Interview with Dr. Spiros Paramithiotis—Section Board Member of Fermentation

We are delighted to share some key insights from our recent interview with Dr. Spiros Paramithiotis, an Editorial Board Member of Fermentation (ISSN: 2311-5637). He introduced the main research directions of his team, shared his perspective on future research trends in the field, and recounted his experiences as an Editorial Board Member for the journal Fermentation. He also conveyed his well-wishes for the journal's development.

The following is a short interview with Dr. Spiros Paramithiotis:

1. What developments in your field of expertise excite you currently?
The developments in precision fermentation are currently the most exciting ones. By combining the appropriate raw materials with microorganisms capable of carrying out specific bioconversions, the production of specific metabolites is enabled. These may be useful over a wide range of applications that extend from chemical to food and biomedical ones. The applications related to precision nutrition are currently the ones that have the capacity to create a breakthrough, since the targeted supplementation with specific nutraceuticals and their inclusion in our diet may address significant issues that affect our health and well-being.

2. Could you discuss individuals or experiences that have significantly influenced your research career?
A researcher should connect, discuss, and, when possible, collaborate with other researchers, not necessarily within a given field of expertise. This interaction shapes the character of a researcher by providing role models, the examples of which can be followed, and by highlighting behaviors that should be avoided. As a young researcher, I was blessed to interact with scientists following scientific and ethical principles, which acted as role models and helped me clarify the role of a researcher and educator in university life and society in general. At the same time, I was also very lucky to interact with researchers who exposed what needs to be avoided at all costs. These experiences built strong scientific and ethical foundations and paved my way.

3. The journal Fermentation is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025. What is your vision for its development?
The journal Fermentation has become one of the cornerstones of publishing in the field of fermentation. Publishing, in general, has gone through many stages, each with specific advantages and limitations. The introduction of Fermentation was embraced by the research community with relief, as it provided a platform through which researchers in this field could quickly and reliably make their results and their opinions known to the scientific community. It is reasonable to expect that Fermentation will soon find its place among the leaders within the field of biotechnology and applied microbiology.

4. What do you think about the development of open access in the publishing field?
Research publications should be open and publicly available. Science advancement is hindered when publications are not available for some reason. However, this open access is accompanied by a cost that needs to be minimized, since not every researcher has the necessary funds to cover it. Fermentation offers this opportunity through partial or complete waivers. Despite this, the current situation, in general, indicates that open access publishing is not yet truly available. Maybe the time has come for institutional repositories to take action.

5. As the Editorial Board Member, what do you find to be the most important factor for the success of the journal?
The reputation of a journal is its most important asset. A good reputation cannot be built overnight; it needs planning, time, continuous effort by the executive editors, and close collaboration with the Editorial Board Members. Fermentation has the ambition to become established among the leaders within the field of biotechnology and applied microbiology and support it with an exceptional team of executive editors and close collaboration with the Editorial Board Members, who very often act as advisors on issues that affect research and publishing. With time, it is certain that the ambition of the journal will be successfully achieved.