Nikolaos G. Papaioannou currently serves as the Deputy Minister for Higher Education at the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports. A distinguished academic, he is the former Rector of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He holds a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and has held the position of Professor and Director of the Laboratory of Pathology. Professor Papaioannou served as Rector from 2019 to 2024 and has actively contributed to national academic institutions, including the Hellenic National Academic Recognition and Information Center (DOATAP) and the Hellenic Accreditation System (ESYD). His research expertise encompasses neurodegenerative diseases and oncology pathology. He has successfully coordinated numerous national and international research projects and supervised a significant number of postgraduate theses. In 2023, he stood as a candidate for New Democracy in the national elections and subsequently served as Secretary General for Higher Education. He was appointed Deputy Minister in 2025. He is married and he has a son and a daughter.