When greeting the audience at the start of a thesis defense talk or presentation, it is important to strike a balance between formality and approachability. Here is a suggested approach based on the search results:

1. Begin with a warm welcome: Start by welcoming the audience to the thesis defense. You can say something like, "Welcome to the thesis defense on [the title of your thesis]" [1].

2. Introduce yourself: After the initial welcome, introduce yourself by stating your name. You can also provide a brief description of your background and occupation. This will help the audience get to know you better. For example, "My name is [your name], and I have been working on this research as part of my [degree program] at [university/institution]" [1].

3. Express gratitude: Show appreciation to the audience for attending your defense. You can say something like, "Thank you all for being here today and taking the time to attend my thesis defense" [1].

4. Acknowledge the committee: If there is an examination committee present, it is important to acknowledge them. You can address them as "Respected members of the examination committee" [3]. If you know their names, you can mention them individually, such as "Respected members of the examination committee, Prof. X, Prof. Y, and Prof. Z" [3].

5. Include colleagues and friends: Acknowledge your colleagues and friends who are present in the audience. You can refer to them as "colleagues and friends" [2]. This will help create a friendly and supportive atmosphere.

6. Optional: Address other professors and lecturers: If you expect other professors and lecturers to be in the audience, you can include a category specifically for them. For example, you can say, "I would also like to extend a warm welcome to the professors and lecturers who have joined us today" [3]. This acknowledges their presence and shows respect.

Remember to maintain a confident and professional demeanor throughout your greeting. Take a moment to make eye contact with the audience, smile, and use their positive energy to boost your own confidence [2].

Learn more:

1. How to Start a Thesis Defense Presentation - Slidesgo
2. How to greet the audience at the beginning of a PhD defense talk/presentation? | Wyzant Ask An Expert
3. etiquette - How to greet the audience at the beginning of a PhD defense talk/presentation? - Academia Stack Exchange