Full Professor and researcher at the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT), with over 25 years of experience in postharvest technology, fresh-cut processing, and emerging preservation technologies for fruits and vegetables. She completed postdoctoral research at the University of California, Davis (USA) and Plant & Food Research (New Zealand). Her work focuses on preserving bioactive compounds, regulating physiological metabolism, and valorizing agri-food biowaste under circular economy principles. She has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles, supervised 13 PhD theses, holds 10 patents, and participated in more than 30 competitive research projects and 25+ R&D contracts with industry.
She coordinates the PRIMA FUSION project, leading the development of innovative solutions such as antimicrobial coatings, dehydrated snacks, healthy purées, and shelf-life prediction tools, as well as digital traceability, training, and technological adaptation in Mediterranean countries. 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
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
She obtained a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences at Navarra University in 1994. Later, a MSc in Plant Breeding at Wageningen University in 1996 and PhD in Sciences at Zaragoza University in 2001. She was an FPI predoctoral student (1996-2000) at CITA- Zaragoza and she made two foreign stays at Cornell University (Plant Breeding Dept) in 1997 and 1998. Since 2002 she obtained a INIA post-doctoral contract at CITA-Aragon at Plant Breeding Department until 2007 when she obtained a position as agronomy researcher at Plant Breeding Department at CITA-Aragon, until 2011. Later, she moved to work at a private seed company, Ramiro Arnedo S.A. First as pepper indoor breeder and since 2016 as research and development responsible at the company.
Contact: marnedo@ramiroarnedo.com
PhD. Agricultural Engineer, more than 20 years of professional experience in Rural Development and Environmental sector. Currently, she is carrying out R&D projects focused on horticultural plant breeding. She has designed, implemented and transferred new technologies in the agricultural and livestock sectors, production systems, waste recycling, bioenergy and soil and landscape reclamation. Additionally, she has a large experience researching conservation and rural development, climate change, pollution and risk assessments in collaboration with national and international consortiums. She has carried out specialized researchers at Columbus University – USA.
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.
