Full Professor at the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT), with over 25 years of experience in postharvest technology, fresh-cut processing, and preservation of fruits and vegetables. She completed postdoctoral research in the USA and New Zealand, and focuses on preserving bioactive compounds and valorizing agri-food biowaste under circular economy principles. Author of over 100 scientific articles, 10 patents, and supervisor of 13 PhD theses. She has led numerous research projects and industry collaborations, and currently coordinates the PRIMA FUSION project, developing innovative preservation solutions and digital tools for the Mediterranean agri-food sector. More information
Contact: encarna.aguayo@upct.es
PhD, Bioengineer
Core-Facility Head Manager at the Institute of Plant Biotechnology (IBV), UPCT, for the past 20 years. Specialized in postharvest physiology and technology of fruits and vegetables, she has been active in R&D projects since 1994, contributing to the improvement of systems and processes. She also provides training and technical support to equipment users and technicians. Since 2019, she has been a member of the UPCT Research Ethics Committee and the IBV Biological Safety Committee.
Contact: perla.gomez@upct.es
PhD in Economic and Business Sciences from the University of Valencia. Associate Professor at the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT) since 2000, specializing in Fundamentals of Economic Analysis. Her research focuses on time series and applied data analysis, with publications in econometrics, macroeconomics, monetary economics, and the economics of education. She has participated in various national and regional research projects. From 2015 to 2018, she directed the Economic Situation Studies Unit, and since 2019, she has led the UPCT Chair in Economic Situation Studies, contributing to reports on the Cartagena region’s economy.
Contact: rosa.badillo@upct.es
PhD in Food Technology, Nutrition and Bromatology from the University of Murcia. Her research focuses on water reuse in the agri-food industry and the recovery of high-value by-products. She has broad experience in the analysis of organic and inorganic compounds, especially bioactive compounds like polyphenols, and in the development of plant-based nutritional supplements for disease prevention. Currently, she works at the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT) as part of the coordinating team of the PRIMA FUSION Project.
Contact: sofia.albolafio@upct.es
International PhD in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.
Researcher with over 10 years of experience in multidisciplinary R&D focused on food and nutrition. Recognized expertise demonstrated by a patent and publications in high-impact scientific journals, notably for the development of a complex nanoencapsulation technology that improves product quality and prolongs freshness. Expertise in encapsulating bioactive compounds, analyzing food quality and contaminants, and assessing shelf life and spoilage in perishable products to reduce food loss and improve supply chain efficiency.
Contact: amanda.lopez@upct.es
ARC Principal Researcher is coordinating the FUSION project activities in Egypt. His responsibilities include leading the development of the national action plan, Training content development, Information collection across in 17 partners of 8 countries and Coating treatment experiments in Egypt.
Contact: a_hattem@yahoo.com
Researcher at the Plant Protection Research Institute, Vegetable Pests Department, specializing in plant protection with a primary focus on applied and theoretical research aimed at reducing yield and quality losses in vegetable crops, as well as medicinal, aromatic, and ornamental plants, caused by insect infestations and Utilizes technologies to enhance vegetable crop production and improve plant resistance to insect infestations.
Contact: magda.hashim@gmail.com
Agricultural engineer with extensive expertise in pre- and post-harvest treatment strategies for vegetable crops, focusing on optimizing crop quality, extending shelf life, and minimizing post-harvest losses through integrated and sustainable approaches.
Contact: ahmed.w.binsb@gmail.com
Prof. Dr. at the Plant Protection Research Institute, Vegetable Pests Department, Trainer in vegetable crop production with extensive experience and a solid background in conducting and completing multiple Training of Trainers (TOT) programs, specializing in the phytosanitary management, and protection of vegetable crops for reducing food loss and weast.
Contact: dr.jimy.hassan@gmail.com
Head research in Horticulture Research Institute. ARC.
Works focus in estimate post-harvest yield and quality losses of vegetable crops on farms and in wholesale and retail markets Determine the suitable time for harvest of locally produced or imported vegetable varieties and hybrids. Use various natural treatments, such as plant extracts, natural oils, modified atmosphere, and hot water treatments, to maintain the quality of vegetable crops during storage.
Contact: manal.attia68@yahoo.com
Professor of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Lebanese University and Vice president of Consumers-Lebanon.
Seasoned academic and expert in food safety, water quality, consumer protection, and environmental and agricultural sciences. She holds a PhD in Agricultural Sciences with a specialization in Geosciences (Water Quality) from Université de Lorraine – Nancy, France. Currently, she serves as a professor at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and the Faculty of Information at the Lebanese University, and as a lecturer at national vocational institutions in the field of food safety and health inspection.
Contact: nadanehme530@hotmail.com
Principal Researcher at FORTH/ICE-HT, Dr. Christos Aggelopoulos is an expert in plasma processes for environmental applications, including water and wastewater treatment, soil remediation, and food disinfection. He leads the PlaNET Lab, developing advanced cold plasma reactors from lab to pilot scale. His research focuses on the degradation of persistent pollutants such as PFAS, pharmaceuticals, and pathogens in complex matrices.
Contact: caggelop@iceht.forth.gr
PhD in Sciences from the University of Zaragoza, with prior degrees in Biological Sciences (Navarra University) and Plant Breeding (Wageningen University). She began her research at CITA-Aragón (1996–2011), including stays at Cornell University and work as both postdoctoral and senior researcher. Since 2011, she has worked at the seed company Ramiro Arnedo S.A., first as a pepper breeder and now as Head of R&D. She has led or participated in numerous plant breeding projects (INIA, CDTI, RETOS), focusing on horticultural crops such as pepper, eggplant, melon, tomato, and beans.
Contact: marnedo@ramiroarnedo.com
PhD in Agricultural Engineering with over 20 years of experience in rural development and the environmental sector. She currently leads R&D projects in horticultural plant breeding and has developed technologies in agriculture, livestock, waste recycling, bioenergy, and land restoration. Her work includes research on conservation, climate change, and risk assessment in collaboration with national and international partners. She has coordinated R&D projects with public and private sectors and served as consultant to institutions such as the Spanish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Corfo-Chile, and the European Commission.
Contact: proyectos@ramiroarnedo.com
PhD in plant ecology and systematic, is President of the Association Green Development and Innovation. His research focuses on sustainable development, agroecology, bioeconomy, plant adaptation to climate change in the Mediterranean region and and integrated management of natural and agricultural resources. He has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles and serves on editorial boards and as a reviewer for several international journals.
Contact : green.deve.inn@gmail.com
MSc in plant protection and biotechnology, is an Assistant Researcher at GDI. Her work is focusing on agroforestry and adaptation to climate change. She leads an active research program dedicated to designing and implementing ‘green’ practices that enhance crop quality while promoting environmental stewardship.
Contact: sara_najjari@hotmail.fr
Associate Professor of Biological Systems Engineering with more than 20 years’ experience in research and development within the agriculture and water sectors in Jordan. His focus is on sustainability of agriculture systems, conservation of water, energy and the environment. He has been leading efforts to amplify agrotechnology transfer to Jordan and the uptake of agrotechnology by Jordanian farmers.
Contact: samer.talozi@mirra-jo.org
Principal Investigator, is coordinating the FUSION project activities in Egypt. His responsibilities include leading the development of the national action plan, identifying good practices, and organizing training activities.
Contact: reda.hasaan@eaea.org.eg
He is an expert in Phytosanitary measures and disinfestation treatments, contributing his technical expertise to the development and application of innovative solutions.
Contact: waheed.sayed@eaea.org.eg
She is a microbiologist specializing in the exploitation of a wide spectrum of microorganisms as biocontrol agents (BCAs) for combating postharvest pathogens. Her work supports sustainable and eco-friendly strategies to reduce postharvest losses.
Contact: hebashawky228@gmail.com
He is an Associate Professor specializing in experimental plasma and its applications at EAEA. His research interests focus on the implementation of high-voltage engineering, particularly in relation to plasma systems and fusion reactors.
Contact: kamal_hagag@yahoo.com
A physicist, specializes in high-energy pulsed plasma, electric plasma propulsion, and their scientific and industrial applications.
Contact: abdallah.barakat18@feng.bu.edu.eg
He is a specialist in plant production and breeding. He serves as a lead trainer in promoting best practices within the FUSION Project.
Nexus Development Office.
Energy engineer dedicated to the Water-Food-Energy Nexus at ICU, working on the deployment of green solutions in Mediterranean countries.
Nexus Senior Expert.
Technical manager within the project, with over 40 years of experience at ENEA (the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development). Working as advisor for ICU at regional and local level for the Water-Food-Energy Nexus.
