Speakers

Our Keynote Speaker

Daniel Lupu, MD, PhD. Director for Clinical Research, Rare Endocrine Disorders – Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, San Diego CA (U.S.A.)

With 16 years of experience as a scientist, Dr. Daniel Lupu has developed expertise in various areas, including clinical development, precision oncology, molecular diagnostics, biomarkers, and translational research.

Daniel Lupu holds a PhD in Nutritional Biochemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MD from Transilvania University in Brasov. With exceptional experience in basic, clinical, and translational research, Daniel has worked across academia, biotech, and therapeutics companies, focusing on diagnostics, precision oncology, and drug development. He serves as an editorial board member for The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry and is an active reviewer for Open Forum Infectious Diseases (OFID) journal. He is also a member of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Currently, he is involved in clinical development strategies to evaluate new drug candidates targeting metabolic complications of cancer and obesity.

Iustin-Nicolae Bilibou, RD, MS, Clinical Lead Dietitian. Cygnet Health Care (UK)

Iustin is a highly accomplished dietitian with a BSc in Nutrition & Dietetics and two MSc degrees, both obtained within the Faculty of Medicine—one in Clinical and Community Nutrition and the other in Health Systems Management.

Since joining Cygnet in 2020, Iustin has advanced from Specialist Dietitian to Clinical Lead for the Dietetics Department, building a wealth of experience that spans both mental and physical health.

His expertise covers a diverse range of fields, including eating disorders, neuropsychiatry, forensics, internal medicine, and endocrinology, reflecting a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between physical and mental well-being.

In addition to his role within Cygnet, Iustin serves as the Group Leader for the Romanian Society of Nutritional Sciences and regularly shares his insights as a speaker and lecturer at national and international conferences.

Iulian Boboescu, PhD, Wageningen University and Research Wageningen (Netherlands)

After completing his PhD at the Politechnica University Timisoara, Romania, and the Biological Research Center Szeged, in Hungary, working on novel microbial – microalgal biohydrogen production approaches, Dr. Boboescu was offered a Mitacs Accelerate fellowship at the Sherbrooke University in QC Canada. Here, he developed and scaled-up novel second and third generation biorefinery technologies together with some of the biggest North American companies active in the fields of biofuels, biocommodities and specialty chemicals.

Dr. Boboescu joined the Bioprocess Engineering (BPE) group of Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands, after securing a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship to develop a novel acoustic biorefinery approach. Presently, Dr. Boboescu is leading the Biorefinery group at BPE, working on novel extraction, fractionation and formulation technologies for microbial biotechnology applications. In this context, Dr. Boboescu is employing eutectic mixtures, enzyme cocktails and external fields (electric and acoustic) to enhance, simplify or completely rethink current downstream technologies.

Agata Chmurzyńska, ME, PhD, Head of Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Poznan University of Life Sciences (Poland)

Agata Chmurzynska, head of the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Poznań University of Life Sciences. Professor of medical and health sciences, PhD in genetics, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań. Board member of the Poznań branch of the Polish Society of Nutritional Sciences. Member of the Board of Directors of the International Society of Nutrigenetics & Nutrigenomics. Member of the Human Nutrition Committee and the Committee for Food and Nutrition Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences. Member of the scientific council of the Polish Federation of Food Industry. Chair of the Ethics Committee and chair of the Teaching Quality Committee for dietetics studies, Poznań University of Life Sciences. Founder of the Molecular Metabolism Laboratory. Principal investigator in several scientific projects, recipient of national grants. Research interests: determination of body mass and lipid metabolism, one-carbon metabolism, fetal programming, taste and food choices, nutrigenetics.

Daniela Cîrnațu, MD, PhD, Western University “Vasile Goldiş”, Arad (Romania)

She graduated from UMF Victor Babeș in Timișoara (1999). She is a primary health care physician from 2011, doctor of medicine (2012) with a doctoral thesis in the field of medicine – the topic “Research on the food safety of the use of genetically modified organisms in the feed of broilers”, at the University of West Vasile Goldiș in Arad, specialization in food safety at the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Bucharest in 2008. Currently, she is the head of the Hygiene discipline at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of West Vasile Goldiș in Arad. Dr. Cîrnațu is also the resident coordinator for the “Hygiene” specialization in the Arad University Center. Since 2020, she has been a primary care physician at the National Institute of Public Health – Timișoara Regional Public Health Center. After 18 years of professional experience in the field of public health and food safety (of which 7 years in the Arad Veterinary Sanitary and Food Safety Directorate, and 8 years in the Arad Public Health Directorate) she is particularly focused on food supplements and foods with added vitamins and minerals. Dr. Cîrnațu is currently a member of the Hygiene Consultative Commission of the Ministry of Health and the secretary of the Hygiene Commission of the Romanian College of Physicians.

Mihai Covaşă, PhD. Professor of Physyology, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences (Pomona, California). Dean of The School of Medicine and Biological Sciences, Ștefan cel Mare University (Suceava, Romania). Vicepresident of The Society for Nutritional Sciences (Romania)

Specialist in Nutrition and Gastrointestinal Physiology and doctor in Physiology and Nutrition, he completed his master’s and doctorate courses at the University of Leeds in the UK.

Dr. Mihai Covaşă attended postdoctoral courses in neuroscience at Washington State University, USA. He worked as a professor and researcher at Washington State University and Pennsylvania State University. He was Director of Research at the Division of Human Nutrition, Institute of Microbiology Micalis, INRA, Paris and Head of the Laboratory of Metagenomics and Physiology. He was PhD supervisor and taught at Sorbonne University and AgroParisTech Paris, France.

He is the author of more than 100 scientific papers in high-impact international journals, more than 150 conference presentations, grant reviewer for research funding agencies in several countries, and editor and reviewer for numerous scientific journals.

He founded the metagenomics laboratory within the Ștefan cel Mare University in Suceava, and his research activity is mainly based on the role of the brain-digestive system-intestinal microbiota axis in eating behavior with implications in obesity and diabetes. He coordinated many research projects, including the role of the intestinal microbiota in the control of type 2 diabetes and the identification of circulating strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in Romania.

Currently, he is a professor and dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Biological Sciences, from the “Ștefan cel Mare” University in Suceava, as well as a professor of physiology at the Faculty of Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California.

Dr. Covaşă is the Vicepresident of The Society for Nutritional Sciences (Romania).

Andreea Cristea, CEO, MPR Agency (Romania)

Andreea Cristea is the CEO and founder of MPR Agency, a healthcare marketing and communications agency, awarded the gold trophy at the European Excellence Awards 2022. Under her guidance and vision, MPR Agency became the exclusive partner in Southeastern Europe of GHMC, the largest global network of independent agencies specialized in the healthcare industry.

In 2023, Andreea Cristea was recognized by Capital Magazine as one of the most powerful business women in Romania and included in the TOP 100 Successful Women. For over 10 years, Andreea Cristea has contributed to innovation within the Romanian communication market, and strongly believes that health-related messages can have a significant impact when conveyed in a creative way.

Gerald Filip Flintoacă, MD, General Secretary of the Romanian Food Supplements Industry Association (PRISA), Board Member of the Romanian Advertising Council (Romania)

Gerald Flintoacă-Filip is a medical professional with a strong background in medicine and over a decade of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. After completing his medical studies at The University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iuliu Hatieganu Cluj-Napoca, he worked as a resident physician at “Sf. Ioan” Emergency Clinical Hospital in Bucharest.

He currently serves as the General Secretary of The Romanian Food Supplements Industry Association (PRISA) and is a Board Member of The Romanian Advertising Council. Additionally, Gerald works as a Regulatory Affairs Consultant for Sun Wave Pharma.

With expertise in Regulatory Affairs (RA), Quality Assurance (QA), pharmacovigilance, and healthcare consulting, he has played a key role in developing business strategies, ensuring regulatory compliance, and enhancing communication within the pharmaceutical and food supplements industries. His involvement with Food Supplements Europe (FSE) as a Board Member has strengthened his knowledge of European regulations and their implementation across member states.

Gerald is highly skilled in project management, healthcare consulting, and medical information, with a focus on creating compliant and effective strategies for product development, marketing, and regulatory inspection readiness.

Oleg Frumuzachi, RD, The Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca (Romania)

Oleg Frumuzachi is a licensed dietitian with both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Nutrition and Dietetics. He is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hațieganu” in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, where his research centers on functional foods. His scientific work is grounded in the study of bioactive compounds and nutraceuticals, with a growing portfolio of contributions in these areas. As a researcher, he has co-authored several papers published in international peer-reviewed journals, covering topics such as polyphenol extraction, the development of functional foods, and systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the effects of nutraceuticals on cardiometabolic health. His academic work reflects a strong dedication to evidence-based nutrition, bridging scientific research with practical dietary applications.

Grațiela Grădișteanu, MS, PhD, University of Bucharest (Romania)

Dr. Grătiella Grădișteanu is a distinguished microbiologist specializing in molecular biology and microbiota research. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Bucharest, followed by a Master’s in Microbial Biotechnology and Genetics and a Ph.D. in Infection Biology from University College Dublin, Ireland where she also continued her research as a postdoctoral fellow.

Dr. Gradisteanu is an Associate Professor at the University of Bucharest (ICUB), where she has led multiple national and international projects. Her primary research interests encompass next-generation sequencing, omic technologies, molecular diagnostics for infectious diseases, the role of the microbiome in health and disease, in vivo and ex vivo investigations of host-pathogen interactions during infection, and the development of biomaterials and tissue engineering solutions. ​

Dr. Grădișteanu’s work has significantly advanced the understanding of microbial interactions within the human body, particularly concerning gastrointestinal health and disease. Her contributions to molecular diagnostics and microbiome research continue to influence both academic and clinical practices.

Irina Mateieș, MD, RD, Amethyst Radiotherapy Center Cluj-Napoca (Romania)

Dr. Mateies is a family medicine physician who graduated from UMF Târgu Mureș in 2005. She is also a registered dietitian, having earned her degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from UMF Cluj-Napoca in 2012.

For the past decade, she has been working at Amethyst Radiotherapy Cancer Center in the Department of Oncology Nutrition. Her primary focus is supporting cancer patients in managing the nutritional side effects of oncology treatments, addressing malnutrition, and dispelling the many pervasive myths surrounding cancer nutrition.

In addition to her role at Amethyst Clinic, Dr. Mateies has conducted oncology nutrition courses for healthcare professionals and cancer patients. She has collaborated with non-profit organizations to provide nutritional education to a broader audience of cancer patients and their families. Furthermore, she has developed a blog and a YouTube channel to offer Romanian cancer patients free access to accurate nutritional information in their native language. She is also dedicated to mentoring dietetics students who are interested in pursuing a career in oncology nutrition.

Michael Bogdan Mărginean, PhD, University College London, The Francis Crick Institute, London (UK), and Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara (Romania)

Dr. Michael-Bogdan Mărgineanu is a researcher fellow at the Francis Crick Institute in London, specializing in cancer neuroscience with a focus on small cell lung cancer. He also serves as a lecturer in Human Physiology at the Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Timișoara, Romania. ​

Dr. Michael-Bogdan Mărgineanu completed his PhD under the supervision of Professor Pierre Magistretti at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia and holds a master’s degree from KAUST and a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from Jacobs University Bremen, Germany. ​

Dr. Mărgineanu was a visiting scientist at the APC Microbiome Institute in Cork, Ireland, and the University of Cambridge, UK. In 2018, he was among 600 young researchers from 84 countries selected to participate in the 68th Meeting of Nobel Prize Laureates in Lindau, dedicated to Physiology and Medicine. ​ Demonstrating a commitment to mentorship and scientific collaboration, Dr. Mărgineanu founded Biomentorhub in 2020, a youth-led NGO in Romania focused on mentoring young scientists and innovators in the biosciences. He is also a co-founder of the Lindau Mentoring Hub, a platform supported by the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings Foundation, aimed at fostering mentorship among early-career researchers

Monika Młodzik-Czyżewska, PhD, Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Poznań University of Life Sciences (Poland)

Monika Mlodzik-Czyzewska is a researcher at the Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland. She holds a Master’s degree in Biotechnology from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Poland. Monika completed her PhD in Food Technology and Nutrition under the supervision of Professor Agata Chmurzynska at the Poznan University of Life Sciences.

She developed her expertise in clinical epidemiology during a summer internship at the Perelman School University of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA and at the International Summer School in Nutritional Epidemiology at the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Potsdam, Germany. Her scientific activities have focused on investigating the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying the links between one-carbon metabolism (OCM), lipid metabolism and obesity.

Monika has been a principal investigator in A Preludium Project (National Science Centre, NCN) entitled “One-Carbon Metabolism in Overweight and Obese Individuals”, and a team member in several national projects on the relationship between obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and one-carbon metabolism.

Monica Neagu, Eng, Director, Directorate for Food Safety of Non-Animal Origin, The National Veterinary Sanitary and Food Safety Authority – ANSVSA (Romania)

Food Industry Engineer, Director of the Directorate for Food Safety of Non-Animal Origin within the National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority, with over 20 years of experience in central public administration, working in the field of regulating and implementing the European and national legislative framework on food safety. Monica Neagu serves as the National Contact Point for the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), responsible for coordinating this system at the national level, as well as acting as the contact point for emergencies within the Administrative Assistance and Cooperation System.

She is also the Codex Alimentarius Contact Point for Romania and has coordinated the activities of the working group on food contaminants during the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union (2019), presided over coordination meetings in Brussels for formulating and supporting the EU’s position at international plenary meetings.

Eng. Monica Neagu has been a team member and project manager in various projects funded by the European Commission (EC) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in the areas of crisis management and national food consumption. She is a member of the EFSA Advisory Forum, advising EFSA on scientific matters, activity programs, and their prioritization, particularly regarding the assessment and communication of existing and emerging risks.

Mihai Niculescu, MD, PhD, Advanced Nutrigenomics (U.S.A.). President of The Society for Nutritional Sciences (Romania)

Dr. Mihai Niculescu is an expert in nutrigenetics and nutritional epigenetics. Between 2008 and 2015, having his own laboratory at the Nutrition Research Institute (UNC Chapel Hill), his scientific activity focused on the relationship between nutrients and the genetic and epigenetic terrain, as well as the impact that nutrition has on epigenetic inheritance (epigenetic transgenerational inheritance). In 2015 Dr. Niculescu founded the company Advanced Nutrigenomics. In 2016, he became director of the NUTRIGEN project within UMF Timișoara, financed with 2 million euros from the European Union, through the Romanian government. 

His current research activity is focused on the role of genetic variations in nutrition, within the Romanian population, and in the implementation of precision nutrition.

He is the current president of The Society for Nutritional Sciences (Romania).

Elena Pogurschi, Dr.Eng, University of Agronomical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Engineering and Management of Animal Productions, Bucharest (Romania)

Professor at U.S.A.M.V. Bucharest, Faculty of Engineering and Management of Animal Productions, accredited in the Food Products Engineering PhD field (2023) with the habilitation thesis: Contributions to Improving the Nutritional and Hygienic Quality of Food Products through Environmentally Friendly Nutritional Strategies.

Dr. Elena Pogurschi gained expertise in Nutrition and Food Safety through a Master’s program at U.M.F. Carol Davila (2016), focusing on nutrition, food, nutritional sanogenesis, and functional nutrition. She has conducted interdisciplinary research with colleagues from U.S.A.M.V. Bucharest, where she is currently active, as well as with collaborators from U.M.F. “Carol Davila” Bucharest, U.V.V.G. Arad, U.S.A.M.V.B. “King Michael I of Romania” Timișoara, Dublin Institute of Technology (Ireland), Institute of Food Science, CNR-ISA (Italy), and the Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno (Italy).

Gabriela Precup, PhD, Scientific Officer, Novel Foods Team, Nutrition & Food Innovation Unit, EFSA, Parma (Italy)

Scientific Officer (2022-present) for the Novel Foods Team, Nutrition & Food Innovation Unit, EFSA, Parma, Italy, PhD in Food Biotechnology (2017-2022, U.S.A.M.V. Cluj-Napoca), Blue Book Trainee, Directorate-General for Health & Food Safety (Oct 2018-Feb 2019, Brussels, Belgium), Intern, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (July 2016-Sept 2016).

Dr. Gabriela Precup is involved in EFSA activities such as: Risk assessment of novel foods, specifically novel foods consisting of, isolated from, or derived from microorganisms, macroscopic fungi, and macroalgae or their parts; Joint coordination of risk assessment activities related to precision fermentation; Participation and presentation of novel food dossiers within the Novel Foods Working Group and the Nutrition, Food Allergies, and Novel Foods Panel (NDA Panel).

Elena Nicoleta Pop, MS, RD, Healthcare Central London (UK)

Ignacio Rangel, PhD, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University (Sweden)

Dr. Ignacio Rangel is a microbiologist specializing in microbial ecology within human and natural environments. Currently serving as professor at Örebro University’s School of Medical Sciences in Sweden, his research primarily focuses on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract’s microbiota. Dr. Rangel investigates how gut microbiota influence physiological, metabolic, immunological, and neurological processes in the host. His work aims to understand the mechanisms behind the beneficial interactions of commensal bacteria and traditional probiotics, such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, as well as next-generation probiotics like Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Additionally, he explores the roles of microbiota in maintaining a healthy gut and examines their involvement in gastrointestinal diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Dr. Rangel’s research encompasses the phylogenetic and functional profiling of gut microbiota in these conditions, aiming to identify the microorganisms present and elucidate their functional roles and interactions with the host at both local and systemic levels.

Alexandru Rusu, PhD, Biozoon GmBH (Germany)

Dr. Alexandru Rusu is the Leader of Strategic Research in Biozoon GmbH, Germany. He holds a Ph.D degree, having extensive background in different areas of biotechnology and food research. He is having a combined experience in academia and industry and a strong professional know–how in managing European collaborative RTD projects. He possesses a successful track record, both as project participant and as coordinator, in managing numerous European RTD projects, especially under the FP7 and Horizon 2020 EU Framework Programmes. Starting from transition of business models during the changing times, his intervention will gradually highlight innovations within a framework of health and nutrition. It comprises also several approaches taken through EU funded projects and addresses at the same time aspects related to funding for research and innovation within the EU Horizon 2020.

Anca Ignat-Sâncrăian, RD, Casa Ignat (Romania)

Anca-Ignat Sâncrăian is a registered dietitian from Cluj-Napoca and a member of the first generation of dietitians in Romania. After graduating from The “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Cluj-Napoca, with a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics (class of 2011), she embarked on an extensive career in the field of nutrition. With over 6,000 hours of nutritional counselling experience, Anca specializes in addressing metabolic, digestive, oncological, and neurological disorders.

In addition to her counselling services, Anca has delivered over 100 conferences and webinars and developed a variety of programs aimed at both individuals and groups. Notable initiatives include the “10-10” (a 10-week group educational weight loss program for overweight and obese patients), “Applied Nutrition” (a one-on-one personalized nutritional therapy program), “Nutrition For All”, formely “Sufletrit” (a free public program that feature Q&As in the field of nutrition). She has also offered internship opportunities for students in the field. In 2016, Anca developed and notified a food supplement called “Brain Proficiency”, aimed at enhancing intellectual capacities.

What sets Anca apart in her practice is her personalized approach, using advanced tools such as nutrigenetic and microbiome testing, combined with a multidisciplinary perspective. As a dedicated professional, she has participated in various congresses and conferences, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to the field of nutrition and ensuring continuous education.

Anca holds certifications from various institutions such as University of Melbourne, Monash University, Biogena, ISNN, The American Nutrition Association, and Advanced Nutrigenomics.

Dr. Thushara Stanly, MBBS, MRCPsych, PGDip in clinical neuropsychiatry, consultant psychiatrist. Cygnet Health Care (UK)

Dr. Thushara Stanly began her psychiatry training in 2008 and became a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in London in 2013. She then pursued specialist training, earning her Certificate of Training in Adult Psychiatry in 2017. Further advancing her expertise, she completed a Diploma in Clinical Neuropsychiatry at the University of Birmingham in 2020.

With extensive experience in managing chronic and enduring mental health conditions, Dr. Stanly has developed particular expertise in eating disorders, personality disorders, and neuropsychiatry. Her training encompassed various subspecialties, including child and adolescent psychiatry, learning disabilities, and forensic psychiatry, and she has worked across both community and inpatient settings.

A dedicated advocate of the bio-psycho-social model of recovery, she integrates this holistic approach into her daily practice, ensuring comprehensive and patient-centered care.

Monica Trif, PhD, Centiv GmBH (Germany)

She holds a PhD in Biotechnology, and has been involved in a Socrates Intensive Programme for ‘Food and Health’. Dr. Trif participated within EU COST 865, and managed other national and European projects (FP7 and Horizon 2020) related to development of the personalised food and implementing the ecessary process engineering related to the personalized formulations. More than 10 years of successful acquisition of funding for the implementation of Research & Innovation Actions projects – on national level and international level, and acts as Independent Expert (Evaluator, Reviewer and Rapporteur) by European Commission.

Nicoleta Tupiță, MS, RD, Nestlé (Romania)

She graduated in “Nutrition and Dietetics” at UMF Cluj-Napoca, and obtained her master’s degree in “Sports Nutrition” at the University of Valencia. SHe subsequently followed several specialization courses in sports nutrition and in communication. She believes that nutritional education can save lives and has coordinated several initiatives in the field in Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Serbia. With over 10 years of experience in nutrition, Nicoleta Tupiță is the co-author of three nutrition books. Currently, she is the “Nutrition and Internal Communication” manager within Nestlé Romania, Bulgaria and the Adriatic Countries, where she is responsible for the internal coordination of two school nutrition projects (in partnership with the founding NGOs) that have reached over 400,000 children in Romania. Nicoleta also coordinated the development and launch of NutriPortia and VeggiePortia in 4 countries (Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria and Croatia), two guidelines for balanced family meals that in Romania alone reached more than 2 million parents through communication campaigns.

George Vrapcea, MS, RD. The “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology in Târgu Mureș (Romania)

George Vrapcea is a licensed dietitian recently appointed in a faculty position at the “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology in Târgu Mureș. He graduated from the “Nutrition and Dietetics” undergraduate program, the “Clinical and Community Nutrition” master’s degree and the “Medico-Pharmaceutical Advanced Scientific Research” master’s degree in Târgu Mureș. He has experience in web development and design, skills that have been the basis for creating an online platform used by dietitians. During the years of study, he presented and published many scientific works in the field of nutrition, obtaining the 1st prize at the International Congress for Students, Young Doctors and Pharmacists “Marisiensis” in 2022 and the 3rd prize in 2023.

Dan Vodnar, MS, PhD. President of the Senate and professor, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca (Romania)

Dan Vodnar has been mostly involved within the fields of fermentation, immobilization of different strains using methods which are able to provide information about strains metabolites into different conditions. The research activity conducted so far resulted in the publication of a total of 161 scientific articles in representative ISI journals in the field, with a Hirsh index of 26 according to the web of science (approx. 2100 citations). More, the project leader received international recognition being awarded in 2014 with “Danubius Young Scientist Award” Vienna, Austria, for his international visibility and scientific achievements. In 2015 Dan Vodnar has been selected as semifinalist at the European Social Innovation Competition (30 semifinalists from 1408 application across Europe). Dan Vodnar is experienced in managing National projects (principal investigator of 4 innovation projects PNII and one Partnership Project PNII) and two academic grants (fermentative bioconversion, microencapsulation), one international project (JPI), scientific manager of the POC project. Dan Vodnar (http://danvodnar.objectis.net/) is the main author of 5 patents awarded with 7 Gold Medals and one bronze Medal at International Exposition of Inventors Proinvent 2013-2016. In 2014 he has been nominated in Top 100 “Romanians peoples”- Foreign Policy România for research activities. In 2015 he was awarded Technology and Innovation Award, by Aspen Institute Romania and also awarded the excellence diploma at “Young Researchers in Science and Technology competition. Professor Vodnar was awarded Gold Medal at the International Exhibition of Invention, Geneva, in 2017. In 2018, professor Dan Vodnar was nominated as one of the “Ten Outstanding Young Persons” from Romania.