Meet Our Esteemed Keynote Speakers

Prof. Dr. Anant Patel is a Research Professor of Process Engineering at Hochschule Bielefeld – University of Applied Sciences and Arts, where he has been a faculty member since 2009. In 2021, he was appointed Vice President for Research, Development, and Transfer, reflecting his leadership in promoting applied innovation and academic collaboration.

He earned his Ph.D. (Dr.-Ing.) from Technische Universität Braunschweig, where his doctoral research focused on encapsulation processes for biological control agents and the construction of artificial seeds. His current research interests include bioprocessing, formulation technology, and fermentation, with a strong emphasis on developing sustainable and scalable solutions in the fields of biologicals and chemicals.

Prof. Patel has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and plays an active role in interdisciplinary research projects that bridge science and industry. He is a member of several professional organizations, including the German Chemical Society (GDCh) and the Bioencapsulation Research Group (BRG), where he contributes to the advancement of microencapsulation and process engineering technologies.

🔗Anant Patel - PEVZ - Bielefeld University

Dr. Marijana Dragosavac is a Reader in Chemical Engineering at Loughborough University, UK. Her work lies at the interface of chemical engineering, particle design, and sustainable processing, with a particular focus on advanced encapsulation and delivery technologies for bioactives.

Her expertise in advanced particle manufacturing includes the precise control of particle size, internal structure, and surface properties to achieve tailored functionality. With a strong emphasis on sustainable and continuous processing, her research supports innovation across multiple sectors, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and food and drink. These efforts contribute to addressing global health and well-being challenges in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Dr. Dragosavac previously served as Chief Scientific Officer at Micropore Technologies Ltd, where she played a key role in translating encapsulation technologies into industrial applications. She now continues to support industry through consultancy, helping companies develop scalable, sustainable solutions for complex formulation challenges.

She has led major UKRI-funded initiatives and has been instrumental in organising international bioencapsulation training events, including the 11^th training school hosted at Loughborough.

Her keynote will explore cutting-edge developments in eco-friendly encapsulation platforms, highlighting the potential of biopolymeric carriers to enhance microbial stability, delivery, and performance in sustainable agriculture.

🔗 Loughborough University Profile
🔗 Micropore Technologies

Dr. hab. inż. Urszula Bazylińska is an Associate Professor at the Wrocław University of Science and Technology, in the Department of Physical and Quantum Chemistry. Her research focuses on colloidal and nanostructured systems—including nanoemulsions, specialty liposomes, and lyotropic liquid-crystalline nanoparticles such as cubosomes and hexosomes—designed for the encapsulation and targeted delivery of bioactive compounds, with a strong emphasis on cancer therapy and theranostics.

Integrating concepts from physical chemistry, materials science, biomedical engineering, and pharmaceutical technology, she develops advanced, multifunctional drug delivery platforms tailored for improved therapeutic efficiency. Dr. Bazylińska has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and actively contributes to interdisciplinary collaborations. She is also deeply involved in mentoring students and bridging the gap between fundamental science and clinical applications.

🔗https://huckel.pl/people/urszula-bazylinska/

Dr. Volkert de Villeneuve is the founder and lead consultant at Lysning Innovation Consultants, a firm specializing in scent technology and microencapsulation solutions. He earned his Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Utrecht University and has over 15 years of experience in product and technology development. Dr. de Villeneuve has held global technical roles at Unilever and International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), with broad expertise in fragrance delivery systems for fabric, home, and personal care products as well as fine fragrances.

At IFF, Dr. de Villeneuve led an encapsulation development team and delivered multiple innovative fragrance release technologies. He spearheaded the creation of a globally successful fragrance formulation model and significantly enhanced product analysis through advanced analytical tools and data-driven methodologies. An accomplished innovator, he is also a co-inventor of several patented microencapsulation technologies, reflecting his significant contributions to the field.

Now heading Lysning, Dr. de Villeneuve focuses on sustainable encapsulation technologies, specifically the development of biodegradable fragrance microcapsules that provide long-lasting scent release while minimizing environmental impact. His work combines technical innovation with eco-conscious design, aligning scientific advancement with real-world applications. He also engages in interdisciplinary collaboration to integrate scientific, analytical, regulatory, and commercial insights into sustainable product development.

🔗 Official Website

Dr. Christos Soukoulis is a Senior Lead Research & Technology Associate at the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), working within the Environmental and Industrial Biotechnologies Unit of the Environmental Research and Innovation Department. He holds a Ph.D. in Food Science and Technology and brings extensive expertise in the valorization of plant-based ingredients and the design of colloidal systems for applications in functional foods and health-related technologies.

His research focuses on the development of colloidal and structured delivery systems—such as emulsions, hydrogels, and nano/microparticles—for the encapsulation, stabilization, and controlled release of bioactive compounds. These systems are designed to enhance the technological functionality and bioefficacy of ingredients in both food and biomedical contexts.

Dr. Soukoulis has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and leads interdisciplinary research initiatives aimed at bridging fundamental science with industrial innovation. His work supports the advancement of sustainable bio-based technologies, particularly in the fields of functional foods, nutrient delivery, and bioprocessing.

🔗Team | Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology

Prof. Paul Van der Meeren is a Professor at Ghent University and the founder of the Particle and Interfacial Technology (PaInT) research group within the Department of Green Chemistry and Technology. With a background in physical and colloid chemistry, his work focuses on the formulation, characterization, and stabilization of disperse systems, including (multiple) emulsions, nanosuspensions, and liposomal dispersions.

His research aims to understand the interfacial and colloidal phenomena that govern the behavior of complex multiphase systems, with a strong emphasis on interfacial rheology, electrokinetics, and encapsulation technologies. He has played a pioneering role in linking fundamental surface and interface science with practical applications in food engineering, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and environmental science.

Prof. Van der Meeren has a distinguished academic record, having authored or co-authored over 250 peer-reviewed publications, contributed to numerous international research collaborations, and supervised many PhD theses. He has been actively involved in various EU-funded and industrial projects, focusing on novel encapsulation approaches, release control, and formulation design.

Beyond his scientific output, he has also held faculty leadership roles and contributed to educational innovation and interdisciplinary research platforms at Ghent University. Through his work, he continues to advance the scientific understanding of colloidal delivery systems and their practical translation into functional and sustainable encapsulation technologies.

🔗 https://www.ugent.be/bw/gct/en/research/paint/staff/professors/paulvandermeeren.htm

Dr. Coraline Sergent is a Research Engineer in Biotechnology at the Centre d’Études et de Recherches des Eaux et de l’Environnement (CeREEF), part of the Haute École Louvain en Hainaut (HELHa) in Belgium. She joined CeREEF in 2021 and currently leads several applied research projects focused on sustainable and bio-based technologies.​

Her research integrates environmental biotechnology, resource recovery, and the development of natural biomaterials for environmental and biomedical applications. She coordinates the WIN2WAL MEDIMIEL project, which explores the encapsulation of honey into microbeads for use in woundcare, taking advantage of honey’s natural antimicrobial and healing properties.​

In her keynote lecture, Dr. Sergent will present recent developments in honey microencapsulation, focusing on formulation techniques, material behavior, and the controlled delivery of active compounds. Her work highlights the potential of eco-friendly, multifunctional matrices in targeted biomedical applications.

🔗https://ceref.helha.be/technique/equipe/coraline-sergent/