Background

I am a mathematician and geologist with advanced training in Partial Differential Equations (elliptic systems, asymptotic behavior, variational methods), Group Theory, Set Theory and Philosophy of Mathematics, as well as Petrography, Mineral Identification, Petrogenesis of Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks, Ore Deposits and Analytical Methods.

• BSc in Mathematics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece – 2012.
• MSc in Mathematics (Pure Mathematics), National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece – 2015.
• BSc in Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece – 2020.
• MSc in Applied Geosciences (Mineralogy and Geochemistry), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany – 2025.
• PhD in Applied Geosciences (Geochemistry and Economic Geology), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany – ongoing.

Research interests

My research interests span the study of both natural and anthropogenic geochemical systems, in the context of the sustainable supply of raw materials. I focus on the characterization of materials and their formation or transformation, e.g., due to weathering processes, associated with various physical-chemical conditions.  My studies and methodology aim to shed light to the following:

• Understanding the dynamics of ore-forming geotectonic environments via the detailed description of mineral relations (texture), mineral chemistry and bulk geochemistry. Manganese-rich volcanosedimentary formations, volcanic-associated massive sulfide (VMS) deposits with a focus on ultramafic-hosted ophiolite-related varieties, and the orogenic input and metamorphism of VMS ore deposits have been some of the most important topics I have focused on.
• Improving the conditions for the application of selective extraction protocols and related schemes, while also discussing their advantages and disadvantages. These have been applied, and most importantly adapted, to different sets of materials, including contrasting sediments and anthropogenic waste.
• Exploring potential element enrichment in mining waste for further exploitation practices and assessing the related environmental impact.
• The determination of conditions for efficient recycling/upcycling, repurposing and regeneration of lithium-ion battery cathode and anode active materials. This is part of my PhD project, where I focus on the crystallography and crystal chemistry of lithium transition metal oxide and graphite in the context of Li-ion battery direct recycling.

Projects

1. DiRecReg (PhD thesis project). Supervision: Prof. Dr. Jochen Kolb, PD Dr. Elisabeth Eiche
2. WaMiSar. Supervision: PD Dr. Elisabeth Eiche

BSc and MSc Thesis (co-)supervision

1. Gideon Buchwald (May 2026): Structural and textural differences between natural and industrial graphite in the context of Li-ion battery anode recycling (BSc).
2. Ana Glagolic (ongoing, expected in September 2026): Pollution in the Harz Mountains related to mining activity (MSc).

Teaching (KIT)

1. Georesources; Mineral Raw Materials (Hydrothermal ore deposits: Porphyry and skarn Cu-Mo-Au-W-Sn deposits)
2. Geochemical Processes and Analytical Methods; Geochemical Element Cycling (Geochemical Cycle of Uranium)
3. Geochemical Processes and Analytical Methods; Analytical Geochemistry (multiple projects)
4. Environmental Geochemistry; Substance Flow in the Environment (Interactive development of remediation strategies for mine waste - case study exercise)
5. Geochemical and Petrological Modeling (Introduction to Hydrogeochemical Modeling with PHREEQC)

Participation in the Geochemistry and Economic Geology Seminar (AGW, KIT)

1. REE mobility: preliminary results from several selective extractions (12/2023).
2. Mineral chemistry of sulfide minerals as indicators for hydrothermal processes, Outokumpu Mining District, SE Finland (7/2024).
3. Planning for PhD on recycling, regenerating and environmental mineralogy of End-of-Life NMC-, LFP-cathode and graphite anode materials (12/2024).
4. Secondary phases associated with NMC cathode material waste: potential mechanisms related to degradation and environmental implications (7/2025).
5. Metamorphism, metasomatism and alteration in the Outokumpu Cu-Zn-Co-Ni-Ag-Au deposit, Finland: Enriching the story with fluids, halogens, metalloids, PGEs and oxidation (12/2025).
6. Understanding lithium extraction and phase segregation related to layered oxide cathode materials: crystal structure refinement in the Li-Ni-Mn-Co-O-system (1/2026).
7. Observation, solid-state chemistry and topological arguments for a good graphite blend (6/2026).

Publications (prior to joining KIT)

1. C. Stouraiti, C. Zamparas, A. Papoutsa, H. Tsikos, P. Voudouris, S. Lozios, K. Soukis, C. Mavrogonatos (2022), First occurrence of gasparite-(Ce), chernovite-(Y) and retzian-(Ce) in Greece: mineral chemistry and implications for REE enrichment in the Varnavas Mn-oxide ore. XXII International Congress of the Carpathian Balkan Geological Association (CBGA) / Geologica Balcanica.  
2. C. Stouraiti, S. Lozios, K. Soukis, C. Mavrogonatos, H. Tsikos, P. Voudouris, H. Wang, C. Zamparas, K. Kollias (2022), Hydrothermal Manganese mineralization in a Triassic back-arc rift-related volcaniclastic succession of the Cycladic Blueschist Unit, Greece. EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts, EGU22-7989.
3. C. Stouraiti, S. Lozios, K. Soukis, C. Mavrogonatos, H. Tsikos, P. Voudouris, H. Wang, C. Zamparas, K. Kollias (2022),  Manganese metallogenesis in the Hellenic arc: Case studies from a Triassic rift-related volcaniclastic succession of the Cycladic Blueschist Unit, Greece. Ore Geology Reviews 142, 104694.
4. C. Zamparas, C. Stouraiti, D. Palles, K. Kollias (2019), Mineralogy and geochemistry of the Fe-Mn crusts and nodules in piemontite-schists of the Cycladic Blueschist Unit rocks of Varnavas area, NE Attica, Greece. International Earth Science Colloquium on the Aegean Region (IESCA) 2019, Izmir, Turkey.

Volunteering

• EPICUR Alliance: Early Career Research Board (2025-), representative in the Managing and Executive Boards.
• Geo4Göttingen 2025; co-chaired the session 04.05 Applied and Technical Mineralogy: promoting sustainable solutions through deeper understanding of materials and material processing with PD Dr. Elisabeth Eiche.