Prof. dr. Lene Lange

Director of LL-BioEconomy, Denmark

Presentation topic: An International Perspective on the Development of the Circular & Biobased Economy in EU

Professional career includes experience from Director of Research positions in both private sector and academia as well as full professor positions at three different Danish universities. After PhD and Post doc positions (University of Copenhagen), scientist, Seed Pathology Institute (1978-86), Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, DANIDA, 1987-2006, holding R&D positions in private industry, Novo Nordisk, and Novozymes A/S, finishing in top research career position (Director of Research in Molecular Biotechnology). From 2007, recruited back to academia, first as Head of Institute of Biology, University of Copenhagen, then first Dean of Research, the Research Director (and Professor in Biotechnology) for Aalborg University and lastly, Professor and Research leader at Technical University of Denmark. From 2018, own company, LL-BioEconomy, focusing on bioinformatics and experimental research for discovery of new fungal enzymes for improved use of biological resources, for mitigating climate change, improved health & nutrition. Current activities include research consortium partnerships in International, European, Nordic, and Danish projects. Vice Chair, Scientific Committee, advisory to the EU Commission, BBI-JU, and CBE-JU as well as member of Danish Bioeconomy Panel, advisory to the Danish Government. Publications, 1973-2023: >300 peer reviewed papers, books, book chapters, monographs, patents. In all >6.300 citations, 3.800 after 2018, H-index 36. Lene Lange is an IMA Fellow.

 

Professor dr. Agnieszka Jaszczak

University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Department of Landscape Architecture, Poland

Vytautas Magnus University, Bioeconomy Research Institute, Lithuania

Presentation topic: Greening the Globe: The R(evolution) of Sustainable Design 

Head of the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland, she obtained her Ph.D. in landscape architecture in 2005, achieved habilitation in 2013, and became a professor at her home institution in 2021. In addition to her role in Olsztyn, she holds a position at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas and has served as a visiting professor at various European universities (Germany, Slovakia, Finland, Turkey). 

Her research in the fields of architecture and urban planning has resulted in over 200 scientific publications and active involvement in numerous international scientific and educational projects. With a focus on landscape architecture, she has spearheaded more than 70 interventions, particularly concentrating on projects dedicated to the revitalization of public spaces in urban areas. Beyond academia, her artistic endeavours include showcasing paintings and photographic works in 15 solo and collective exhibitions, spanning Poland, Italy, Germany, and Lithuania. 

Her research interests encompass urban and rural planning, the revitalization of public spaces, the concept of liability and well-being, green therapy, the development of Cittaslow towns, Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), and sustainable tourism. 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sandija Zeverte-Rivza 

Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Economics and Social Development 

Presentation topic: Transformative Digitalization in Bioeconomy: Unleashing Innovation and Sustainability 

Dr Sandija Zeverte-Rivza holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics and is an Associate Professor at the Latvian University of Life Sciences and Technologies. Her research focuses on investigating the impact of digital transformation in the bioeconomy sectors, with a particular focus on the sectoral analysis of agriculture in Latvia.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Patrik Rovný 

Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Faculty of Economics and Management 

Presentation topic: Alternative Agricultural Systems and Their Impact on Consumers 

An associate professor at the Institute of Marketing, Trade and Social Studies, Faculty of Economics and Management of the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra. He is a co-guarantor of the Master study program Agrarian Trade and Marketing and course supervisor of the course Agrarian Marketing, Technology in Foreign Trade and Trade Operations. He is a chairperson of the Slovak Association of Agricultural Entrepreneurs and Family Farms and former vice-chairperson of the Association of Slovak Young Farmers, official agrarian consultant, coordinator of international educational projects. He is also a real farmer and combines the knowledge of theory and practice in the field of solving problems of young farmers, family farms and also problems of soil and food quality. 

Wim Haentjens

Directorate-General Research & Innovation – ‘Bioeconomy & Food Systems’ Unit, European Commission (Belgium)

Presentation topic: EU Bioeconomy Strategy: a Key Policy

Wim is a policy officer in the unit ‘Bioeconomy & Food Systems’ of DG Research & Innovation. He works on the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, and on FOOD 2030, the EU’s R&I framework for future-proofing food systems. Wim joined the European Commission from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in Flanders, Belgium, and the Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Prior to that, he held various positions in the private sector, in particular in the food sector. Wim holds an engineering degree with a major in chemistry from Gent University and an MBA in International Management from Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School.