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First Round of Abstract Submission Ends: Dec 31, 2026
Extended Early Bird Ends: Apr 28, 2026

Plenary Speakers

Prof. Daniel Müller
ETH Zürich, Switzerland
Title: To be confirmed.
Will update soon.
Prof. Marina Cvjetko Bubalo
University of Zagreb, Croatia
Title: Beyond Conventional Solvents: Deep Eutectic Systems for Advanced Biotechnological Applications
Marina Cvjetko Bubalo is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Croatia, a position she has held since 2022. She obtained her Diploma in Biochemical Engineering in 2007 and her PhD in Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering in 2012 from the same institution.

Her research focuses on the preparation, characterization, and application of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) in food technology, biotechnology, and chemical technology. Her work places particular emphasis on the use of DESs in biocatalytic reactions, the fine-tuning of DES composition for the extraction of biologically active compounds, and the stabilization of target molecules within DES systems.

Professor Cvjetko Bubalo has co-authored more than 55 peer-reviewed scientific publications (h-index: 28, Web of Science), including six highly cited papers ranked in the top 1% of publications in their respective academic fields. From 2021 to 2025, she was recognized among the top 2% of scientists worldwide in the field of Biotechnology, according to a survey conducted by Stanford University.
Prof. Suzana Ferreira-Dias
University of Lisbon, Portugal
Title: Biocatalysis for Structured Lipids in Food Biotechnology: From Sustainable Feedstocks to Functional and Nutritional Fats
Dr. Suzana Ferreira-Dias is an Associate Professor with Habilitation at the School of Agriculture (Instituto Superior de Agronomia, ISA), University of Lisbon, Portugal. Her research is primarily focused on Food Engineering, particularly on the Technology and Biotechnology of Oils and Fats. She has made significant contributions to the development and optimization of sustainable enzyme-catalyzed processes for producing (i) functional structured lipids, (ii) food emulsifiers, (iii) biodiesel from both edible and non-edible oils, (iv) promoting oil extraction and (v) valorization of agro-industrial residues. In addition to her core research, Dr. Ferreira-Dias works extensively on olive oil characterization and extraction technology, and sensory analysis for food quality control and product development. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates biotechnology, sustainability, and food innovation to promote healthier and more eco-efficient food systems.

She is a member of the Expert Group on Olive Oil Chemistry of the International Olive Council, nominated by the European Union. She holds several editorial and professional roles in renowned international journals and organizations. Dr. Ferreira-Dias is an Associate Editor of the Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society (Wiley) and serves on the Editorial Boards of Bioresource Technology (Elsevier) and Grain & Oil Science and Technology (Elsevier). Furthermore, she is an active Member of the International Bioprocessing Association (IBA-IFIBiop). Her research and academic leadership have significantly advanced sustainable lipid biotechnology and food processing technologies, bridging scientific innovation with industrial application.
Prof. Jian-Yong Wu
Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Title: Bioproduction of polysaccharides and oligosaccharides as prebiotics for adult and infant health
Dr. JY Wu is a full professor at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and a distingushed professor at Nanchang University (NCU). He received his PhD in Biochemical Engineering in 1994 at Queen’s University in Canada. He has published more than 220 peer-reviewed scientific papers, receiving over 11,200 citations and an H-index 67 on Scopus, and has been listed as the world top 2% most cited scientist by Stanford University since 2021. He is an editor/board member for Carbohydrate Polymers, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Nutrients (MDPI), Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry (IUBMB), Food Quality & Safety (Oxford Academic) and Food Physics (KeAi). His major areas of research interest: Bioprocesses for medicinal fungi; Natural and bioactive polysaccharides; Functional foods, prebiotics and gut microbiota; Ultrasound-assisted processes for food and natural products; Energy storage materials in liquid systems.
Prof. Jose M. Pardo
CSIC-Universidad de Sevilla, Spain
Title: Ins and Outs of Sodium Transport and Salinity Tolerance of Plants
José M. Pardo is a Research Professor of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) at the Institute of Plant Biochemistry and Photosynthesis (IBVF) in Seville. He has a long and distinguished research career in which he has made important scientific contributions in the field of plant nutrition and stress physiology, with an emphasis on how plants manage salinity and nutrients, especially sodium and potassium. His work uses translational approaches to achieve more sustainable agriculture, ensuring better crop yields under unfavorable conditions.

Prof Pardo has developed his activity in accredited national and international universities and research institutions such as the Autonomous University of Madrid, the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Germany, Purdue University in the USA, and KAUST in Saudi Arabia.
Prof. Suzana Yusup
Sunway University, Malaysia
Title: Transition to Net Zero: Roles of Bioenergy and Biobased Products in Energy Storage and CO2 reduction.
Professor Suzana is a Professor at School of Engineering, Sunway University and the Deputy Dean (Research and Sustainability), Faculty of Engineering and Technology. She is a registered Professional Engineer (BEM), Charted Engineer, and Charted Scientist (ICHEM). She is a Fellow of Academy Sciences Malaysia (Engineering Science), Fellow of Forum International Bioprocessing Association, Senior Fellow Researcher Resilience Development Initiative Indonesia, (Renewable Energy and Emission Reduction). She is recognised for her research in biomass conversion to biofuels and biobased products, green technology, and sustainable energy. She led collaborative research at national and international levels and involved in industries consultancies. Among recognition received including the Top Research Scientist Malaysia 2016, Malaysia’s Rising Star Award 2016, Malaysia Research Star Award 2017, 2019, Private Education Excellence Award 2018, Asia Research Award 2012, and Elsevier Green Chemistry Challenge (2016). She is passionate in developing sustainable, green solutions through education and innovations for benefits of community and industries.
Prof. Peer M. Schenk
University of Queensland, Australia
Title: From Research to Large-Scale Industrial Applications of Microalgae and Soil Microbes
Adjunct Professor Peer Schenk is a Plant Scientist and Microbiologist who is passionate about using plants, algae and beneficial bacteria to provide sustainable solutions to industry. As an Adjunct to the Centre for Bioinnovation at UniSC, and the founding Director of the Sustainable Solutions Hub, he bridges the gap between academia and industry.

Adjunct Professor Schenk has over 30 years’ experience in R&D in Plant and Microbial Biotechnology, leading to five start-up companies, seven patents and >250 scientific papers with ~2,500 citations per year. He specialises in Plant-Microbe Interactions, Bioprocess Engineering and Regenerative Agriculture, and developed the emerging industries in large-scale Algae Cultivation and Plant Microbiome Engineering in Australia and overseas.