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Michiel van Erkel is the Regional LVVN Counsellor with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Belgrade.
Following his Master’s degree in Eastern Europe Studies in Amsterdam, he started his career in 1992 at the Netherlands Ministry of Economy as a project officer and later region manager, (financially) supporting B2B projects in countries of Central and Eastern Europe. This sparked his interest in agriculture, as many of the projects were focused on the different aspects of this sector.
After management function in the field of trade promotion and at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs he managed the network of economic advisor at Netherlands Embassies worldwide. In 2016 was appointed Director for International Agribusiness and Food Security at the Ministry of Agriculture. He visited many countries, promoting bilateral initiatives and business, and presenting the Netherlands views on the development of sustainable agriculture. Posted as Agriculture Counsellor to the Netherlands Embassies in India and in Sri Lanka from 2021 to 2025, he started as Regional Counsellor of the Dutch Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security & Nature (LVVN) for the countries of the Western Balkan in August 2025.
As Agriculture Counsellor Michiel promotes Dutch knowledge, technology and business in support of sustainable further development in agriculture in the Western Balkans. Cooperation and investments should lead to a more sustainable food system, with due attention for the environment, biodiversity, the position of farmers, improvement of soil, reduction of the use of water, energy and chemicals, and securing food security worldwide, with innovation as one of the main keys
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Zvonimir Prpić
Zvonimir Prpić is a full professor at the University of Zagreb’s Faculty of Agriculture (Department of Animal Science and Technology).
Zvonimir Prpić
Zvonimir Prpić is a full professor at the University of Zagreb’s Faculty of Agriculture (Department of Animal Science and Technology).Professor Prpić’s scientific and professional interests are primarily focused on milk and meat production in sheep and goats, as well as the preservation of indigenous sheep and goat breeds. He has published more than eighty scientific papers, with approximately 50% indexed in Web of ScienceTM. He has been a guest lecturer at the Malta University of Arts, Science & Technology, and, as part of a scientific exchange, a guest researcher at Zhejiang University in China. Professor Prpić is the co-author of three scientific monographs and a university manual in the field of sheep and goat breeding. He has collaborated on several national scientific and technological projects, as well as two international teaching projects (European Social Fund). He has served as a member of scientific committees and as an invited speaker at several international conferences. Professor Prpić has been a scientific reviewer of a university textbook and a mentor for a doctoral dissertation. He is currently Editor-in-Chief of the international scientific journal - Journal of Central European Agriculture, which was included in Web of ScienceTM during his tenure. He is also a member of the advisory panel of a scientific journal (MDPI, Q1) and a member of the editorial board of another scientific journal. Professor Prpić served as a guest editor for a special issue (MDPI, Q1). He is currently a member of the European Association of Science Editors (EASE) and chairman of the Publications Committee of the University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture.
Dr Jelena Miočinović
Dr Jelena Miočinović is a full professor and currently is Head of at the Department of Animal Source Food Technology, Faculty of Agriculture - University of Belgrade.
Dr Jelena Miočinović
Dr Jelena Miočinović is a full professor and currently is Head of at the Department of Animal Source Food Technology, Faculty of Agriculture - University of Belgrade.She is skilled in Dairy Science & Technology, Sensory Evaluation and Food Rheology and Texture. She has been mentor of four and member of committee for 8 doctoral dissertations and mentor of many master (25) and bachelor theses (130). So far, she has co-authored 90 papers indexed in SCOPUS (h-index of 22), 1 University book and 5 Chapters in international monographs. Her professional training took place at Texas AM University (USA), The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel), University of Ghent (Belgium), Lund University (Sweden) and Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek (Croatia). She has been involved in 5 projects funded by the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development and 3 projects funded by the Ministry of agriculture, forestry, and water management. She was leader of Bilateral Cooperation Project with Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Slovakia. She participated in international projects financed by the EU such as Cost Action (FA1308), Tempus Programme of EU, EU FP7-REGPOT project as well as PEER project financed by USAID. She is currently leading the Serbian part of Erasmus+ project “European Excellence in Dairy Learning - AEDIL dairy CoVE” for Serbia.
Dr Nikola Stanišić
Dr Nikola Stanišić is a Principal Research Fellow (Food Science and Engineering) at the Institute for Animal Husbandry in Belgrade, Serbia, where he is a leading scientist in the Department of Biomedicine, Technology and Food Safety Research and Development, and serves as Deputy Director for Science, Innovation and Technological Development.
Dr Nikola Stanišić
Dr Nikola Stanišić is a Principal Research Fellow (Food Science and Engineering) at the Institute for Animal Husbandry in Belgrade, Serbia, where he is a leading scientist in the Department of Biomedicine, Technology and Food Safety Research and Development, and serves as Deputy Director for Science, Innovation and Technological Development.He earned his PhD at the University of Belgrade (Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Meat Science and Technology) and previously completed an MSc in Food Technology at the same university. Across academia and industry, Dr Stanišić has developed expertise at the interface of meat technology and plant-based or hybrid product innovation. In addition to his current role in Serbia, he spent eight years at AVEBE U.A. in Groningen, Netherlands, progressing from Food Application Specialist to Field Application Manager for meat and plant-based meat products, where he supported global customers, led application research, and contributed to troubleshooting and business development. He has participated in several nationally funded R&D projects in Serbia, including projects on biotechnological solutions in ruminant and pig production systems, as well as international initiatives such as the Horizon 2020 project TREASURE, focused on local pig breeds, production systems, and traditional products. His international engagement also includes work on translating UNECE meat standards, a USDA-linked study visit in the USA, and several bilateral research visits to China. Dr Stanišić is an inventor or co-inventor on several patent filings (WIPO/EPO) related to functional ingredients and binders for meat and meat substitutes. He has contributed to the development of new product technologies, including hybrid pork–textured soy protein sausages, and publishes in peer-reviewed journals on topics such as dietary fibre functionality, meat quality, and formulation strategies for improved nutritional and technological performance.
Predrag Putnik
PhD, Senior research associate, Assistant professor University North – Koprivnica, Croatia Research area: Food Science and Technology
Predrag Putnik
PhD, Senior research associate, Assistant professor University North – Koprivnica, Croatia Research area: Food Science and TechnologyProf. Predrag Putnik, is senior researcher with background in applied laboratory work (chemistry, biology, bioinformatics, food science, nutrition, molecular biology, and industrial food engineering), information technology, and teaching. He is a double scholarship winner, granted total of $120,000.00 for education from two reputable USA universities. As a “grade A” graduate researcher at the University of Connecticut, he has gained invaluable knowledge and technical skills in epidemiology, statistics, molecular nutrition, public health, applied research in community nutrition and diabetes, and received his Master of Science in nutrition....
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Danijela Bursać Kovačević
Danijela Bursać Kovačević is a full professor at the University of Zagreb's Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology (PBF).
Danijela Bursać Kovačević
Danijela Bursać Kovačević is a full professor at the University of Zagreb's Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology (PBF).
Danijela Bursać Kovačević is a full professor at the University of Zagreb's Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology (PBF). Throughout her career, Professor Bursać Kovačević has made significant contributions to her field, as evidenced by her extensive publication record and citation count. She has participated as a collaborator in numerous national and international scientific research projects and is currently leading the projects “Hurdle Technology and 3D Printing for Sustainable Fruit Juice Processing and Preservation” (IP-2019-04-2105) and “From Edible Sprouts to Healthy Food-FEED” (Prima Call 2022, Prima Section 2 – Multi Topic 2022, Topic 2.3.1 (RIA) Enabling the transition to healthy and sustainable dietary behavior, HORIZON 2020 Programme)...
Marko Cincović
Professor Dr. Marko Cincović is a full professor of pathophysiology, clinical hematology, and animal biochemistry at the Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad.
Marko Cincović
Professor Dr. Marko Cincović is a full professor of pathophysiology, clinical hematology, and animal biochemistry at the Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad.
Professor Dr. Marko Cincović was born in Priboj on September 7, 1984. He is a full professor of pathophysiology, clinical hematology, and animal biochemistry at the Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad. He received his undergraduate and PhD degrees in veterinary medicine from the University of Novi Sad, his specialist studies at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Belgrade, and his postdoctoral studies at the Veterinary Faculty in Ljubljana. He finished all of his studies, summa cum laude. He received scholarships from the Serbian Ministry of Education and Science and the Slovenian Science Agency...
Nataša Tolimir
DR. NATAŠA TOLIMIR, Senior Research Fellow, has been employed at the Institute for the Science Application in Agriculture (IPN) since 1994
Nataša Tolimir
DR. NATAŠA TOLIMIR, Senior Research Fellow, has been employed at the Institute for the Science Application in Agriculture (IPN) since 1994DR. NATAŠA TOLIMIR, Senior Research Fellow, has been employed at the Institute for the Science Application in Agriculture (IPN) since 1994, professionally oriented in the field of agriculture, with a focus on livestock production and the transfer of scientific research results and their application in practice. Since 2014, for two terms, she has served as Deputy President of the Scientific Council, with active participation in the planning of scientific work at IPN. Since 2013, in her home institution, she has been the head of the program - Training and Education of Agricultural Advisors and Agricultural Producers, engaged in the creation, organization and implementation of education through more than 200 modules. Also, in the field of knowledge transfer and popularization of the latest scientific knowledge and achievements in the field of agriculture, she was a member of the program and organizational committees of 12 Seminars of the Agricultural Advisory and Expert Service of the Republic of Serbia, from 2010 to 2022, with about 300 participants per seminar and about 450 topics in the field of agriculture and rural development covered...
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Symbiotech 2024
Predrag Putnik
PhD, Senior research associate, Assistant professor University North – Koprivnica, Croatia Research area: Food Science and Technology
Predrag Putnik
PhD, Senior research associate, Assistant professor University North – Koprivnica, Croatia Research area: Food Science and TechnologyProf. Predrag Putnik, is senior researcher with background in applied laboratory work (chemistry, biology, bioinformatics, food science, nutrition, molecular biology, and industrial food engineering), information technology, and teaching. He is a double scholarship winner, granted total of $120,000.00 for education from two reputable USA universities. As a “grade A” graduate researcher at the University of Connecticut, he has gained invaluable knowledge and technical skills in epidemiology, statistics, molecular nutrition, public health, applied research in community nutrition and diabetes, and received his Master of Science in nutrition....