Staff

DIRECTOR
GENERAL
DIRECTOR GENERAL

Claire Skentelbery

c.skentelbery@europabio.org

Biography
Claire holds a PhD in biochemistry and has led organisations that champion and advocate for commercial delivery of science for 25 years, starting within the Cambridge UK biotechnology cluster. She has worked to champion biotechnology across sectors through the Council of European BioRegions and the European Biotechnology Network before moving to the Nanotechnology Industries Association. She joined EuropaBio in 2020 and in addition to her current role as Director General, she is also the Vice Chair of the International Council of Biotechnology Associations (ICBA) and Governing Board Member for the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI).

HEALTHCARE BIOTECH INDUSTRIAL BIOTECH NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS BIOMANUFACTURING PLATFORM COMMUNICATIONS ADMINISTRATION

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 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.

HEALTHCARE 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.

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 COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Adrian Lincoln

a.lincoln@europabio.org

Biography
Adrian first joined EuropaBio as an intern in November 2022, becoming the Healthcare Communications Coordinator in October 2023. He holds a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Exeter and a MSc 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 has chosen to pursue his career in the world of healthcare advocacy while also putting his graphical design talents to use.

Adrian is fluent in French and English and is learning Dutch and Spanish. In his spare time, he enjoys travelling, reading, singing and making digital art.

HEALTHCARE POLICY JUNIOR COORDINATOR 

Beatrice Rocco

b.rocco@europabio.org

Biography
Beatrice holds a master's degree in International Relations and European Studies with a focus in European Studies from the University of Florence. She previously earned a bachelor's degree in International and Diplomatic Sciences from the University of Trieste.

Her previous internship in Brussels at the Italian Trade Agency led her to choose this city as a ground for future projects, while her master's degree in European Studies introduced her to the EU bubble, making her a candidate for EuropaBio.

In her spare time, Beatrice enjoys reading, listening to music and podcasts, and shopping.

INDUSTRIAL
BIOTECH
INDUSTRIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR

Anne-Gaëlle Collot

ag.collot@europabio.org

Biography
Anne-Gaelle holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College London. Prior to joining EuropaBio, she worked for 20 years on sustainability and environmental policies in several trade associations representing the chemicals and plastics industries, including the Chemicals Industry Association (CIA) and most recently, Plastics Europe both in Brussels and in the UK. 

Anne-Gaelle is a French national with two children and enjoys practicing Pilates and growing house plants.

INDUSTRIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY SENIOR MANAGER

Lucie McMurtry

l.mcmurtry@europabio.org

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.

INDUSTRIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY REGULATORY AFFAIRS INTERN

Emma Ziche

e.ziche@europabio.org

Biography
Emma studied European Affairs at Sciences Po Paris, with a focus on eastern Europe and European diplomacy. Prior to that, she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and French-German relations at Université Sorbonne-Nouvelle, Paris. 

She previously worked in an NGO focused on promoting intercultural relations and interfaith harmony, and has experience volunteering in various organisations.

In her spare time, Emma enjoys reading, writing and drinking coffee.

INDUSTRIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY PUBLIC AFFAIRS INTERN

Hazel Byrne

h.byrne@europabio.org

Biography
Hazel holds an MSc in Global Challenges for Sustainability, with a focus on food systems transformation and waste prevention and reduction. Prior to that, she obtained her BSc in Marketing, Innovation and Technology at Dublin City University.

She has previous experiences working in project management for a global e-commerce marketplace, and she is passionate about a just transition towards an environmentally friendly society and economy.

In her spare time, Hazel enjoys reading, watching movies, and is training for her first marathon.

NATIONAL
ASSOCIATIONS
NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & SME PLATFORM SENIOR COORDINATOR

José Peres

j.peres@europabio.org

Biography
José is a Communications and Public Affairs professional with experience in European and global health policies. Before joining EuropaBio, he was a consultant and advisor for pharmaceutical companies, European institutions, patient associations and non-governmental organisations. At EuropaBio, he manages a network of over 20 European national and regional biotechnology associations and coordinates a platform of several thousand small and medium-sized companies. He designs advocacy strategies, drafts policy positions, papers and reports, and organises events and external engagements. He holds a PharmD from the University of Coimbra and several certificates in European Business Law, Market Access and Healthcare Economics. He is fluent in Portuguese, English and Spanish, has intermediate knowledge of French and is learning German.

BIOMANUFACTURING
PLATFORM
BIOMANUFACTURING PLATFORM & EU PROJECT COORDINATOR

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.

COMMUNICATIONS
COMMUNICATIONS & EVENTS COORDINATOR 

Francesca Degli Agostini

f.degliagostini@europabio.org

Biography
Francesca holds a Master Degree in Public and Cultural Diplomacy from the University of Siena and a Specializing Master's in International Cooperation and Development from the University Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, in Milan.

Her previous experiences in a communications agency in Berlin and in the Press, Information and Coordination Section of the EUDEL to the UN in New York have strengthened her commitment for using strategic communication to promote the advancement of institutional agendas focusing on the achievement of global sustainable development.

In her spare time, she enjoys discovering new brunch spots, and taking photos.

ADMINISTRATION
OFFICE & IT MANAGER
AGM MAESTRO

Christine Devaux

c.devaux@europabio.org

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.

PEOPLE, CULTURE & FINANCE DIRECTOR

Majken Ekam-Nielsen

m.ekam-nielsen@europabio.org

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.