Dr Stathis Avramidis, 35, came to Leeds Met in 1998 as an Erasmus Socrates student, and continued with an MSc in Sport & Exercise Science. Today he graduates with a PhD thesis on drowning/aquatics from Carnegie Faculty of Sport & Education.

Whilst studying at Leeds Met, Stathis popularized aquatics in over 15 countries as an athlete, academic, author and researcher, media professional, top model, head lifeguard, first aider and invited guest speaker in congresses. He has done 80 rescue interventions, earned over 130 certifications on lifesaving from 13 countries, trained over 8,000 people on water safety, affiliated with 10 organizations and been awarded 30 times for his contribution to water safety from seven different countries. 

Apart from lecturing at Leeds Met on aquatic modules, this academic year Stathis published one of the most comprehensive books in the world, the Handbook on Safety and Lifesaving, and completed his PhD on drowning. He was also the 'Paragon Water Safety Award 2009' recipient from the International Swimming Hall of Fame for his 'contributions to water safety and life guarding worldwide' and was awarded for second time with the Diploma, the highest award of the Royal Life Saving Society Commonwealth.