Keynote Speakers

Dr. Keisuke Kuroda is Professor at Department of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Toyama Prefectural University, Japan. He received his Ph.D. in Engineering from the University of Tokyo (2010). He was a postdoctoral research fellow at Eawag, Switzerland, and the University of Tokyo, and was a senior scientist at National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), Japan. His research focuses on the dynamics of various natural and man-made pollutants in water environments and their mitigation technologies. Recent research include novel photocatalytic systems for water treatment, anthropogenic contaminant dynamics in swimming pools, per-and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) in aquatic systems and drinking water, and risk assessment of emerging antiviral drugs in aquatic systems.

 

Dr. Jacek Dach, is Professor at Department of Biosystems Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poland. Head of the Ecotechnologies Laboratory at the Department of Biosystems Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences (PULS) – the largest Polish biogas laboratory (over 250 laboratory scale fermenters and 20 biogas/biomethane plants under operation in PULS experimental farms). The creator of a scientific school in the field of anaerobic digestion and composting, and more broadly – biological methods of converting waste into energy. Expert cooperating with Polish government in the field of biogas, biomethane and biowaste management.As the only Pole, was (2016-19) on the DBFZ scientific council in Leipzig (a federal institute monitoring the German biogas market) and (since 2018) is a member of scientific council of the Key Laboratory for Clean Renewable Energy Utilization Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, located at China Agricultural University. This unit, headed by Prof. Renjie Dong is involved in monitoring the world's largest biogas market (over 45 million installations) and developing analyses for development ministries, preferred technologies for the Ministry of Agriculture of China, and suggesting the introduction or change of legal norms in this area.

Dr. Achille Ephrem Assogbadjo is born on 03rd May 1974 at Savalou in Republic of Benin. He is, an agronomist and forester with a special interest in non-timber forest products and orphan crops. He hold a PhD in Applied Biological Sciences (Ghent University, Belgium) and is a Full Professor of Conservation genetics, Forest ecology and Ethnobotany at the University of Abomey-Calavi in Benin. He doubles as a visiting Professor at Université Félix Houphouët Boigny in Côte d’Ivoire, University of Costa Rica in Costa Rica, University of Florianopolis in Brasil and Chuo University in Japan. Professor Achille Ephrem Assogbadjo (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5985-8800) has earned international renown for his outstanding contributions in biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management across Africa. With an H index of 45 on google scholar (https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=fr&user=sqqQc0MAAAAJ) and 32 on Scopus (www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=8978006600), the research of Professor Assogbadjo encompasses a wide spectrum, among others utilizing ethnobotanical and conservation genetics methodologies in ecosystems ranging from natural settings to agroforestry and intensive farming practices. As a globally recognized expert in the diversity and utilization of the African baobab (Adansonia digitata L.), he has revealed the intricate interplay between genetics and morphology across varying climatic zones. Professor Assogbadjo's innovative approaches to managing underutilized plants revolve around community engagement and traditional knowledge, emphasizing a holistic approach.