Full Professor IDAEA-CSIC, Spain. Since 2008 Director. Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA). Girona, Spain. 2016 – 2020 Full Professor Chair in Biology. College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Distinguished Scientist Fellowship Program (DSFP). Doctor Honoris Causa by the Universities of Ioannina, Greece, in 2014 and by the University of Lleida and Almeria , Spain in 2020, Honorary and Guest Professor at Zhejiang A & F University (ZAFU), Hangzhou, China in 2019 and since January 2021 Talent Professor at ZAFU , Recipharm Environmental Award, Sweden in 2012 , Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water (PSIPW), 5th Award on Water Management & Protection, Saudi Arabia in 2012 and the Prize King Jaime I on the Protection of Nature from Generalitat of Valencia, Spain in 2007. SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS, 1992 – to date > 63 PhD thesis supervised, mainly in Spain except two in Lisbon and in Amsterdam and one in Riyadh.,1992 – 2020. EXPERTISE :Analysis, fate , risk and removal of emerging contaminants and microplastics from water, Sewage epidemiology of drugs and proteins. Since 2010 I am listed as highly cited scientists (ISI Highly Cited), , with a Hirsch-Index of 152 (121) and total number of citations over 107.000 thousand (> 70 k) and more than 1400 publications (source Google Scholar on the 07/12/2020, Scopus in parenthesis). EDITORIAL ACTIVITIES. Since 1990s, contributing editor of Trends in Analytical Chemistry (TrAC) and editor of three book series (Comprehensive Analytical Chemistry , The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry and Advances In Chemical Pollution, Environmental Management and Protection). Since 2012 Co-Editor-in-chief of the Science of the Total Environment , since 2017 Editor in chief of Current Opinion in Environmental Science and Health. and since 2020 Co-Editor in Chief of Case Studies of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Elsevier.

Dr. Scannell is a Microbiologist and Food Technologist focused on improving food safety and sensory performance through multidisciplinary research. Her work explores how novel processing techniques, ingredients, and product development affect microbial safety and consumer acceptance, using both traditional microbiological methods and next-generation sequencing. Collaborating with institutions such as Teagasc, Technical University Dublin, and DCU, Dr. Scannell has optimized processing techniques for beverages and meat products. Her research investigates how technologies like plasma and acoustic processing impact microbes at a cellular level, with findings that guide policymakers on effective processing standards for food safety. In addition to her research, Dr. Scannell has secured significant grant funding from bodies like The Department of Agriculture, Enterprise Ireland, and Science Foundation Ireland. She actively mentors MSc and PhD students, supporting the next generation of food scientists, and contributes to the UCD Online Taught Masters in Food and Nutrition. Her innovative work advances both food safety and consumer-led product development.

Dr. Zhihui Yang, M.D., M.S., isa Biologist at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), specializing in foodborne virology, molecular biology, and medical science. With over 20 years of research experience in both federal government and academic settings, Dr. Yang's expertise centers on the development and application of advanced genomic and metagenomic technologies, including next-generation and third-generation sequencing for foodborne virus study. Her work is primarily focused on detecting, identifying, and genotyping significant foodborne viruses, as well as emerging viral species in food, clinical, and environmental specimens.Dr. Yang has served as a reviewer for numerous scientific journals and has been honored with multiple awards for her outstanding research achievements andcontributions at the agency. She leads the center’s Enteric Virus Sequence Program, which aims to enhance food and water safety through the development of novel sequencing methodologies for virus detection and analysis. Under her leadership, the program has established national and international collaborations and developed the ViroTrakr database which aids in virus pathogen identification, virus surveillance, and support of foodborne outbreak investigations.

Dr.Piergiovanni is a senior researcher inInstitute Biosciences Bioresources of National Research Council (CNR-IBBR) of Bari (Italy). Fellow of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA, Nigeria) from 1988-to 1990. 30 years of experience in the research field of biochemical variation within segments of gemplasm collections of Mediterranean crop species; evaluations of seed nutritional quality of landraces, populations and cultivars of pulses and minor cereal species; analysis of protein fractions by using electrophoretic techniques (CE, SDS-PAGE and PAGE).Teaching activity: CE-Day (2004)organised by European Research Center for Drug Discovery and Development, University of Siena (Italy); specialist course on "Traceability and safety of plant products" (2008), organised by the University of Teramo (Italy); training course for high school teachers (2023-2024).Technical and scientific training of: thesis co-adviser of master students in Biology;supervisor ofItalian fellowship students and post-graduate students; visitors at CNR-IBBR. Member of:Italian Chemistry Society; AccademiadelleScienzedellaBiodiversitàMediterranea (Academy of Science of Mediterranean Biodiversity);Hulled wheat genetic resources Network; partner of Phaseomic Consortium; ECPGR European Evaluation Network (EVA) on grain legume (ForEVA). Several collaborations with international research institutes (IITA, IPGRI, IPK) and with several Italian Universities (Bari, Basilicata, Florence, Salerno)in the frame of International ((LEGU-MED PRIMA project) and Italian projects as a Principal Investigator and researcher. Dr.Piergiovanniis serving as guest editor of one special issue published by MDPI and as review for several international journals with IF. She is author of more than 250 scientific contributions, the 60% of which are papers published in international journals.

Daniela Lorena Lamas holds a Ph.D. in FoodScience and Technologyfromthe Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Sheiscurrentlyanassociateresearcher at CONICET, in theTechnology, Valorisation and Innovation of FisheryProductsProgramme at theNationalInstituteforFisheriesResearch and Development in Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Herresearchactivitiesfocusontheapplication of greentechnologiesfortheextraction and refining of oilsrich in omega-3 polyunsaturatedfattyacidsfromfisherywaste and discards, with a triple-impactapproach. She has experience in extractionmethodssuch as hydrolysis, pressing, solventextraction, ultrasound and supercriticalfluids, and oilrefiningwithcommercialenzymes. In thesame line, sheworksontheextraction of biocompoundsfromfishby-products, includingcollagen, bioactivepeptides, minerals and biopolymersforapplications in food and polymer matrices. Othercollaborationsincludethedevelopment of snack and bakeryproductsusing vegetable beveragewaste, microalgae and brewer'sbagasse. He has experience in thecharacterization and fortificationwithprobiotics of differentfood matrices, and shelflifestudies. She has vastteachingexperience in thechemistry and thefoodindustryarea, and currentlyshehas a closerelationshipwiththeindustry, carryingoutoilrefining, extraction and omega-3 enrichmentdevelopment Ontheotherhand, he has carriedoutresearchstays in theDepartment of ChemicalEngineering of theFaculty of Sciences of theUniversity of Granada, Spain and in theDepartment of Biotechnology of theUniversity of Burgos, Spain.

Veterinarian and Zootecnista by the Autonomous Metropolitan University Xochimilco Unit (UAM-X), CDMX. Postgraduate Master's Degree in Reproductive Biology from the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Iztapalapa Unit; Doctorate in Animal Reproduction by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Complutense University of Madrid, Spain; Master in Environmental Education by the Institute of Ecological Research of Malaga, Spain; As well as several Diplomas in Teaching, Science and Technology and Scientific Research Methodology. It is a desirable PROMEP profile and is member of the National System of Researchers (SNI). He has more than 30 years of experience in Teaching, Research and Dissemination of Culture. He has published more than 300 Scientific and Dissemination Articles at international and national level; Has presented countless conferences and scientific papers in international and national congresses. He has published several books related to the Veterinary Sciences. He is a referee in international and national scientific journals. He has directed several undergraduate and postgraduate theses. Has been certified in Reproductive Clinic of Bovines and Pigs by the National Council of Veterinary Education (CONEVET). It is a small pig producer in the Municipality of Cárdenas, Tabasco. It belongs to several associations related to the Veterinary Sciences. He has been a full time professor in the Academic Division of Agricultural Sciences (DACA) of the Autonomous Juárez University of Tabasco (UJAT), Mexico, teaching the subjects of Lactation Physiology; Specialized Animal Reproduction; Behavior, management and Animal Welfare; Pharmacology and Veterinary Toxicology and Cattle Clinic, during the time he worked at DACA-UJAT he teamed with several professors from that institution. He is currently a full-time Professor and Researcher in the Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science Department of the Department of Agricultural and Animal Production of the UAM-X at CDMX, where he is the owner of the Module "Management of Reproductive and Genetic Efficiency". He likes to work with animals.

Ana Sanches-Silva is a researcher at the National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research (INIAV), Vila do Conde, Portugal. She obtained the degree in Pharmacy by the University of Coimbra, Portugal, and received her European Ph.D. in Pharmacy from the University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain, with honours. In addition, she was awarded with the prize for best doctorate student. After two years post-doc at this university through competitive programs, she joined the department of Food and Nutrition of the INSA through the post-doc grant funded by FCT and later through the prestigious national program of human resources ‘Science 2007’. Ana Sanches-Silva has a remarkable track record (over 80 scientific contributions in peer- reviewed journals or book chapters, H index of 17). Her research interests are focused on the evaluation of safety and composition of food and food packaging. Moreover, her special interest is the determination of bioactive compounds in food matrices and food supplements, development of active packaging, study of food-packaging interactions, especially the migration from packaging to food, and development of analytical methodologies for the analysis of food contaminants and bioactive components.

I am currently a lecturer at the School of Geo- and Spatial Sciences, Geology department based at the North-West University, South Africa. Additionally, I am currently enrolled as a part-time Ph.D. student at the North-West University. I have completed a Magister of Scientiae (M.Sc.) degree for Environmental Sciences at the North-West University, Potchefstroom, cum laude. Furthermore, I have completed an Honours Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Management and a Bachelor of Science degree with majors in Environmental Geology, Soil Science, and Chemistry. Currently, I am continuing my studies for a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science (Plant Science Stream) through the University of South Africa. I am privileged to be part of the ongoing "Rock powders: Innovative Fertilizer for Farmers and Enhanced Weathering in South Africa” project in collaboration with Remineralize the Earth (USA), Future Forest Company (UK), University of Brasilia, and the University of Newcastle. This project aims to determine the efficacy of remineralization on farmer productivity, crop nutrient density, carbon sequestration, and overall soil health. An extensive analysis is undertaken to identify knowledge gaps of local farmers and formulate recommendations for future remineralization for consideration by local governments and national policy-making. Strategic protocol for demonstration farms and technology transfer will be developed for future large-scale projects. Academically and professionally, I am interested in soil science, environmental geology, agriculture, environmental rehabilitation, and chemistry. I relish the fieldwork and research elements within each of these domains, as well as imparting the knowledge I have accumulated to students as a lecturer. In addition, I have been privileged to broaden the inside of my fields of interest by participating and presenting at local and international conferences and contributing to academic journals.

Dr. Xu is a Chair Professor in Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College (UIC, a full English teaching college in China), Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry,Zhuhai Scholar Distinguished Professor, Department Head of Department of Life Sciences, Program Director of Food Science and Technology Program, author of over 350peer-reviewed papers. Dr. Xu received Ph.D. in Food Science from Chungnam National University, South Korea. He conducted postdoctoral research work in North Dakota State University (NDSU), Purdue University, and Gerald P. Murphy Cancer Foundation in USA during 2005-2009. He did short-term visiting research in NDSU in 2012, and University Georgia in 2014, and followed by visiting research during his sabbatical leave (7 months) in Pennsylvania State University in USA in 2016. Dr. Xu is serving as Associate Editor-in-Chief of Food Science and Human Wellness,Associate Editor of Food Research International, Associate Editor of Food Frontiers,and the editorial board member of around 10 international journals. He received inaugural President’s Award for Outstanding Research of UIC in 2016, President’s Award for Outstanding Service of UIC in 2020. Dr. Xuhas beenlisted in the world's top 2% scientists by Stanford University in 2020,2021, 2022, and 2023, and has been listed in the Best Scientist in the world in the field of Biology and Biochemistry at Research.com in 2023 and 2024.Prof. Xu was named an inaugural Highly Ranked Scholar (top 0.05%) by ScholarGPSTM, ranked at #8 in Food Science and Technology in the world (#2 in China), and ranked at #14 Agricultural and Natural Sciences (#2 in China).

Prof. El Sheikha specializes in Molecular Biology, Traceability, Food Safety, and more. PhD in "Biotechnology-Microbiology", University Montpellier 2, France, 2010. All academic degrees are equivalent to their counterparts in Canada. Two post-docs [CIRAD, France (2011); Halal Products Research Institute, Malaysia (2012-2013)]. 24 years of experience in the research field as a Principal Investigator, Deputy Leader, Coordinator, and Researcher in several international projects (e.g., Canadian Project “NSERC CRD-474638-14”; European Projects “EDES”, “FSP 2006-43”, Innovkar “No. INCO-CT-032037”, Trace and HEEPF “Higher Education Enhancement Project Fund” 2004-2006). 18 years of experience in higher education as a Professor, Assistant Professor, Lecturer, Assistant Lecturer, and Assistant in many countries worldwide. Also, supervisor of Academic Programs "BSc, MSc, PhD". Recently, Prof. El Sheikha visited the University of Ottawa (uOttawa) in Canada as a Visiting Professor to establish scientific cooperation between the University of Ottawa (uOttawa) and Jiangxi Agricultural University (JXAU).

Hunter is a researcher and university professor, with degrees in Biological Sciences and Physical Education. He completed his master's and doctoral degrees in Physical Education at Universidade São Judas Tadeu (SP/Brazil). His research focuses on the effects of physical exercise and nutrition in the prevention of chronic diseases. He has international experience, having completed a sandwich doctorate at the Mountain Research Center of the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança and the Interdisciplinary Center for Marine and Environmental Research at the University of Porto, both in Portugal, where he continues to maintain ties. He has participated in projects related to nutrition and health. His research covers cardiovascular health and the nutritional potential of Agaricus blazei mushrooms, collaborating in interdisciplinary research with an emphasis on nutritional biotechnology and physical exercise.

My name is Iván Díaz Cuadrado, I am 38 years old and I was born in Barcelona. I completed my medical training at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, including an 18-month period at the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Subsequently, I specialized as a general and digestive surgeon at the Mutua Terrassa University Hospital in Terrassa, Barcelona. I completed a placement at the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, Netherlands, to receive training at a leading center in gastric and esophageal surgery. In our unit, we have collaborated with Dr. Carme Balaguer and Dr. Joaquin Rodriguez on research concerning the association between steatohepatitis and Helicobacter Pylori in obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery (Gastric Bypass and Gastric sleeve). We are currently engaged in another study exploring the potential causes of steatohepatitis and hepatic fibrosis.