Head of Food Biosciences, Dept of Food Biosciences, Teagasc, Ireland

Prof Paul Cotter is an internationally recognized expert in molecular microbiology, with a particular focus on food microbiology (especially fermented products), probiotics and postbiotics, the food supply chain, and the human gut. 

He is the head of food biosciences at Teagasc, Ireland, and serves as a principal investigator at leading research centers including APC Microbiome Ireland, VistaMilk, and Food for Health Ireland. Paul is also head of microbiology and co-founder of SeqBiome, a microbiome sequencing and bioinformatics service provider.  

The author of over 450 peer-reviewed publications, Paul has been recognized as a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher and served as coordinator of the EU Horizon 2020 project, MASTER—a project that addresses the development of microbiome products for the benefit of society. 

Paul is the Field Chief Editor of Frontiers in Microbiology and recipient of numerous awards, including an honorary doctorate from the University of Antwerp. His work is defined by a commitment to advancing food and health through microbiome science.

Senior Research Engineer and Thematic Coordinator, Center for Health and Bioresources, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, and Managing Director of the MicrobiomeSupport Association, Austria

Dr Tanja Kostic is a senior research engineer and thematic coordinator at the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, as well as managing director of the MicrobiomeSupport Association. She holds a degree in microbiology from the University of Graz and a PhD in food chemistry and biotechnology from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna.  

Tanja’s research centers on the microbiome of diverse ecosystems, particularly food production environments, where she develops and applies innovative methodologies and technologies to preserve and utilize microbiome data. She has played key roles in numerous EU projects such as MASTER, DOMINO, and FoodSafeR.  

With extensive experience in fostering collaborations between research and industry, Tanja is recognized for her efforts to standardize practices and policies in microbiome research and for advancing microbiome science by promoting innovation in food and biotechnology sectors. 

Assistant Professor, Food Hygiene and Technology 

Dr Paula Fernández Gómez is an assistant professor with a background in novel strategies for biofilm control in the food industry, employing non-thermal atmospheric plasma technologies. Recently her research focus has shifted towards the development of functional fermented plant-based foods, utilizing metagenomic and metabolomic characterization techniques.  

After obtaining her PhD in Veterinary and Food Sciences from the Universidad de León (Spain), she joined Teagasc Food Research Center through the prestigious Margarita Salas postdoctoral fellowship, followed by an INSPIRE COFUND Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship.   

Currently a Beatriz Galindo junior researcher at the Universidad de León in Spain, Paula is recognized for her innovative contributions to food safety and functional food development. 

Senior Advisor, Food Systems and Food Safety Division, UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Italy 

Karel Callens is an international leader in microbiome science and innovation, with over 25 years of experience at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Throughout his career, he has championed collaboration between scientists, innovators, policymakers, business leaders, youth-led startups, and civil society, fostering inclusive and cross-sectoral dialogue. 

At FAO, Karel has played a pivotal role in strengthening the science–policy interface. He led the joint EU–FAO FIRST Policy Assistance Facility and has been instrumental in advancing the organization’s work on the applications of microbiome science and innovation for sustainable agri-food systems transformation. His mission is to equip policymakers with robust, science-based evidence to guide informed decisions and manage the opportunities and risks associated with emerging innovations. 

In his current role, Karel supports FAO's mandate as custodian of Sustainable Development Goal 2, helping ensure that the world’s poorest and most vulnerable countries benefit equitably from advances in microbiome research and technology.