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 PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR
Vlad Olteanu
v.olteanu@europabio.org
Biography
Vlad joins EuropaBio’s Healthcare Biotechnology team on 1 March 2023 as Healthcare Public Affairs Director.
Prior to this, Vlad has worked for many years with top-tier law firms, global corporations and consultancies delivering legal advice, public affairs strategy and its implementation for actors in public (including the European Commission, the World Bank, EU Member States) and private sector.
Vlad is a Belgian and Romanian national who studied mathematics, economics, law and political sciences in Romania, Belgium, France and the United Kingdom. Apart from his native Romanian, he speaks English, French and Italian. Vlad likes photography, reading (fan of behavioral science, strategy, game theories, history and literature), theatre and chess
HEALTHCARE POLICY & PUBLIC AFFAIRS SENIOR MANAGER
Adrien Samson
a.samson@europabio.org
Biography
Adrien holds a MSc in European Policies and Public Administration from KU Leuven. Adrien previously completed his bachelor in English studies and his Master in British History at université Paris Diderot.
Before joining EuropaBio, Adrien worked as the Health & Pharma Policy Analyst for FiscalNote EU for 2 years. In his spare time, Adrien enjoys cooking, travelling, and playing with his cat.
Before joining EuropaBio, Adrien worked as the Health & Pharma Policy Analyst for FiscalNote EU for 2 years. In his spare time, Adrien enjoys cooking, travelling, and playing with his cat.
REGULATORY AFFAIRS MANAGER
Valentin Plouchard
v.plouchard@europabio.org
Biography
Valentin joined EuropaBio Healthcare Biotech team in February 2023 after two years being in charge of the regulatory affairs at the European Healthcare Distribution Association (GIRP).
Prior to this, Valentin graduated from a Master of Laws in European legal studies from the College of Europe in Bruges. He previously completed a master degree in law, with a specialisation in European law at the Aix-Marseille University.
Prior to this, Valentin graduated from a Master of Laws in European legal studies from the College of Europe in Bruges. He previously completed a master degree in law, with a specialisation in European law at the Aix-Marseille University.
Valentin is a native French speaker. He is fluent in English and German, and has basic Russian skills.
In his spare time, Valentin enjoys running and hiking, and has a secret passion for gardening.
HEALTHCARE BIOTECHNOLOGY INTERN
Adrian Lincoln
a.lincoln@europabio.org
Biography
Adrian holds a Bachelor's Degree in Biochemistry from the University of Exeter and a Master's Degree in Plant Science and Biotechnology from the University of Leeds.
With a strong interest in genetics, he has shaped his path towards pursuing a career within the scientific world. He has experience both in and out of the laboratory, and is currently exploring the possibility of a career in advocacy.
With a strong interest in genetics, he has shaped his path towards pursuing a career within the scientific world. He has experience both in and out of the laboratory, and is currently exploring the possibility of a career in advocacy.
Adrian is fluent in French and English and is learning Dutch and Spanish. In his spare time, he enjoys travelling, reading and making digital art.
INDUSTRIAL
BIOTECH
INDUSTRIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY 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 BIOTECHNOLOGY MANAGER
Lucie McMurtry
l.mcmurtry@europabio.org
+32 2 739 11 62
Biography
Lucie joined EuropaBio in October 2019 and has been part of the Industrial Biotech team since 2020. She previously worked in a public affairs consultancy in Brussels on dossiers linked to food safety and antimicrobial resistance.
Lucie holds a BA in Biological Sciences from the University of Oxford and an MSc in Plant Sciences from Wageningen University, specializing in Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources.
In her spare time, Lucie enjoys hiking, cooking, and reading.
Lucie holds a BA in Biological Sciences from the University of Oxford and an MSc in Plant Sciences from Wageningen University, specializing in Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources.
In her spare time, Lucie enjoys hiking, cooking, and reading.
INDUSTRIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY COORDINATOR
Francisco de Araújo Vasquez
f.vasquez@europabio.org
+32 2 739 11 68
Biography
Francisco joined the EuropaBio Industrial Biotech team in March 2022 after working as research assistant at the Institute for European Studies of the Université libre de Bruxelles and as a trainee in the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation.
He studied political science at both Bachelor and Master level at the Université libre de Bruxelles and is also a graduate of its Institute for European Studies (completing a Master’s degree in European politics). He also studied at Sciences Po Paris during his Erasmus exchange.
Francisco is fluent in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. In his spare time, he enjoys attending concerts, travelling as well as going to the cinema and art exhibitions.
He studied political science at both Bachelor and Master level at the Université libre de Bruxelles and is also a graduate of its Institute for European Studies (completing a Master’s degree in European politics). He also studied at Sciences Po Paris during his Erasmus exchange.
Francisco is fluent in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. In his spare time, he enjoys attending concerts, travelling as well as going to the cinema and art exhibitions.
NATIONAL
ASSOCIATIONS
NAC & SME COORDINATOR
José Peres
j.peres@europabio.org
+32 2 739 11 85
Biography
José holds a Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra. He has experience working across the pharmaceutical field, including scientific research, community pharmacy and pharmaceutical production.
For the past two years, José has been working as a Public Affairs and Communications professional in Brussels. He has been a consultant and adviser for pharmaceutical companies, consumer goods businesses, Health NGOs and patient associations.
He speaks Portuguese, English, advanced Spanish and basic French. He enjoys listening to fado, bossa-nova and rock, binge-watching comedy specials, watching football and discussing politics.
For the past two years, José has been working as a Public Affairs and Communications professional in Brussels. He has been a consultant and adviser for pharmaceutical companies, consumer goods businesses, Health NGOs and patient associations.
He speaks Portuguese, English, advanced Spanish and basic French. He enjoys listening to fado, bossa-nova and rock, binge-watching comedy specials, watching football and discussing politics.
BIOMANUFACTURING
PLATFORM
SR ADVISER & PROGRAMME MANAGER
Virginia Claudio
v.claudio@europabio.org
Biography
Virginia holds a PhD in Physics during which she performed research on nanofabrication, biomolecular sensing and quantitative cell biology. Moving into industry, she worked within commercialization of nanomanufacturing solutions at NIL Technology before joining IMEC in Belgium as Venture Innovation Manager.
The role encompassed valorisation of deep-tech and high-tech innovation through all phases from idea generation to investment as well as strategic corporate marketing. She worked across sectors including biotech, pharma, semiconductor, robotics and automation and is passionate about entrepreneurship and driving impactful initiatives.
The role encompassed valorisation of deep-tech and high-tech innovation through all phases from idea generation to investment as well as strategic corporate marketing. She worked across sectors including biotech, pharma, semiconductor, robotics and automation and is passionate about entrepreneurship and driving impactful initiatives.
BIOMANUFACTURING PLATFORM INTERN
Francisco Castro Alves
f.alves@europabio.org
Biography
Francisco holds Masters' Degrees in Agricultural Engineering from University of Lisbon and in Sustainability Science, Policy and Society from Maastricht University. A mixed background in natural and social sciences that shares his enthusiasm for Sustainability, with Master Thesis in Sustainable Agriculture and Energy Transition.
In between Masters, Francisco worked during 2 years in business development in two different start-ups, targeting the agricultural and food sectors. Before joining EuropaBio, Francisco completed the Blue Book Traineeship at the European Commission in which he focused on Common Agricultural Policy.
In his spare time, Francisco enjoys playing sports, listening to history podcasts, and cooking for friends.
In between Masters, Francisco worked during 2 years in business development in two different start-ups, targeting the agricultural and food sectors. Before joining EuropaBio, Francisco completed the Blue Book Traineeship at the European Commission in which he focused on Common Agricultural Policy.
In his spare time, Francisco enjoys playing sports, listening to history podcasts, and cooking for friends.
COMMUNICATIONS
COMMUNICATIONS & VISUAL DESIGN COORDINATOR
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.
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.
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.
PEOPLE, CULTURE & FINANCE DIRECTOR
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.