Degree in Agricultural Engineering and PhD in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Évora. He is Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Breeding and a member of the Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development (MED). Currently, he directs the Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory and is co-coordinator of the Plant Genetics and Biotechnology Research Group. He has participated in 17 R&D projects, registered a national patent and is in the process of approval of two European patents. He is also founder of the spin-off DespertaFolia Lda.
Forestry Engineer by the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Montes of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid in 1991,Diploma in Regional Planning and Environment by the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia and FUNDICOT (Interprofessional Association of Regional Planning) in 1992 and Master in Local Development and Environmental Strategies, organised by the Interprofessional Association of Regional Planning of Extremadura and tutored by the Department of Geography and Regional Planning of the University of Extremadura in 2001. Since 1996 he has been a career civil servant specialising in Forestry Engineering. He has worked in private companies and as a private consultant, and within the Autonomous Administration as a forestry engineer in ICMC (IPROCOR), Area Coordinator and Director of Extinction, Director of Forestry Programmes, Head of the Hunting Planning Section and Head of the Nature Conservation and Protected Areas Service.
With a degree in Law from the University of Extremadura and a Master in Foreign Trade, Germán has dedicated a large part of his career to the agricultural and forestry sector. He is General Director of Sustainability of the Regional Government of Extremadura. He is also President of the Extremadura Association of Forestry Companies (AEEFOR) and EXTREFOR, as well as having been General Director of the Institute of Cork, Wood and Charcoal of Extremadura, and of CICYTEX between 2011 and 2015.
With an extensive career as a manager of agricultural and forestry companies, Germán also contributes to several agricultural magazines. His commitment to the Extremaduran countryside and the dehesa is indisputable.
António Ceia da Silva was a secondary school teacher (1982-1985), tourism technician and Member of the Assembly of the Republic ( 2005-2008). He chaired the São Mamede Tourism Region ( 1995-2008) and then the Alentejo Regional Tourism Entity (2008-2020). Since October 2020, he has been President of the Alentejo Regional Coordination and Development Commission. He has been a lecturer at the Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre and has a background in Tourism, with a bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral studies, as well as a post-graduate degree from the Catholic University.
Profesora Asociada en el Departamento de Ingeniería Rural de la Universidad de Évora, con doctorado en Ingeniería Rural y agregación en Ciencias Agrarias. Fue Directora del Departamento de Ingeniería Rural y Vice-Directora del ICAAM. Es «Immediate Past-President» de EurAgEng. Su investigación se centra en el control ambiental en estufas e instalaciones pecuarias, eficiencia energética, economía circular y agricultura inteligente. Ha publicado más de 150 artículos y participa en múltiples proyectos de investigación.
A graduate in Biology from the University of Extremadura, she began her career at Nestlé, where she worked in quality control and as Project Manager in the Food Technology area at the R&D&I centre in Badajoz. In 2001 she joined CTAEX, where she held roles as Head of the Food Technology Area, Project Coordinator and Deputy Director. In 2015, she became Director of CICYTEX, a position she currently holds.
A forester and ecologist with expertise in tropical and temperate forestry and sub-Antarctic botany, Gerry has been a key figure in European environmental research since the 1980s. His work has focused on agroforestry, climate and bioenergy policy, and he has been a EURAF delegate to the Civil Dialogue Groups on Forests and Cork, Environment and CAP.
As a former IPCC lead author and member of the Institute of Chartered Foresters and Biologists in the UK, Gerry has published extensively on forest ecology, agroforestry and environmental policy. He is currently leading major Horizon Europe projects, contributing to agricultural and environmental policy.
Teresa Pinto Correia is a Full Professor in the Department of Landscape, Environment and Planning at the University of Évora and President of the Associated Laboratory CHANGE – Institute for Global Change and Sustainability. She has a degree in Geography from the Faculty of Letters of Lisbon (1984), a Master’s in Environmental Sciences (1988) in Arlon, Belgium, and a PhD from the University of Copenhagen (1993). She is Vice-President of Horizon Europe’s Mission Board on Soil Health and Food and a member of the National Council for Science, Technology and Innovation. Her research focuses on the dynamics and management of the rural landscape, the relationship between agriculture and the landscape, the multifunctionality of the landscape, transition processes in rural areas, policies and management decisions at various scales, and the relationship between decision-makers and users and the landscape.
Researcher with more than 13 years of experience in soil science.
This leading scientist holds a PhD in Desertification from the University of Valencia, Spain. He has developed his research in empirical and applied soil science in the Iberian Peninsula, collaborating with institutions such as the Desertification Research Centre (Spain), MED-CHANGE-University of Évora and CESAM-University of Aveiro (Portugal), where he is currently a researcher in the Department of Environment and Management.
His main interest is the development of soil health indicators that help managers to combat desertification and assess soil threats. He is also a member of the Spanish Society of Soil Science, specialising in post-fire soil erosion and is involved in post-fire mitigation actions at international level.
He is currently working on the development of an innovative methodology to assess the impact of soil degradation on soil functions and ecosystem services.
Professor of Plant Production at the Polytechnic University of Madrid (Spain).
Carlos holds a PhD in Agricultural Engineering and teaches sustainable agriculture and agro-livestock ecosystems at the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas. He is also a researcher in agroforestry systems and dehesas, key areas for the sustainable future of agriculture.
He is currently deputy director of the Spanish Journal of Agricultural, Social and Fisheries Studies and secretary of the Centre for Innovation and Technology for Development (itdUPM). He is also a member of the Spanish Society of Pastures and the Centre for Studies and Research in Agricultural and Environmental Risk Management (CEIGRAM).
D. in Animal Science with a specialisation in animal breeding and genetics. Since 2006, Claudino is part of ACOS and is in charge of the breeding and conservation programme of the Campaniça sheep breed. He also has an extensive experience in the coordination of R&D projects both at national and international level.
He currently represents ACOS on the board of CEBAL – Centro de Biotecnologia Agrícola e Agro-Alimentar do Alentejo. In the framework of this project, Claudino will be the coordinator and main responsible for the communication with the Alentejo2020 managers.
With a Diploma in Pastry and Kitchen Management and Nutrition from the Escuela Superior de Hostelería de Sevilla, Beatriz has worked in some of the best restaurants in Spain and the world for more than 10 years.
However, an unexpected turn in her life brought her back to Trujillo, where she took over the management of the family livestock farm.
With a focus on innovation and sustainability, Beatriz has transformed the farm into a regenerative and ecological production model, mimicking nature through managed grazing.
For her career and entrepreneurial spirit, she has been awarded the National Young Farmer Award, the PIE Award from the Cáceres Provincial Council, and recognised by Forbes as one of the ‘100 most creative people in business’.
Born in Badajoz and with a law degree from the University of Salamanca, María Pia is a passionate sheep farmer in the Dehesa.
As president of the Spanish Federation of the Dehesa, she has worked tirelessly for the sustainability and future of this valuable ecosystem.
She is also a promoter of Ganaderas en Red and a member of the Plataforma por la Ganadería Extensiva y el Pastoralismo, promoting the role of women and sustainable livestock farming in the rural world.
She is assistant professor at the University of Évora, Department of Zootechnics, and researcher at MED (Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development). Her research focuses on animal nutrition and feeding in extensive systems and on the management of grazing in the montado, recognised as a high-value agricultural system.
With a degree in Environmental Sciences and a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Tara is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Extremadura. Her career includes research stays at the Swedish Museum of Natural History and the Centre for Applied Ecology ‘Professor Baeta Neves’ at the University of Lisbon.
Tara specialises in plant-herbivore interactions in dehesas and montados, with the aim of applying her knowledge to the sustainable management of these unique ecosystems.
Her work is fundamental for conservation and the development of strategies that benefit both nature and local communities.
Agricultural manager of a family farm, Francisco Alves is dedicated to innovative work with four animal species, essential for the conservation and restoration of the Montado agro-silvopastoral system.
With a regenerative approach, he promotes practices that prioritise the sustainability and conservation of this unique ecosystem.
He is also co-founder of Orgo, a company focused on sustainable solutions for agriculture. Francisco is also certified in the Create Integrity Soils course, taught by Nicole Masters, a renowned soil health specialist.
With a degree in Law from the University of Extremadura and a Master in Foreign Trade, Germán has dedicated a large part of his career to the agricultural and forestry sector. He is Director General of Sustainability of the Regional Government of Extremadura. He is also President of the Extremadura Association of Forestry Companies (AEEFOR) and EXTREFOR, as well as having been General Director of the Cork, Wood and Charcoal Institute of Extremadura, and of CICYTEX between 2011 and 2015.
With an extensive career as a manager of agricultural and forestry companies, Germán also contributes to several agricultural magazines. His commitment to the Extremaduran countryside and the dehesa is indisputable.
A zootechnical engineer, Maria de Belém holds a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics, a PhD in Business Management and an Associate’s degree in Innovation and Territorial Management. She teaches at the University of Algarve and is an integrated member of MED – Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, as well as CHANGE – Institute for Global Change and Sustainability.
Between 2017 and 2024, he was part of the Expert Panel of the Accompanying Council of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Review. His work focuses on agricultural planning and policy, as well as on farm management and the sustainable adoption of technologies.
PhD in Veterinary Science and Professor of Animal Production at the School of Agricultural Engineering of the University of Extremadura, Paula specialises in the study of extensive livestock systems from a technical-economic perspective.
Her research focuses on the sustainability of livestock farms, the impact of public policies on the development of the sector, and the technical and economic efficiency of agricultural systems. He has also worked on systems modelling and the design of decision-making tools.
With a degree in Environmental Sciences, Amanda has extensive experience in biodiversity conservation and the promotion of sustainability. She is currently deputy director of the Global Nature Foundation, dedicated to the preservation of nature, especially in wetlands and agricultural ecosystems.
Her work focuses on sustainable land management, leading projects in ecological restoration, sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation. She also teaches classes on Natural Capital and Biodiversity in various Business Schools and collaborates in initiatives that integrate companies and biodiversity.
With a degree in Agronomic Engineering and a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, João is a partner-manager and technical-administrative manager of the Vargas Madeira Agricultural Society, Lda, dedicated to sheep and cattle production in the municipality of Mértola.
Since January 2020, he has held the position of chairman of the board of directors of the Cooperativa Agrícola do Guadiana, where he promotes sustainable agricultural development in the region.
He is also a member of the Strategic Council of the Vale do Guadiana Natural Park and of the Civil Dialogue Group ‘Organic Agriculture’ of the European Commission.
R&D Director at Harv81 Group, Ana is a chemical engineer with a master’s degree in Food Technology and a postgraduate degree in Oenology. With extensive experience in the cork sector, she is dedicated to exploring innovative ideas to address cross-functional challenges, contributing to long-term business growth.
Her work encompasses networking with research organisations and commercial activity, and she has developed key topics such as cork transformation and quality improvement technologies, aroma extraction processes and the interactions between cork, bottle and wine. She is co-author of several publications and 5 patent families.
