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 BIOTECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR
Jamie Wilkinson
j.wilkinson@europabio.org
Biography
Jamie is a pharmacist with experience in European and global health and pharmaceutical policies. He has experience navigating the health policy ecosystem in Brussels and beyond - gained from policy roles in non-governmental organisations, professional and patient-led organisations, trade associations, and pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Jamie holds a Professional Diploma in Public Relations, master’s degrees in pharmacy, health policy, and public health, as well as professional registrations in public health, regulatory policy, public relations, and pharmacy.
HEALTHCARE BIOTECHNOLOGY MANAGER
Seán Byrne
s.byrne@europabio.org
Biography
Seán holds a Ph.D in Law from the University of Manchester. His doctoral research looked at the concept of Responsible Research and Innovation as it was ap plied by the EU's Horizon 2020 framework programme, and the impact of RRI on the regulation of new sciences and technologies - specifically synthetic biology. He further holds a Master of Laws degree (LL.M) in Medical Law from Queen Mary University of London, and an M.Sc in Bioethics from KU Leuven. He completed his bachelor studies in Law and Society at Dublin City University.
Having originally joined EuropaBio as a stagiaire, Seán rejoined the Healthcare Biotechnology team in 2021 after a period as healthcare and competition policy adviser at the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU. He has previously worked in civil litigation, consulting and research roles.
In his spare time Seán plays video games, like Civilisation, Crusader Kings, or Cities: Skylines!
Having originally joined EuropaBio as a stagiaire, Seán rejoined the Healthcare Biotechnology team in 2021 after a period as healthcare and competition policy adviser at the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU. He has previously worked in civil litigation, consulting and research roles.
In his spare time Seán plays video games, like Civilisation, Crusader Kings, or Cities: Skylines!
HEALTHCARE BIOTECHNOLOGY 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.
HEALTHCARE BIOTECHNOLOGY COORDINATOR
Rowan Dunn
r.dunn@europabio.org
Biography
Rowan Dunn holds an MA in European affairs from the College of Europe and a BA in international relations from the University of Groningen. During her career, she has acquired experience in project management, research, public affairs, and communications in both the public and private sectors, and most recently by working for an award-winning global consultancy in Brussels with major pharmaceutical, biotech, and tech clients.
Coming from an international background, Rowan has lived in seven countries. She is passionate about environmental and social issues, particularly women's and minority rights. Other interests include travelling, languages, houseplants, music (with a special fondness for Mongolian folk music), and animals (especially cats)!
Coming from an international background, Rowan has lived in seven countries. She is passionate about environmental and social issues, particularly women's and minority rights. Other interests include travelling, languages, houseplants, music (with a special fondness for Mongolian folk music), and animals (especially cats)!
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 OFFICER
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.
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.
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.
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.