιμες λύσεις με ουσιαστικό εμπορικό και κοινωνικό αντίκτυπο.
Το Μνημόνιο Συνεργασίας προβλέπει, μεταξύ άλλων, την ανταλλαγή τεχνογνωσίας και βέλτιστων πρακτικών, τη συνδιοργάνωση επιστημονικών και τεχνολογικών εκδηλώσεων, καθώς και την ανάπτυξη συνεργειών στους τομείς των μη επανδρωμένων εναέριων οχημάτων (UAVs) και συναφών προηγμένων τεχνολογιών. Μέσα από αυτή τη στρατηγική σύμπραξη, το ΙΚυ ενισχύει περαιτέρω τη διασύνδεσή του με μια από τις μεγαλύτερες μικρομεσαίες επιχειρήσεις της Κύπρου, συμβάλλοντας έτσι στην ενδυνάμωση του εθνικού οικοσυστήματος έρευνας και καινοτομίας, ενώ η SignalGeneriX αποκτά πρόσβαση σε τεχνογνωσία αιχμής και ερευνητικές υποδομές, επιταχύνοντας τη μακροπρόθεσμη τεχνολογική και επιχειρησιακή της ανάπτυξη.
The Cyprus Institute and SignalGeneriX Sign MoU to Boost Strategic Research and Innovation
The Cyprus Institute (CyI) and SignalGeneriX have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a strategic framework for collaboration in research, innovation, and technology development. This partnership will support joint R&D activities and collaborative projects under European and national funding programmes, with a focus on AI-enabled edge computing, advanced signal processing, unmanned systems, and dual-use technologies.
By combining CyI’s world-class scientific expertise and research infrastructures with SignalGeneriX’s applied innovation and product development capabilities, the collaboration aims to accelerate the translation of research into deployable solutions with meaningful commercial and societal impact.
The MoU also foresees the exchange of knowledge and best practices, co-organisation of scientific and innovation-focused events, and collaboration in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and related advanced technology fields. Through this partnership, CyI strengthens its engagement with one of Cyprus’s leading SMEs, enhancing the national research and innovation ecosystem, while SignalGeneriX gains access to cutting-edge expertise and infrastructures to accelerate its technology development.
