IOBC WPRS WUR 2023
IOBC WPRS WUR 2023

Keynote speakers

 

We are proud to announce that the following keynote speakers have already confirmed: 

 

Wagner Bettiol - Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA)

About
Wagner Bettiol is an agronomist and Ph.D. from the University of São Paulo, with postdoctoral studies in plant pathology in Italy (Torino) and Spain (Salamanca). Today, he is a researcher at Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária - Embrapa. His work mainly focuses on biological and alternative control of plant diseases, as well as soil borne diseases suppression with organic matter. Wagner expects that biological control can eliminate the use of chemical pesticides if we want and believe in it, but in combination with resistant plants and integrated pest management. He forecasts a promising future thanks to new tools that are being developed, such as the possibilities offered by the manipulation of the microbiome or the entry of prebiotic products and consortiums of microorganisms into the markets. For more information, click here. 
 
Topic
With more than 50 million hectares using some form of biological crop control mechanism, Brazil has positioned itself among the countries with the highest use of bio inputs in the world. In the presentation, it will be discussed how Brazil turned into the largest biocontrol market in the world. 

Tomislav Cernava - University of Southampton

 
 
 
 
 
 
About
Tomislav’s research focuses on the plant microbiome and identifying beneficial components within it. In particular, disease-preventing microorganisms, recently termed "soterobionts", have a high potential for integration into biocontrol strategies. So far, he has published more than 100 papers in peer-reviewed journals. For more information: https://scholar.google.at/citations?user=W7KbJQUAAAAJ&hl=de&oi=ao
 
Topic
New insights into disease prevention and disease reduction by members of the plant microbiota will be provided. In addition, examples will be provided on how microbiome research can be utilized to support the development and application of biocontrol agents.

Haïssam Jijakli - University of Liège

About
Professor and Responsible of Integrated and Urban Plant Pathology Laboratory (University of Liège), Haïssam Jijakli is developing since 1991 biocontrol methods based on micro-organisms to protect plants against fungal pathogens (e.a. Candida oleophila strain O registered at EU and US) and on plants and their derivatives (e.a. bioherbicides based on essential oils). Working also in urban agriculture for 12 years, he has created the Research Centre in Urban Agriculture which develops and studies soil and soilless production systems for urban communities and professionals (market gardening, agroforestry, indoor vertical production, aquaponics systems, rooftop greenhouses). Since the beginning of his career, he participated or coordinated more than 80 projects in Belgium and abroad (e.a. 10 European projects). He has to his credit more than 120 refereed articles, 10 patents, 4 spin-offs.
 
Topic

Aquaponics as future urban food production systems: phytopathological challenges and opportunities thanks to aquaponic microbiota characterization and original biocontrol agent isolation.

Jennifer Lewis - International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association (IBMA) 

About
Jennifer Lewis was appointed as International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association (IBMA) Executive Director in 2019.
The International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association is the voice of the Biocontrol technologies industry. It represents and promotes all its members. Via proportionate regulation, it brings green innovative and effective technologies for sustainable agriculture to the market.  This allows farmers to grow healthy, productive and profitable crops.
Also, IBMA provides a platform for its members to express and share their views to further shape one common positioning towards institutional actors, policy makers, media and the public. All activities aim at showing that biocontrol technologies are already a reality in agriculture and horticulture, and intensifying their use. For more information, click here.
 
Topic
The presentation will provide a view of the biocontrol industry on the future of biocontrol business and its contributions to crop health in future cropping systems.

Alejandro Ortega-Beltran - International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) 

 
About
Alejandro has been tied with international agricultural research-for-development for over two decades, first as a maize field worker in Obregón, Sonora, México, then as a doctoral student at the University of Arizona, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California – Davis, and now as a senior plant pathologist at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, Nigeria. He is key to the success of several multinational projects delivering solutions centered on bioprotectants for unseen contaminants, even more dangerous because they do not reduce yield, nor typically affect market prices in emerging and developing countries. Information about his research and delivery work can be found at:
 
Topic
Aflatoxin biocontrol in practice requires a multidisciplinary, long-term approach
The presentation will summarize efforts by the Aflasafe Initiative to develop aflatoxin biocontrol products, register them with regulatory authorities and transfer manufacturing and distribution responsibilities to private and/or public sector entities, stimulate their adoption by smallholder farmers, and challenges and opportunities in several African countries.

Anne Steenbergh - Dutch Board for Authorisation of Plant Protection Products and Biocides (Ctgb)

About
Anne Steenbergh is policy officer at the Dutch board for the authorization of plant protection products and biocides (Ctgb). The Ctgb is one of the larger competent authorities in Europe. With its Green Team, the Ctgb has specialized in the assessment of ‘green’ products and micro-organisms and it is closely involved with the European Biopesticides Working Group. For more information, click here. 
 
Topic
The presentation will give an update on the EU regulations regarding approval of active substances and authorization of use of microbial plant protection products. From regulations to implementation, via data requirements and guidance documents: how new developments in biocontrol can or cannot be handled by the regulations.

Hannah van Zanten - Wageningen University & Research

 
About

Hannah van Zanten is interim chair holder at the Wageningen University Farming Systems Ecology group and visiting professor in the Department of Global Development at Cornell University. It is her ambition to unravel how circular food systems can contribute to producing healthy foods for a growing population within the carrying capacity of the Earth.

Topic 

The potential of circular European food system.

More speakers to be announced soon!