Committee
Executive Committee
Dr. Montserrat Filella (President), University of Geneva, CH
Montserrat Filella was an associate professor in analytical chemistry at the University of Barcelona when she moved, more than 30 years ago, to the University of Geneva, where she is a Senior Researcher in environmental chemistry. She is also Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia and member of the Scientific Council of the CNRS–Institut National des Sciences de l’Univers (INSU) in France. Her main research interests focus on understanding the physico-chemical processes that regulate the behaviour of chemical constituents in environmental compartments, mainly by combining equilibrium modelling with field and laboratory measurements. Her initial research focused on the sound determination of equilibrium constants in a bioinorganic context. Subsequently, she moved to the study of colloids and natural organic matter (quantification and interaction with trace elements) in natural waters but, in recent years, her interests have diversified further to include the study of inorganic additives in plastics and the environmental fate of plastics, less studied critical technological elements – particularly antimony, where she is widely regarded as the leading scientist – biomineralisation processes and thermodynamic data acquisition and preservation. She has organised several international meetings and numerous sessions at scientific congresses and is active in scientific editorial publishing. She is a member of the IUPAC Subcommittee on Solubility and Equilibrium Data.
Prof. Antje J. Baeumner (Vice-President), University of Regensburg, DE
Antje J. Baeumner is the Director of the Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Chemo- and Biosensors at the University of Regensburg and remains Adjunct Professor in her former home institution, the Dept. of Biological and Environmental Engineering at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, USA. Since 2023 she is also the Director of the Fraunhofer Institute Branch of Bioanalysis and Bioprocesses (IZI-BB) in Potsdam. She is Chair-Editor of the Springer Nature Journal Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry (ABC). Among the several conferences she organized, it includes BBMEC in Ithaca, NY (2002) and in Regensburg (2015), and most recently chair of the 2022 Gordon Research Conference on Nanotechnology for Agriculture and Food Systems. Her research is focused on the development of biosensors and microTotal Analysis Systems for the on-site detection of pathogens and toxins in food, the environment and for clinical diagnostics with special emphasis on the development of novel nanomaterials. Her impact in the scientific community was recognized early on by being a Blavatnik Award finalist and more recently by being among the 100 top influential analytical chemists world-wide (Analytical Scientist) and receiving the 2023 Robert Kellner Lecture Award from the Analytical Division of the European Chemical Societies.
Dr. Lionel Spack (Secretary), Société des Produits Nestlé S.A, CH
Lionel Spack is a Senior Expert in Food Contact Materials (FCM) within Corporate Operation Quality Management, acting at global level for Société des Produits Nestlé S.A. Prior to taking on this global role, he was responsible for supporting the Nestlé Zone Europe on matters related to the chemical composition of FCM. In his current position, Dr. Spack ensures the continuous update of scientific and regulatory knowledge and leads the deployment of training programs related to the safety and compliance of Food Contact Materials. Among the wide range of topics linked to chemicals used in FCM, he has dedicated significant focus to the assessment of Non‑Intentionally Added Substances (NIAS). Before joining operation, he has spent 14 years at Nestlé Research Center of Lausanne. The focus of its research was the mapping of substances used in FCM, more specifically packaging, to set-up the strategy for the auto-control expected from authorities. Earlier in his career, his research was centered on environmental analytical chemistry to support studies in ecotoxicology within the research group of Professor Tarradellas. Dr Spack has a PhD in Environmental Analytical Chemistry from Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) Lausanne.
Dr. Luiz Felippe de Alencastro (Cashier) EPFL, Lausanne, CH
Luiz F. de Alencastro was till 2018 the director of the Central Environmental Laboratory, a research and service lab dedicated to environmental analysis and molecular biology. With regards to his competences in the field of environmental pollution, his expertise includes the development of analytical methods for the analysis of trace organic contaminants, (especially pesticides, halogenated compounds, personal care products, pharmaceuticals), passive sampling, microplastics, and set-up of laboratories and training.
He has more than 30 years of experience as a researcher and university teacher. An important part of his work is oriented toward the development.
Extended Executive Committee
- Dr. Luiz Felippe de Alencastro (Cashier) EPFL, Lausanne, CH
- Prof. Antje J. Baeumner (Vice-President) University of Regensburg, DE
- Dr. Frederic Been, KWR Water Research, Nieuwegein, NL
- Dr. Montserrat Filella (President) University of Geneva, CH
- Prof. Markus Fischer, University of Hamburg, DE
- Prof. Paola Fuentes Schweizer, Universidad de Costa Rica, CR
- Dr. Roberto Pilloton, CNR, Roma, IT
- Dr. Lionel Spack (Secretary) Nestlé Suisse SA, CH
- Prof. Renato Zanella, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, BR