Agni Vlavianos Arvanitis (9 March 1936 – 7 April 2018) was a professor and researcher in

biology Biology is the scientific study of life. It is a natural science with a broad scope but has several unifying themes that tie it together as a single, coherent field. For instance, all organisms are made up of cells that process hereditary i ...

. Her main contribution lies in the field of

biopolitics Biopolitics refers to the political relations between the administration or regulation of the life of species and a locality's populations, where politics and law evaluate life based on perceived constants and traits. French philosopher Michel F ...

, and the theory of bios. She graduated from

Barnard College Barnard College of Columbia University is a private women's liberal arts college in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. It was founded in 1889 by a group of women led by young student activist Annie Nathan Meyer, who petitioned Columbia ...

in 1957 (B.A.),

New York University New York University (NYU) is a private research university in New York City. Chartered in 1831 by the New York State Legislature, NYU was founded by a group of New Yorkers led by then- Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin. In 1832, th ...

(M.S.) and the

University of Athens The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA; el, Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών, ''Ethnikó ke Kapodistriakó Panepistímio Athinón''), usually referred to simply as the Univers ...

(Ph.D.). She worked as a researcher at the Museum of Natural History in New York, the

University of California at Berkeley The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley, Berkeley, Cal, or California) is a public land-grant research university in Berkeley, California. Established in 1868 as the University of California, it is the state's first land-grant uni ...

, and the

University of Paris , image_name = Coat of arms of the University of Paris.svg , image_size = 150px , caption = Coat of Arms , latin_name = Universitas magistrorum et scholarium Parisiensis , motto = ''Hic et ubique terrarum'' (Latin) , mottoeng = Here and a ...

. She has also taught Biology, Biochemistry and Human Genetics at the

Friends Seminary Friends Seminary is an independent K-12 school in Manhattan within the landmarked district in the East Village. The oldest continuously coeducational school in New York City, Friends Seminary serves 794 students in Kindergarten through Grade 1 ...

in New York, the American Community Schools Academy in Athens, and the

University of Maryland The University of Maryland, College Park (University of Maryland, UMD, or simply Maryland) is a public land-grant research university in College Park, Maryland. Founded in 1856, UMD is the flagship institution of the University System of M ...

.John L. Pellam Bibliotheque: Worldwide International Publishers (2011) "The Preeminent 500: 500 Exceptional Individuals of Achievement in Commerce Science & Technology, Medicine and the Arts & Letters" pg.53, John L. Pellam Bibliotheque: Worldwide International Publishers "Encyclopedia Intelligentsia A Compendium of Great Thinkers and Bright Minds of the 21st Century", pg.43, Global Marshall Plan Foundation "Towards a World in Balance: A Virtual Congress for a Better Balanced World", pg.169,

The biopolitics theory

Her theory of biopolitics sees biopolitics as a conceptual and operative framework for societal development, promoting bios (Greek = life) as the central theme in every human endeavor, be it policy, education, art, government, science or technology. This concept uses bios as a term referring to all forms of life on our planet, including their genetic and geographic variation.UNESCO Eolss Publishers Co. Ltd, (2001) OUR FRAGILE WORLD Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Development Vol.1, Pg.1027.

Achievements

In 1985, Agni Vlavianos Arvanitis founded the Biopolitics International Organisation (B.I.O.) with the goal of promoting respect for the gift of bios (life) and international cooperation for the protection of the environment. B.I.O created an international network of associates in over 160 countries around the world, with scholars and decision-makers supporting its goals and projects.

Recognition

Agni Vlavianos Arvanitis was the recipient of a number of international distinctions including election as Honorary President for Life of the

United Nations Association A United Nations Association (UNA) is a non-governmental organization that exist in various countries to enhance the relationship between the people of member states and the United Nations to raise public awareness of the UN and its work, to promot ...

in Sri Lanka; election as an International Patron of the Global Cooperation for a Better World; the commemorative Gold Medal of Honor for outstanding achievements and dedication to personal and professional goals, as well as election as 1994 Woman of the year by ABI. Notably she has been appointed

Doctor Honoris Causa An honorary degree is an academic degree for which a university (or other degree-awarding institution) has waived all of the usual requirements. It is also known by the Latin phrases ''honoris causa'' ("for the sake of the honour") or ''ad ho ...

of Mendeleyev University in Moscow, and Honorary professor of St. Petersburg State Technological University of Plant Polymers.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Arvanitis, Agni Vlavianos 1936 births 2018 deaths Biopolitics American women biologists Barnard College alumni New York University alumni National and Kapodistrian University of Athens alumni 21st-century American women scientists