Programme

Prof. Dr. Sarah Lebeer is a research professor at the Laboratory of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology of the University of Antwerp, Belgium. In 2020, Sarah obtained an ERC Starting Grant (Lacto-Be) that enables her to gain in-depth knowledge of the evolutionary history and ecology of lactobacilli. Within this ERC project, Sarah has launched the Isala citizen-science project ((https://isala.be/en) to gain new insights in the ecology and role of vaginal lactobacilli for women’s health, but also to actively involve women to contribute with ideas on how to improve vaginal health and break some taboos together.

The title of her presentation will be: "Combining citizen science with emerging microbial technologies: lessons from our Isala program."

Prof. Dr. Yuemei Lin is an associate professor at the Environmental Biotechnology group at Delft University of Technology. Her research focuses on the extraction and characterization of extracellular polymers (hashtag#EPS) in microbial aggregates (flocculant and granular sludge and biofilm) , understanding the role of EPS in microbial aggregates formation, link the EPS with reactor operation. In addition, as EPS itself is a biopolymer, she investigates EPS recovery from waste sludge to convert it into useful materials.

The title of her presentation will be: "Extracellular polymeric substances from excess sludge as a resource."

Dr. Calikowski works at the European Commission as Policy Officer at the DG RTD Directorate B “Healthy Planet”, unit B1 “Green Transitions”. He is involved in EU policies related to circular bio-based systems and innovation, Horizon Europe programming, sustainable biomass value chains bioeconomy, as well as bio-based industry, in particular under the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU). Dr. Calikowski received his PhD degree in plant biochemistry at the Polish Academy of Sciences Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics in Warsaw (2000), followed up with postgraduate studies at the Pennsylvania State University (USA) and Ohio State University (USA).

The title of his presentation will be: "The European bioeconomy and its bio-based sector: how can they contribute to the sustainable development and green transition."