Dr. Bamias obtained his MD degree with "Honors" from the University of Athens in 1989, specialized in Gastroenterology, and was granted his Ph.D. from the same institution in 2000. During 2000-2005 he joined the Faculty at the Digestive Health Center of Excellence at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA in the USA, where, in 2004, his was appointed Assistant Professor.  Since 2006 he has been working at the 1st Dpt of Internal Medicine and since 2012 at the Academic Dpt. of Gastroenterology at the Medical School of Athens University at Laikon Hospital. In the last 17 years Dr. Bamias has focused his clinical work in the care of patients with IBD and his research in the understanding of the pathogenesis of intestinal inflammation.  He has organized and still runs the IBD Dpt. at Laikon Hospital, Athens.  His research interest is focused on the role of cytokines in the pathogensis of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.  He has worked extensively with animal models of intestinal inflammation and also reported for the first time the potential implication of the cytokine system of TNF/TNFR-like molecules TL1A/DR3/DcR3 both in experimental ileitis and in clinical inflammation.  His work is reflected on several publications in high-impact Journals.  Dr. Bamias has been a member of several National and International societies, including administrative positions and also is actively involved in Editorial and Reviewing work for several Journals. He has been awarded with Interantional Awards and has been granted personal funding. In parallel, he is actively participating in training and mendoring Young Gastroenterologists.   Currently he is a candidate for an Associate Professorship in Gastroenterology at the University of Athens.