Staff
DIRECTOR
GENERAL
DIRECTOR GENERAL
Claire Skentelbery
c.skentelbery@europabio.org
+32 2 739 11 84
Biography
Claire holds a PhD in biochemistry and has worked in the development of scientific networks and associations for over 15 years. She started her career as part of the Cambridge biotech cluster in the UK within the cluster business network and was a founder of the Council of European BioRegions, a network of biotech clusters across Europe. She brought herself and CEBR to Brussels in 2009 where she also took on the role of SG for the European Biotechnology Network, working across sectors, organisations and countries as part of the EBN mission to facilitate partnerships. In January 2017, Claire took up her role as DG of the Nanotechnology Industries Association which she successfully led until recently.
HEALTHCARE
BIOTECH
HEALTHCARE BIOTECH DIRECTOR
Bernard Grimm
b.grimm@europabio.org
+32 2 739 11 83
Biography
Bernard J. Grimm first joined EuropaBio, the European Association of BioIndustries in 2016 as a member of the Board. He has since worked as Vice Chair of the Healthcare Council and has more recently focused his contribution to the strategic direction of the healthcare sector. Bernard brings over 30 years of commercial and strategic experience to EuropaBio and its current projects, such as market access and incentives.
Outside of work, Bernard is a real cycling enthusiast. The Brussels' weather has so far never managed to discourage him from taking his bicycle to reach EuropaBio's office.
Outside of work, Bernard is a real cycling enthusiast. The Brussels' weather has so far never managed to discourage him from taking his bicycle to reach EuropaBio's office.
LEGAL AFFAIRS MANAGER
Violeta Georgieva
v.georgieva@europabio.org
+32 2 739 11 72
Biography
Violeta obtained her LL.M. Cum Laude degree in International & European Public Law from the Tilburg Law School.
She specialised in EU Internal Market, Intellectual Property and Competition, WTO and Trade Law. After being trained at the European Patent Office, the European Parliament and the European Commission, she joined EuropaBio in 2014. She started at the Agricultural Biotech Team, and in 2018 she moved to the Healthcare Biotech Team.
Violeta advises on legal and regulatory affairs. She enjoys documentary movies as well as chocolate.
She specialised in EU Internal Market, Intellectual Property and Competition, WTO and Trade Law. After being trained at the European Patent Office, the European Parliament and the European Commission, she joined EuropaBio in 2014. She started at the Agricultural Biotech Team, and in 2018 she moved to the Healthcare Biotech Team.
Violeta advises on legal and regulatory affairs. She enjoys documentary movies as well as chocolate.
HEALTHCARE BIOTECH MANAGER
Darren Kinsella
d.kinsella@europabio.org
+32 2 739 11 82
Biography
Darren joined EuropaBio in December 2017, having previously worked in European Public Affairs for a global life sciences company headquartered in Europe. Prior to this, he worked as a Consultant in the healthcare practice of one of Brussels’ leading Public Affairs consultancies.
Darren also brings additional experience to the team from his time working with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), the European Patent Office, and with Ireland’s governing political party, Fine Gael. He holds a Master of Arts in Public Affairs & Political Communication and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in European Studies.
In his spare time, Darren enjoys travelling, playing the guitar, football, and European cinema.
Darren also brings additional experience to the team from his time working with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), the European Patent Office, and with Ireland’s governing political party, Fine Gael. He holds a Master of Arts in Public Affairs & Political Communication and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in European Studies.
In his spare time, Darren enjoys travelling, playing the guitar, football, and European cinema.
INDUSTRIAL
BIOTECH
INDUSTRIAL BIOTECH DIRECTOR
Agnes Borg
a.borg@europabio.org
+32 2 739 11 63
Biography
Agnes joined EuropaBio’s Industrial Biotechnology team in 2015 and has been appointed as Industrial Biotech Director in September 2018.
Prior to this, she worked as EU Public Affairs Consultant for Weber Shandwick for 5 years, specialising in the fields of environment and sustainability. She also has work experience from the European Parliament and the Swedish Embassy in Lisbon.
Agnes is a Swedish national who has studied Political Science and International Relations in Sweden, Belgium and Spain. Apart from her native Swedish, she speaks English, Spanish and French. She likes arts and culture, doing sports and baking.
Prior to this, she worked as EU Public Affairs Consultant for Weber Shandwick for 5 years, specialising in the fields of environment and sustainability. She also has work experience from the European Parliament and the Swedish Embassy in Lisbon.
Agnes is a Swedish national who has studied Political Science and International Relations in Sweden, Belgium and Spain. Apart from her native Swedish, she speaks English, Spanish and French. She likes arts and culture, doing sports and baking.
INDUSTRIAL BIOTECH OFFICER
Lucie McMurtry
l.mcmurtry@europabio.org
+32 2 739 11 62
Biography
Lucie joined the EuropaBio Agricultural Biotech team in October 2019 after having worked in a public affairs consultancy in Brussels. Since 2020, Lucie is working with the Industrial Biotech team.
While she is a dual French-American citizen, she grew up in Germany. Her studies took her to the UK and the Netherlands, where she completed a Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences at Oxford University and an MSc in Plant Sciences at Wageningen University. During her Master’s she specialized in Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources, spending a year researching potato genetics.
In her spare time, Lucie enjoys cooking, reading, and gardening.
While she is a dual French-American citizen, she grew up in Germany. Her studies took her to the UK and the Netherlands, where she completed a Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences at Oxford University and an MSc in Plant Sciences at Wageningen University. During her Master’s she specialized in Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources, spending a year researching potato genetics.
In her spare time, Lucie enjoys cooking, reading, and gardening.
COMMUNICATIONS
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Dovilé Sandaraité
d.sandaraite@europabio.org
+32 2 739 11 81
Biography
Dovile Sandaraite joined EuropaBio in 2021 as a Communications manager. Prior to this she worked at the European Association of Institutions in Higher Education (EURASHE) where she was responsible for implementing external and internal communications strategies in line with the organisation’s strategic priorities.
Before this she obtained professional experience at various institutions including the European Parliament and the European Commission, the Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the EU (Presidency period) and the Lithuanian Competition Authority. She also worked at BVRG Burson Marsteller Vilnius as an Account manager in charge of the state companies and government institutions.
Dovile is a graduate of Law and Management at Mykolas Romeris University in Vilnius and obtained her LLM in European Law at the University of Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Before this she obtained professional experience at various institutions including the European Parliament and the European Commission, the Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the EU (Presidency period) and the Lithuanian Competition Authority. She also worked at BVRG Burson Marsteller Vilnius as an Account manager in charge of the state companies and government institutions.
Dovile is a graduate of Law and Management at Mykolas Romeris University in Vilnius and obtained her LLM in European Law at the University of Utrecht, the Netherlands.
COMMUNICATIONS & EVENTS COORDINATOR
Martina Cilia
m.cilia@europabio.org
+32 2 739 11 61
Biography
Martina has obtained a Master’s Degree in International and EU Law, after completing her studies at LUISS and KU Leuven Universities, and an additional Master in EU Public Affairs & Communication from IHECS Academy. She speaks fluent Italian, English and French, and basic Spanish.
She has experience in working on large international events, has previously worked for the European Parliament – both in its Secretariat (DG FINS) and in the Cabinet of an MEP – and has undertaken a placement at the Embassy of Pakistan to Italy.
In her free time, Martina likes travelling, reading and painting.
She has experience in working on large international events, has previously worked for the European Parliament – both in its Secretariat (DG FINS) and in the Cabinet of an MEP – and has undertaken a placement at the Embassy of Pakistan to Italy.
In her free time, Martina likes travelling, reading and painting.
COMMUNICATIONS & EVENTS ASSISTANT
Alexandra Simionca
a.simionca@europabio.org
+32 2 739 11 80
Biography
Alexandra holds a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations and European Studies from Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, where she studied in French.
Interested in graphic design and digital communication, she followed several online courses to improve her skills and gained experience in this field working as Communications Officer for Knowledge4Innovation. She was directly involved in the organization of several summit events in the European Parliament, being responsible for all the communications tasks and partly for the logistical details.
Alexandra speaks Romanian, English, French, and she can read and understand Spanish and Italian. In her spare time, Alexandra enjoys doing volunteer translations for Global Voices, cycling, and reading.
Interested in graphic design and digital communication, she followed several online courses to improve her skills and gained experience in this field working as Communications Officer for Knowledge4Innovation. She was directly involved in the organization of several summit events in the European Parliament, being responsible for all the communications tasks and partly for the logistical details.
Alexandra speaks Romanian, English, French, and she can read and understand Spanish and Italian. In her spare time, Alexandra enjoys doing volunteer translations for Global Voices, cycling, and reading.
ADMINISTRATION
OFFICE & IT MANAGER
Christine Devaux
c.devaux@europabio.org
+32 2 739 11 75
Biography
Christine, a Belgian national, completed her academic studies at the Superior Institute for Information and Documentation in Brussels, graduating as librarian-documentalist in Literature and Modern Languages with distinction.
She continued her education in the field of IT during the first years of her career. She started in 1995 as Information Officer for the Animal Health Federation where she created the first Extranet for its members before joining EuropaBio in 2004. Christine's roles within EuropaBio include office & IT management and she is also the assistant to the Director General.
She continued her education in the field of IT during the first years of her career. She started in 1995 as Information Officer for the Animal Health Federation where she created the first Extranet for its members before joining EuropaBio in 2004. Christine's roles within EuropaBio include office & IT management and she is also the assistant to the Director General.
FINANCE & HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
Majken Ekam-Nielsen
m.ekam-nielsen@europabio.org
+32 2 739 11 77
Biography
Majken Ekam-Nielsen joined EuropaBio in September 2019. Prior to this, she worked as Office & Accounting Manager at FIA Region I. She has also worked as an Administrator and Archivist at the Danish Military Delegation to NATO and the Representation of Denmark to the EU and other international companies in Brussels.
Majken is a Danish national; she holds two bachelor’s degrees, in Business & Hotel management and Business and Organizational Psychology respectively. She is trained in Belgian social law and is a certified prevention counsellor. She speaks Danish, English, French, Dutch and German.
In her spare time, Majken creates made-to-order cakes and enjoys cooking, music, and gardening.
Majken is a Danish national; she holds two bachelor’s degrees, in Business & Hotel management and Business and Organizational Psychology respectively. She is trained in Belgian social law and is a certified prevention counsellor. She speaks Danish, English, French, Dutch and German.
In her spare time, Majken creates made-to-order cakes and enjoys cooking, music, and gardening.