Keynote Speakers

M. Nicolas Cruz B.
Technische Universität Berlin, Germany

On the path to FAIR autonomous High Throughput Bioprocess Development

Dr. Nicolas Cruz is the head of the KIWI-biolab within the Chair of Bioprocess Engineering at TU-Berlin. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering and earned his Ph.D. specializing in Model-Based Optimization of Bioprocesses from TU Berlin. Dr. Cruz's international experience includes among others research stays at Texas A&M (in the Process Control Laboratory, Prof. Kravaris) and ETH Zurich (Morbidelli Group, focusing on biochemical engineering). The research of Dr. Nicolas Cruz focuses on the intersection of the fields of bioprocess digitalization, model-based tools for biotechnology and biopharma, High Throughput Bioprocess Development, and autonomous (self-driving) biolabs. His work is dedicated to advancing innovative solutions that address contemporary challenges for a sustainable society.

Puneet Mishra
Wageningen Food and Biobased Research, The Netherlands

Thinking in higher dimensions and modes: addressing multivariate multimodal data within framework of partial least-squares

Puneet Mishra researches sensing technology and automation at Wageningen University and Research. He develop new AI methods for processing point spectral data as well as spectral images. He is developer of all-in-one spectral imaging setup and also Swiss knife chemometric algorithms. He has more than 100 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals on topic of spectroscopy and chemometrics.

Thomas Vent-Schmidt
Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Switzerland

Chemometrics as a basic skill for chemists - why is it not happening?

A chemist and spectroscopist by background, Thomas has been working for Syngenta for almost 10 years. Throughout his career he has worked on building PAT capabilities, being it measurement concepts, data analysis techniques or process controls. In his current role, he is leading the global PAT activities in AI development and manufacturing. Through the mentoring of scientists as well as numerous internal and external talks and publications he constantly emphasizes the importance of PAT and how it can help to achieve the strategic goals of an organization.

Louise Wright
National Physical Laboratory, UK

The metrology mindset in a digital age: quantifying confidence in advanced analytics

Louise Wright is the Head of Digital Metrology and the Head of Science for Data Science at NPL. Different areas of metrology can benefit from digitalisation in different ways, and Louise’s work involves identifying activities and processes common to multiple areas, collaborating to develop appropriate solutions, and enabling knowledge to be shared across those areas to accelerate development and external uptake. She currently chairs the EURAMET TC-IM working group on Metrology for Digitalisation and the CIPM Task Group on Building Safe and Trustworthy AI.

David Wilsdon
Pfizer

Options for Process Analytical Technology in continuous wet granulation manufacturing

David is a team leader and senior principal scientist at Pfizer where he has worked since August 2012. He has a background in PAT and analytical chemistry and completed his PhD from the University of Strathclyde as part of the CPACT group under the supervision of Prof. Alison Nordon. David is based in Groton, CT, USA and currently leads PAT development activities in the small molecule drug product analytical R&D group.

Caroline Welch
Mondelez International

Digitalization Challenges in Food Manufacturing: Application of PAT and APC in a Traditional Industry

Having worked in Analytical R&D for Mondelez International for 10 years, Caroline has shifted her focus from the lab to Process Analytical Technology and its applications across the different snack industries encompassed by Mondelez, whether it be chocolate, biscuits or cream cheese. Working on the end-to-end implementation of PAT from technology development through to deployment, Caroline encompasses the technical - understanding the technology landscape and development of suitable technologies to integrate with process and quality systems; and the practical application - including navigating the digital and cultural readiness of manufacturing sites.

Gareth Coffin
Mondelez International

Digitalization Challenges in Food Manufacturing: Application of PAT and APC in a Traditional Industry

A chemical and process engineer by background, Gareth has been working in R&D roles for the food industry for almost 9 years. In everything from new technology discovery and development, to understanding rheological properties, process optimisation, productivity and formulation engineering. Most recently, Gareth has been focussing on developing Advanced Process Control technology for the Chocolate Category in Mondelez: applying emerging control technologies and PAT tools retroactively to common chocolate processes; working with fellow process developers and scientists to ensure their technologies launch with an APC solution; and scoping new inline techniques and process control technology to improve Mondelez’s capability.