In Memory of Stelios C. Orphanoudakis

Professor Stelios C. Orphanoudakis was Director of the Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH) and Chairman of its Board of Directors. He was Director representing FORTH (and Greece) on the ERCIM Board of Directors since 1992, when FORTH joined ERCIM as the seventh member. He was vice-president of ERCIM from 1994 to 2003, and President from January 2004 until October 2004, when he resigned due to illness.

In a distinguished academic career, he obtained a Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the Thayer School of Engineering, USA, an M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and a B.A. degree, magna cum laude with highest distinction in Engineering Sciences, from Dartmouth College. Since 1986, he held a faculty appointment as Professor of Computer Science at the University of Crete. Furthermore, from 1991 until 1994, he was Acting Director of the Institute of Computer Science of FORTH (ICS-FORTH) and, from 1994 until 2004, he was Director of this Institute. At ICS-FORTH, he was the inspirational scientific leader of the Centre for Medical Informatics and Health Telematics. He held a faculty appointment in the Departments of Diagnostic Radiology and Electrical Engineering at Yale University, USA, from 1975 until 1991.

Prof. Orphanoudakis was a member of many honorary and professional societies and a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). He dedicated many years of teaching and research to the fields of computational vision and robotics, intelligent image management and retrieval by content, medical informatics, and medical imaging. He authored more than 120 publications in international scientific journals, refereed conference proceedings and books. He served on various committees and working groups of the European Commission and was active in numerous European R&D programs. He also served on the Board of Directors of the EuroPACS society (1994 - 2000). During the period 1995-2000, he served on the National Telecommunications and Post Commission of Greece. Finally, from 1994 until 2001, he served on the National Advisory Research Council of Greece and, from 1998 until 2002, he served on the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Foundation for Culture.

Prof. Orphanoudakis was a fervent advocate of multidisciplinary research approaches and of international research cooperation. He deeply believed in the potential of ERCIM to promote and advance scientific research in Europe, and was actively committed towards the achievement of this objective. We all recall his energy and enthusiasm, his vision for the future of ICT - especially in healthcare - and his professionalism. Simultaneously, we recall his warmth and friendliness, his hospitable nature and his memorable personality. He was an excellent ambassador for FORTH, his scientific discipline, his country and ERCIM. He will be much missed by all his colleagues and friends.

The FORTH announcement is available at :
http://www.forth.gr/press-releases/orphanoudakis_press.html

Keith G Jeffery
President