Panayiotis Varotsos (Greek: Παναγιώτης Βαρώτσος) is a Greek physicist (b. 1947), full professor in the Department of Physics of the University of Athens since 1986, notable for his VAN method to predict earthquakes. His group claims the ability to identify electromagnetic signals that are precursors to earthquakes. They suggest the precursors are generated by electricity from piezo-stimulated effects in rocks being stressed just prior to the earthquake rupture. Onassis Foundation Laureate for the Environment (1995). Also awarded by the Academy of Athens (1978) and Empeirikion Foundation (1986).