“How is all this beauty hidden in the guys!” With these words, the Dimitris DalabekosAssistant Professor of the Department of Mathematics of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, describes in RES-EIA the charm of fractal: of the complex, non -smooth geometric shapes, which meet in abundance in natureas in coastlines, mountain landscapes, river networks and plant and crystal development patterns. It is striking in the fractals that each of their smaller part has the same geometric characteristics as the whole, testifying to the mathematical harmony that governs natural phenomena.

Dimitris Dalambekou’s involvement with these particular geometric shapes provided a leading European distinction: funding from the competitive program “ERC Starting Grants 2025” of the European Research Council (ERC). Mr. Dalabekos is the only scientist to represent Greek universities in this notice, with the project “GRCOMPAS – Geometry and Rigidity in the Complex Plane and in Surfaces“, Which aims to develop innovative methods for the study of fractals.

Completion of funding, of approximately € 1.3 million for five years, enables the establishment of a research team in Thessaloniki and guiding new scientific directions, enhancing the international position of the Greek scientific community in mathematics.

Dimitris Dalabekos emphasizes the importance of innovation in this venture: “The next goal is to create a team in Thessaloniki, with scientists from Greece and abroad, so that there is a Fractal Study Center in the city.”notes in RES-EIA. His proposal was distinguished among 3,928 submissions from all over Europe, of which only 12% secured funding. Through the program, about 3,000 new jobs are expected to be created in research teams internationally.

The beauty of the fractals and the challenges of mathematical research

For the 34 -year -old professor, the distinction between thousands of proposals was a surprise. As he says: “My surprise was great. I feel like I have a blessing, because I believe that our successes come from God and can help us and other people, make their dreams come true. “. At the same time, it highlights the reduction of students’ interest in mathematics and sciences and encourages the younger generation to follow its passion, even if the prospects seem to be a given: “The program proves that even in these sciences there are opportunities for funding and recognizing excellence”.

To the question of the most beautiful fractal he has encountered, he replies that he is impressed by the shapes of the Julia Set, which were first held by the French mathematician Gaston Julia at the beginning of the 20th century. Fractals often appear in the complex dynamic systems – even theoretically simpler of them have not been fully clarified. A typical example is the systems that define the weather or the operation of the stock markets, which have so many parameters that no theory can all include, limiting our performance in predicting phenomena.

The utility of fractals in mapping and analysis of nature

Fractals find important applications in the map mapping, but also elsewhere. A key question of the GRCOMPAS project concerns when and how a fractal can be transformed, such as a plastic material, in a smoother and understandable shape. This problem has practical applications in mapping of 3D, non -smooth surfaces – from mountainous landscapes and human faces to the surface of the human brain. Although mathematical theory of smooth surfaces is fully developed, understanding of non -smooth objects remains incomplete. The development of new mathematical tools to tackle these complex structures is a cutting -edge challenge and is at the heart of the research project.

Academic route and return to Greece

Dimitris Dalabekos was the first graduate of the AUTH Mathematics Department in 2013 with a grade of 9.98, and completed his doctorate at the University of California, Los Angeles, in 2018. There he began his study of Fractals, under the guidance of his supervisor. A postdoctoral research was followed and then election as an assistant professor at Stony Brook University in New York.

In 2024, he returned as an Assistant Professor at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. For the reasons for his return he states: “I have always had the desire to return to Greece, both for family reasons and for the different lifestyle than an American big city. In addition, I wanted to offer to the Greek University ». It expresses joy that he sees young scientists returning to Greece, giving examples and models for the younger generation. “In America I had students without good performance, but with great desire to succeed. In Greece I believe we need such examples and powerful standards »he points out.

In his research work, Dimitris Dalabekos focuses on Complex analysis and at Analysis in metric spaces. It has been funded by the US National Research Foundation and has been honored by the Athens Academy for its contribution to mathematical analysis.

Alexandra Suta

*The photo was given by the AUTH