Dr N. Ziakas trained as an ophthalmology resident in the UK. After successfully passing the specialist examinations and the first EBO examinations in 1995, he continued his training in the UK, completing fellowships in cornea and refractive surgery, strabismus and paediatric ophthalmology, paediatric glaucoma, and inherited eye disease. He worked closely with world renowned mentors, including Prof. Tony Moore and Sir Peng Khaw. He also completed a short fellowship in lamellar corneal surgery with Gerrit Melles.

He served as President of EPOS from 2013 to 2017 and as Chair of the FEBO-SP Examination Committee from 2023 to 2025. He was also President of HAPOS and has hosted numerous national and international meetings.

Since 2014, he has been Professor of Ophthalmology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, and, since 2018, Head of the 2nd University Department of Ophthalmology.

He has delivered numerous invited lectures and presentations at international meetings and has published more than 157 peer-reviewed articles.