PROGRAMME
Plenary Speakers
Isabel Ferreira, former Secretary of State for the Enhancement of the Interior and Regional Development of the XXII and XXIII Constitutional Governments. Currently, she is a Member of the Assembly of the Portuguese Republic and Vice-President of the PS parliamentary group.
She is a Principal Coordinating Professor of the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, of which she was Vice-President, Director of the Mountain Research Center and Mentor of the MORE and AQUAValor Collaborative Laboratories. She coordinated the Scientific Council of Natural and Environmental Sciences of the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, was a member of the Advisory Board of the Science Foundation – Flanders (FWO), and a member of the Committee of Experts monitoring the European Framework Programmes H2020 and Horizon Europe.
She is one of the most cited researchers in the world (top 1%), having been distinguished in the last 9 years in the Essential Science Indicators index, one of the most prestigious indicators of research quality. Her work includes the publication of 4 international books, 60 book chapters, more than 900 scientific articles and several national and European patents, most of them resulting from technology transfer to industry, some of them being the basis for the creation of spin-offs. She received several distinctions such as the Gulbenkian Prize for Stimulating Scientific Research; the recognition for the dissemination of Portuguese science in the world, and mentioned by Ciência Viva – National Agency for Scientific and Technological Culture, in the book Women in Science; In 2019 she received the European Social Innovation Award from the European Commission; in 2022 she was distinguished by Superbrands as a personality of excellence in the area of Science.
Lan van Wassenaer is Chief Data Economist and Strategic Senior Scientist at Wageningen Social & Economic Research. She holds a PhD in Business Economics and MSc in Agricultural Economics from Wageningen University. Her research focuses on the socio-economic analysis and modelling of current and emerging issues in agri-food systems, with particular emphasis on the economics of innovation and information, risk and uncertainty, transparency, data-driven governance, and evolving business models in the digital era-
In recent years, her research has increasingly centered on the emergence of the data economy and its transformative impact on agri-food value chains. She explores how data-driven governance and digital technologies—such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and IoT—can enhance traceability, transparency, and compliance, contributing to more resilient and sustainable food systems.
She has extensive experience leading multidisciplinary research and innovation projects at both national and international levels. Her projects often involve close collaboration with policymakers, industry stakeholders, and technology providers to design and assess digital solutions that support evidence-based decision-making and responsible innovation in the agri-food sector.
Dr. Rivas Arreola is a professor and researcher at Universidad Iberoamericana Puebla, with a background that spans chemical engineering (BSc), biotechnology (MSc), and biochemical engineering (PhD), complemented by a postdoctoral research stay in materials science. Her work lies at the intersection of biotechnology, food innovation, and sustainable materials, focusing on the valorization of agro-industrial waste through the development of advanced polymeric matrices. These materials find applications in tissue engineering, functional foods, textiles, and environmental technologies. Over the past 15 years, Dr. Rivas has led or collaborated on multiple academic and industry-linked R&D projects, working closely with national and international institutions to promote sustainable innovation.
In 2017, she was recognized with the “She4She” MujerTec Award by Tecnológico de Monterrey for her work mentoring and promoting women in STEM. She has also served as a judge for innovation and science competitions, including the Talent and Innovation Competition of the Americas (TIC Americas) and the international synthetic biology competition iGEM. Her ongoing work explores the integration of bioactive compounds, emerging technologies, and principles of social and solidarity economy to support sustainable and inclusive food systems.
She is actively involved in networks for science, entrepreneurship, and education, and holds professional diplomas in areas such as social economy, biomaterials, and innovation. Dr. Rivas is currently a member of professional associations including the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), the Society for Biomaterials, the Mexican Society for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (SMBB), IEEE Bionanotechnology and BioMEMs (BNM), and serves on the board of AMECA (2023–2025).
Carlos das Neves is EFSA’s Chief Scientist and has been a member of EFSA’s senior management team since November 2022.
A Portuguese and Norwegian national, Carlos was Director of Research and Internationalisation at the Norwegian Veterinary Institute (NVI) before joining EFSA, and previously served as Head of Virology and Head of Food Safety & Emerging Threats at the NVI. Additionally, he was a Full Professor at The Arctic University of Norway (UiT) from 2012 to 2025.
Carlos is a veterinarian (DVM – Technical University of Lisbon) and holds a PhD in veterinary sciences (Norwegian School of Veterinary Sciences). He also has a Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and a Certificate in Public Policy Analysis from the London School of Economics and Political Science. In April 2024, he has been appointed as a member and co-chair of the One Health High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP), the scientific and strategic advisory group to the Quadripartite organisations – Food and Agriculture Organisation, UN Environment Programme, World Health Organization and World Organisation for Animal Health.
Giorgia Spigno – DiSTAS – Department of Food Science and Technology for an Agri-food Chain, Food Technology, Oenology and Environment Section, Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Piacenza
She graduated in 1999 in Food Science and Technology and in 2003 she obtained a PhD in Chemical and Process Engineering. Her approach to the study of food technologies is based on the understanding of the chemical-physical and biochemical phenomena that occur in the processes of conservation and transformation of foods for their correct and optimal management. She carries out her research activity at the Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences of the Piacenza branch of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore where she teaches courses on processes and plants of the food industry and on conservation and packaging technologies to undergraduate and graduate students in Food Science and Technology. Since 2011 she has been involved in European projects related to the development of biomaterials for food packaging.
Pedro Queiroz, mestre em Biotecnologia – Engenharia Bioquímica e licenciado em Engenharia Biotecnológica, tem uma diversificada formação complementar realizada em Portugal e no estrangeiro.
Atualmente, é Diretor-Geral da FIPA – Federação das Indústrias Portuguesas Agro-Alimentares, Secretário-Geral de quatro associações setoriais (AFLOC, ANID, ANIGOM, ANIMAC), Membro do Comité de Diretores Gerais da FoodDrinkEurope, Membro do Board da AIBI (Association Internationale de la Boulangerie Industrielle), bem como Docente na Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Lisboa (no âmbito do Mestrado em Qualidade Alimentar e Saúde), Docente na Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa ( no âmbito da Licenciatura em Ciências da Nutrição), Representante nacional no SPES/GEIE – Spread European Safety, é ainda autor de várias publicações na imprensa escrita e Júri de vários concursos de inovação alimentar.
Keynote Speakers
Ana Novo Barros is an Associate Professor with Habilitation from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro. She has been the Director of the Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB) for 5 years (May 2017-July 2022) and of Institute for Innovation, Capacity building and Sustainability of Agri-Food production (Inov4Agro) for one year and half (January 2021-July 2022).
She is responsible for the Phytochemicals Laboratory, and Coordinator of the Agri-Food Quality Group. Her research targets are mainly in the identification, separation, and recovery of functional molecules from different natural products, as well as their implementation as ingredients and bioactive compounds in food, pharma and cosmetic industries, with an ultimate goal to extract high added-value molecules and re-use them in the circular economy and industrial symbiosis concepts.
In the last years, she was awarded with several prizes and distinctions. She has published more than 140 scientific documents, including research articles, reviews, and editorials, within the highest impact factor journals in the Food Science and Technology field (37 h-index, SCOPUS, May 2025). She has registered 9 national and international patents. She has international collaborations and is PI and member of several financed research projects with different typologies (last 5 years). She is the coordinator from the European project WASTELESS|TOPIC ID: HORIZON-CL6-2022-FARM2FORK-01-08. Her scientific work has raised interest and has led to the supervision of Post-doc (3 concluded, 1 ongoing), PhD (12 concluded and 7 ongoing), Master (50 concluded and 7 ongoing) and Bachelor (46 concluded) students. She has been member of organizing committees of scientific conferences, presented invited lectures in international and national conferences, and have >400 oral/poster communications, including papers in conference proceedings.
Mohamed Wageih – Project Officer @PRIMA Secretariat Barcelona. Certified STI professional and M&E Specialist from ILO with a track record of expertise in EU projects. Prior to PRIMA, he served as the Director of the Observatory of Business Innovation at a private University and held a pivotal role as an EU Project Coordinator at the Academy of Scientific Research. He was an R&I consultant at various Egyptian and European institutes. Over the years, he successfully developed a portfolio of over 25 EU-funded projects (EuropeAid, FP7, H2020, Horizon Europe, DG NEAR …) across Egypt, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, reflecting his deep understanding of international cooperation and R&I dynamics.
Currently, I’m monitoring more than 45 projects spanning Europe and the MENA region. His visionary leadership has led to the creation of innovative tools such as PRIMA Intelligent Analytical Tool and PRIMA M&E Platform. He has enriched his knowledge through specialized internships at prestigious institutes (UNESCO, WB, DLR, Manchester Univ….) Moreover, he has co-authored several policy reports and a book chapter, represented PRIMA at numerous international conferences, and delivered various training sessions at EU-Mediterranean countries.
Manuel Vázquez Vázquez is a Full Professor of Food Technology at the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain). His research focuses on: (a) the biotechnological production of food additives, (b) the application of additives and emerging technologies like HPP in food processing, and (c) the development of new biodegradable materials for food packaging. He has conducted extensive research on the use of by-products from the agri-food industry for the production of the enzyme transglutaminase and its application in the development of various foods, particularly fish and dairy products.
Currently, his work centers on the production of biofilms for use as sustainable food packaging. He has published more than 190 articles in high-impact scientific journals. He served as Editor-in-Chief of CyTA – Journal of Food for over 20 years and is currently a member of the editorial board of Food Hydrocolloids. His research has an h-index of 45, with over 7,500 citations by independent research groups worldwide. In 2005, he received the Young Scientific Award for Excellence in Research from the European Federation of Food Science and Technology (EFFoST).
He is founder of the Galician Association of Food Technologists and a promoter of the Mexican Society of Nutrition and Food Technology.
Avelino Álvarez Ordóñez is Doctor in Veterinary Medicine and PhD from Universidad de León, where he currently develops his professional activity as Associate Professor of the Department of Food Hygiene and Technology and Director of ICTAL (Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos). Previously, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at University College Cork (Ireland; 2010-2013) and Principal Investigator at Teagasc (Ireland; 2013-2016).
Since his appointment at Universidad de León in February 2016, he has secured >2,000,000€ as Principal Investigator of projects funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, BBVA Foundation and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), related to the identification of routes and mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance acquisition and spread through the food chain; one H2020 innovation action project focused on characterizing the microbiome of foods and associated processing environments, and developing biopreservation agents to extend the shelf-life and improve the safety of meat products; and one Horizon Europe Soil Mission project aimed at developing innovative solutions to valorise nutrients and organic matter in food processing side-streams as tailored biofertilizers and soil improvers.
To date, he has published >130 research articles, co-authored >60 EFSA scientific opinions, and acted as keynote speaker at various national and international congresses. Since 2018 he is member of the Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ) of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and has acted as chair of 7 working groups of the BIOHAZ Panel of EFSA. His main research interests: food safety, food microbiomes, new food processing and preservation technologies, foodborne pathogens, antimicrobial resistance, bacterial physiology and ecology, bacterial responses to stress conditions, and the ecology and biocontrol of microbial biofilms.
Mario M. Martinez began his independent research career as an Assistant Professor (Tenure Track) at the University of Guelph (ON, Canada), where he received the College of Engineering and Physical Science (CEPS) Assistant Professor Research Excellence Award from the University of Guelph, the Ontario Early Researcher Award (ERA) from the Government of Ontario, and the Young Scientist Award from the Cereals & Grains Association in the United States. Then, Mario became Associate Professor at Aarhus University, where his research was recognized with prestigious awards and elite grants, including the Nils Foss Talent Prize 2021 (Foss Analytics, Denmark) and the DFF-Sapere Aude excellence project.
In June 2024, he joined the University of Valladolid (Spain) as an Associate Professor and Consolidated Researcher through two talent-attraction programs. Mario is also Adjunct Professor at the Whistler Center for Carbohydrate Research (Purdue University, USA) and editor of the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.
His research focuses on understanding structure-function relationships of plant biopolymers, establishing analytical methods to elucidate the complex structural features, and exploring chemical, enzymatic, and physical modifications of plant polysaccharides. His team also works on understanding the interactions between food macromolecules and small metabolites in complex systems
Veronica Lattanzio. Chemist. Senior Researcher at the Institute of Sciences of Food Production, of the National Research Council of Italy. She has/had responsibility in several national and international projects relevant to food safety. Coordinator of the H2020 project “FOODSAFETY4EU: Multi-Stakeholder platform for Food Safety in Europe” and then of the “EU FOOD SAFETY PLATFORM” (https://foodsafetyplatform.eu/) ” which main goal is to deliver solutions to support the EC in its endeavour in aligning research, policy and innovation with the societal needs and perspectives and improving food safety across Europe.
Member of the Scientific and Stakeholder Advisory Board of FutureFoodS, the European partnership for a sustainable Future of Food Systems. Her main research domains are i) food contaminants: mycotoxins, pesticides, risk assessment, risk communication, standard/official methods, screening methods, and ii) multi-actor co-creation of input for R&I agendas and policies in the food safety/sustainability domain.
She is Member of the Working Group “Biotoxins” (CEN/TC 275 WG5 “Food Analysis – Horizontal Methods – Biotoxins), of the European Committee for Standardization. She collaborates with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as project advisor and expert to provide individual and collective training related to testing chemical contamination for food safety.
Maria Beatriz Oliveira is Full Professor from University of Porto, Faculty of Pharmacy; Director of the Master Course in Quality Control; member of the EFSA Scientific Network for Risk Assessment of GMOs; and member of a specialized committee from ASAE. She is the Head of GRESA, a REQUIMTE/LAQV research group which includes PhD researchers and PhD and MSc students.
She supervised several students as well as co-authored publications in international journals, in national journals, book chapters; and communications in national and international meetings. The developed work includes food science and security, environmental sustainability and evaluation of by-products focused on their valorization by environmentally friendly and sustainable methodologies. She has an extensive collaboration with companies in the food sector and several award-winning works. She has 4 granted patents and 3 under evaluation.
Victor Freitas graduated in Chemistry from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto (FCUP) in 1984, with a specialization in Organic Chemistry. He pursued further studies with a PhD in Biological and Medical Sciences at the University of Bordeaux (1991–1994), where he deepened his knowledge in the field of vine and wine chemistry and biochemistry. He returned to FCUP in 1996 and was promoted to Full Professor in 2011.
He is a member of the Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry (LAQV) at REQUIMTE, where he coordinates the research group “Food Quality and Technology.”
Scientifically, Victor Freitas has gained international recognition for his innovative research on polyphenols, significantly contributing to the understanding of food flavour and biological properties. Notable honours include the Award from the Division of Agricultural and Food Chemistry of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in 2014 and the Manfred Rothe Award for Research Excellence. In 2024, he was awarded the Scientific Excellence Award from the University of Porto, and in 2025 he received the GP Award from the International Group of Polyphenols.
His scientific output includes over 400 articles in leading journals and more than 20 books or book chapters. He has collaborated with various research groups and companies on national and international projects, mainly within the agri-food sector.
He is an active member of several scientific societies, having chaired the International Group of Polyphenols (2016–2021), served as President of the Organic Chemistry Division of the Portuguese Chemical Society (SPQ), and is currently President of the SPQ Porto Division.
Manuela Pintado has been a Professor at the College of Biotechnology of the Portuguese Catholic University (ESB-UCP) since 2005. In 2017, she became the director of CBQF (Chemistry and Biotechnology Center – State Associate Laboratory), an ESB UCP research unit as well as Associate Director of ESB UCP. She was a member of the Research and Internationalization Group of UCP (2014-2016). She has established a strong interaction with industry, and she has been the Coordinator of Department of Scientific Services for Industry (SETIF) (2013-2016). Additionally, she has been an invited professor at Paraíba Federal University (2012 and from 2014 to 2016).
She coordinated the Task Force of Dairy Products of the College of Biotechnology Industry Association (AESBUC; 2000-2005). Her research interests include biotechnology and biochemistry, carrying out research in a range of key technologies for the production, characterization, and preservation of industrially/traditionally processed products.
José António Teixeira is currently Professor at Biological Engineering Department, University of Minho (since 2001). He has a degree in Chemical Engineering from University of Porto (1980) and a PhD in Chemical Engineering also from University of Porto (1988).
José António Teixeira has been developing his research activities in two main areas: Industrial Biotechnology, including bioprocess development for the valorisation of agro-industrial residues and new design bioreactors and continuous processing, and Food Biotechnology, including non-conventional food processing and food nanotechnology.
He supervised/supervises numerous researchers, including 52 PhD students and 25 post-Docs. He was Principal Investigator in 39 projects with external financial support. He edited 6 books and published more than 750 papers in peer reviewed journals (h-index of 102 for Scopus/ISI) being named Highly Cited Researcher in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Dr. Marina Soković Assistant Minister for Science, Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, Republic of Serbia
Dr. Marina Soković is the current Assistant Minister for Science at the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia. She holds a PhD in Biology from the University of Belgrade and has over 25 years of experience in scientific research and higher education.
Dr. Soković is a leading expert in mycology and natural product research, with a special focus on the antifungal activity of bioactive compounds. She has authored over 400 scientific publications, supervised numerous PhD students, and is internationally recognised as one of the world’s top 2% most cited scientists.
In her governmental role, Dr. Soković actively promotes international scientific collaboration, gender equality in science, and the advancement of research and innovation in Serbia. Her dual perspective as both a scientist and a policymaker make her a key figure in shaping the country’s research landscape.
Dr. Paola Giavedoni is an Food-System expert, with extensive international experience in the sector.
Grounded on an early scientific career (she owns a Master in Food Science and a Doctorate in Food Biotechnology), she worked 25 years in the Food Industry (at Unilever, Chiquita, & Migros) in different managerial & leadership roles in R&D and Innovation, developing new products and technologies in different product categories.
From 2019 to 2022, Paola joined EIT food (European Institute of Innovation & Technology) as Director of Innovation and Member of the Management Board. In this capacity, she was responsible for bringing together key actors from across Europe to accelerate the delivery of innovative solutions, and therefore support the transformation of the agrifood sector.
Since 2023 Paola is an independent senior consultant and holds the role of Head of Global Collaborations at Foodvalley in The Netherlands. In this role she contributes to the development of AgriFood Ecosystems and Hubs around the World, by deploying the Foodvalley Practical Approach and by transferring knowledge and best practices.
Paola is also EU Expert and Reviewer and Advisory Board member.