Dr Topakas has a degree in Chemistry (distinguished; Aristotle University, Department of Chemistry, Thessaloniki, Greece) and he took his PhD in Industrial Biotechnology in 2004 at National Technical University of Athens (NTUA, Greece). He has worked as a Research Associate in the Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, University of Newcastle upon Tyne and in the Biotechnology Laboratory at NTUA. In 2010, he visited Chalmers University as Visiting Assistant Professor. On January 2012, he worked as a Lecturer, while on November 2014 he continued as an Assistant Professor. Since July 2019, he appointed as an Associate Professor in the field of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Chemical Engineering, Department of Synthesis and Development of Industrial Processes, NTUA. On March 2015 till today, Dr Topakas has also been appointed as a visiting Associate Professor in the Chemical Engineering Division of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Lulea University of Technology, Sweden, expanding his collaboration and experience in North Europe. His research experience includes the discovery of industrial enzymes for the utilization of residual biomass for the production of 2^nd generation liquid biofuels and high-added value compounds in the field of Biorefineries. For the production of energy, chemicals and materials utilizing waste biomass, on behalf of the Industrial Biotechnology concept, conventional and modern omics technologies were employed (Genomics, Transciptomics, Proteomics) in combination with Genetic and Protein Engineering tools to investigate and modify biocatalytic systems of bacteria and fungi. The heterologous overexpression of target enzymes with industrial potential in microbial hosts, such as Pichia pastoris and Escherichia coli, allows their Biotechnological evaluation, as well as their study of the structure/function relationship and regulatory mechanisms of saprophytic terrestrial and marine microorganisms. Recently, the knowledge obtained in plant cell wall degrading enzymes is used for the conversion and upcycling of synthetic polymers to fight plastic pollution. His research activities cross the borders of different synergistic disciplines requiring the active participation of engineers, biochemists, molecular biologists and physicists. Dr Topakas is better prepared to overcome challenges with the orchestration of the activities of researchers from different disciplines in order to achieve a common goal. His experience in academia, handling students and supervising very ambitious researchers at the BSc, MSc & PhD level, molded his philosophy that believes in a custom-made policy to suit the specific interest of each researcher.

Dr Topakas has co-authored and participated in more than 35 National and European Research Programs, while his research activity is documented in numerous peer-reviewed publications in International Scientific Journals and Book chapters in the field of Industrial Biotechnology and Biocatalysis (see Publications page for more details).

There are more than 80 researchers that appear as co-authors in his publication list, which displays Dr Topakas ability to interact successfully with diverse personalities and educational backgrounds. He is Editor-in-Chief in the section of Biocatalysis, Catalyst Journal of MDPI, Associate Editor in Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts journal, as well as in Frontiers in Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Section of Industrial Biotechnology and Frontiers in Microbiology, Section of Systems Microbiology.

Since January 2012, Dr Topakas have supervised 12 PhD students; 6 theses have been completed (Anastasia Zerva, Constantinos Katsimpouras, Maria Kanelli, Efstratios Nikolaivits, Angelina Chalima and  Georgia Asimakopoulou), while 6 are being in progress (Gregory Dedes, Romanos Siaperas, Koar Chorozian, George Taxeidis, Christina Pentari, Konstantinos Makryniotis). In addition, he has supervised  more than 50 graduate students for their diploma thesis, which is equivalent to MSc degree in Engineering in the School of Chemical Engineering of NTUA. Dr Topakas is leading the Industrial Biotechnology and Biocatalysis group, a leading research group that inspire young Chemical Engineers and Biologists in the field of Bioeconomy.