Our Team
Steering Committee
The BioBIVE Steering Committee (SC) is composed of a representative from each beneficiary and is responsible for the coordination of the research activities from all partners involved in the work packages. The SC arrange for the timely execution and preparation of deliverables to assure that the objectives are attained. Thus, the SC allows for focused and comprehensive monitoring of the WP status measured against deliverable and milestone planning, control of deliverable timeliness and quality in order to ensure timely and accurate work plan follow-up, early identification of possible technical and organisational problems and for trouble shooting. If necessary, the SC can request another member of the consortium to join the SC to represent a particular area of work or expertise. The SC keep the Coordinator informed of the development and progress status on a regular basis.
Dr. Carlos Barreiro
BioBIVE Coordinator
ULE - Dr. CARLOS BARREIRO
Dr. Barreiro is Associate Professor in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Area of the Universidad de León (personal website). His scientific career (ORCID: 0000-0001-7328-1630) has mainly focused on: i) the production of high value compounds such as immunosuppressants (Streptomyces tsukubaensis), steroids (Mycobacterium), antibiotics (Penicillium chrysogenum) and amino acids or dicarboxylic acids (Corynebacterium glutamicum); ii) control of material degradation (metal fouling, wood decay, plastics recycling); iii) extremophiles culture (Acidithiobacillus); and iv) omics analyses (Genomics and Proteomics). This is the result of his involvement in 28 public funded projects: i) ten international (Horizon Europe, H2020, ERA-IB, FP7, FP5, FP4); ii) eighteen national, regional o local (Spanish Ministries, Regional Government of Castilla y León and Local), as well as iii) nine private enterprises funded projects. Nowadays, he is European Coordinator of the Horizon Europe project BioBIVE (https://biobive.eu/), and has been coordinator of two ERA-IB projects: ProWood (link) and MySterI (link). Besides, he has been Principal Investigator in three European projects [ESTELLA (https://estellaproject.eu/), BioProChemBB, SCILS].
Dr. Simone Balzer Le
Principal Researcher
SINTEF- SIMONE BALZER LE
Simone Balzer Le, PhD, is a research scientist working on interdisciplinary projects within molecular and sustainable biotechnology, and bioprospecting. She participated in 21 scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, 2 book chapters, 1 patent, and several confidential technical reports. BioBIVE is her 4th project with a PI role.
Simone.balzer.le@sintef.no Mr. Sander van Loon
Principal Researcher
VLCI - SANDER VAN LOON
Sander van Loon has an organic chemistry masters degree and started his career at PPG, where he worked for 7 years at the protective coatings laboratory. In 2008, he founded Van Loon Chemical Innovations (VLCI) and always had the vision to boosting your chemistry. Therefore, VLCI provides R&D services to the formulation industry via the practical implementation of predictive formulation sciences HSP and HLD combined with High Throughput (HT) screening. Since 2021, VLCI has launched the world’s largest predictive ingredient shared dataset with HSP and HLD, linked to formulation web-apps, to further boost science-based formulation R&D.
s.vanloon@vlci.biz Mr. Javier González
Principal Researcher
EITFOOD - JAVIER GONZALEZ
Javier González, an environmental scientist, contributes to innovation and technological development in European agrifood ecosystems at EIT Food. His career includes supporting startups and scaleups, fostering SME–corporate collaborations, and delivering RTD consultancy to multinationals and research centres. With extensive expertise in EU funding strategies, he has held roles in public administration, private companies, and academia. His professional experience, combined with research across European universities, equips him with a strong grasp of environmental and business development.
javier.gonzalez@eitfood.eu Dr. Gabriella Santagata
Principal Researcher
CNR - GABRIELA SANTAGATA
Senior Researcher at the Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials – National Research Council (IPCB-CNR), with extensive experience as scientific coordinator and responsible for multiple EU and national projects (BioBIVE, BIOPLASTICS EUROPE, BIOATTICOBIO, TERRE, FOE, ReLEAF, SEAREFINERY). Her research focuses on biopolymers, biodegradable composites, biomass valorization, and advanced characterization techniques. Author of 81 JCR publications, books, and chapters, with an H-index of 31 and over 3,300 citations. Awarded Leonardo’s iBAT Challenge in 2022.
santagata@ipcb.cnr.it Mr. Hartmut Welck
Principal Researcher
FRAUNHOFER - HARTMUT WELCK
Hartmut Welck studied agricultural sciences with a focus on economics and social sciences at the University of Hohenheim (Germany) and got trained as a sustainability manager. He has more than 15- years of experience in the area of Bioeconomy on regional, national and EU level. He is a re-search associate at the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI, Department of New Technologies, Business Unit Bioeconomy and Life Sciences since 2024.
Hartmut.Welck@isi.fraunhofer.de Mr. David Muñoz Pascual
Principal Researcher
IDEAL FRUIT - DAVID MUÑOZ PASCUAL
David Muñoz Pascual holds a degree in Economics and Business from the Faculty of
Commerce at the University of Valladolid. His early career in the field of strawberry variety
development, testing, and patenting led him, more than 25 years ago, to establish his own
company dedicated to the cultivation and commercialization of berries in central Spain.
A specialist in the agronomic knowledge of strawberry cultivation—acquired through
various courses and collaborations with leading international companies in strawberry
varietal development—he currently leads a highly specialized technical team that develops
hydroponic strawberry cultivation within his company. They also manage the development
of other berry crops in different geographical locations worldwide.
Recently, his work in the agri-industrial sector was recognized by the Faculty of Commerce
where he studied, which named him Entrepreneur of the Year 2024.
david@idealfruits.es Dr. Jerson Garita-Cambronero
Principal Researcher
ITACYL - JERSON GARITA
Jerson Garita-Cambronero, PhD in Microbial Biotechnology. Experienced in molecular microbiology and genomics/metagenomics, with a focus on microbe-host interactions, particularly the pathogenomics of phytopathogenic bacteria. Since 2024, he has been a researcher and head of the Molecular Microbiology Laboratory at the Instituto Tecnológico Agrario de Castilla y León.
garcamje@itacyl.es Dr. Evelia Schettini
Principal Researcher
UNIBA - EVELIA SCHETTINI
Evelia Schettini, Civil Engineer with a PhD in Structural Engineering, is Associate Professor at the University of Bari (Italy) since 2015. Her research focuses on greenhouse materials and equipment, biodegradable materials for agriculture, protected cultivation structures, microclimate analysis, plastic waste management, and green technologies. She is scientific responsible for the University of Bari in Horizon projects BioBIVE and PAPILLONS, and author of ~170 publications in international and national refereed journals and proceedings.
evelia.schettini@uniba.it Dr. Antje Birkholz
Principal Researcher
FKUR - ANTJE BIRKHOLZ
Dr.-Ing. Antje Birkholz has been working at FKuR since 2020. She began her professional career after receiving her Ph.D. in 2018, taking on a role as a Project Engineer. At the beginning of 2024, she was promoted to Head of R & D at FKuR, where she is responsible for overseeing innovation projects, leading the R & D team, and driving the development of sustainable polymer solutions.
antje.birkholz@fkur.com Mr. Walter Aker
Principal Researcher
SBA - WALTER AKER
Experienced executive with over two decades of leadership in industrial and technology sectors. Proven track record in corporate management, strategic development, and technical innovation, with extensive experience in project leadership and international business operations.
Walter.aker@standard.bio Dr. Mona Sabo
Principal Researcher
USN - MONA SABO
Experienced academic leader with a PhD in molecular biology and significant involvement in project acquisition. Has worked on soil and biochar projects in Norway. Proven ability in programme coordination (MSc Ecology and Environmental Management) and as part of a PhD supervisory team. Served as a board member at university level for several years. Documented experience in supervising and mentoring a significant number of MSc and PhD students.
Mona.sabo@usn.no Dr. Maurizio Avella
Principal Researcher
AGROBION - MAURIZIO AVELLA
Maurizio Avella is a chemist and he has worked for more than 35 years on research dealing with material science at the Italian Research Council (CNR) . He has coordinated 5 EU projects and he was scientific responsible of many Italian and international projects. Dr. Avella has published over 150 papers and 10 patents. His H index is 53.
maurizioavella54@gmail.com Dr. Agate Meabe Pinedo
Principal Researcher
CTME - AGATE MEABE
Doctor degree in Materials Science and Technology from the University of the Basque Country. Masters in Applied Chemistry and Polymeric Materials and New Materials. 5 years of experience as a researcher at the GAIKER-IK4 Technology Center, carrying out the Doctoral Thesis and participating in research projects. Researcher at the Institute of Nanoscience of Aragon (INA) during 2014. Currently Senior Researcher in the Materials Area of CTME.
agatemeabe@ctme.es Dr. Estelle Court
Principal Researcher
GUP - ESTELLE COURT
R&D Manager at GUERIN PACKAGING since 2019, with expertise in polymer materials, manufacturing processes, and product development. Skilled in project management and advanced characterization methods, I lead a team of engineers while coordinating European projects on circular economy, recycling, and industrial scalability. My background includes hands-on blow-extrusion experience and an engineering degree in materials science from INSA Lyon. I am committed to innovation, sustainability, and fostering effective industry–research collaboration.
e.court@guerinpackaging.com Mrs. M. Soraya Alvarez Casado
Principal Researcher
HORCAOL - M. SORAYA ALVAREZ
Agricultural Engineering. Extensive training in risk prevention, environmental management, negotiation, topography. Over 20 years managing agricultural fieldwork, crop inspection, and safety coordination. Most recent positions include Field Technician at HORCAOL S. COOP and AB Azucarera Iberia . Experience in education as a trainer in animal welfare and phytosanitary handling courses.
tcampo@horcaol.es 