Supervisory team

Dr. Danila Merino

Dr. Danila Merino is the coordinator of the action and co-supervises the work of the DC7 and DC8

Dr. Danila Merino is the coordinator of the action and co-supervises the work of the DC7 and DC8. Dr. Merino is PI at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) – POLYMAT, leading the SusBioComp research group. SusBioComp focuses on the development of sustainable biocomposite materials derived from renewable biomass sources. The group investigates their structure, properties, and performance, while exploring innovative strategies to advance their design and applications in the food and agriculture sectors.

Dr. Haritz Sardon

Dr. Haritz Sardon co-supervises the work of DC6

Dr. Sardon is an Associate Professor at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and leads the Sardon Lab at POLYMAT. Sardon Lab specializes in sustainable polymer chemistry, focusing on the development of functional materials through environmentally friendly processes. Their research encompasses Chemical Recycling & Upcycling, Organocatalysis, Additive Manufacturing, and Light-Mediated Transformations.

Dr. Jonatan Niño Sanchez

Dr. Jonatan Niño Sanchez will supervise DC1 and DC2

Dr. Jonatan Niño Sánchez is Assistant Professor at the University of Valladolid (UVa) and member of the Sustainable Forest Management Research Institute (iuFOR), leading a group focused on RNA-based biofungicides. His research develops sustainable technologies to protect crops and forests, with a focus on RNA interference (RNAi) strategies to control fungal diseases. The group investigates the design, delivery, and efficacy of RNA-based treatments, while exploring innovative approaches to advance their application in sustainable crop and forest protection.

Dr. Isabella Fiorello

Dr. Isabella Fiorello will supervise DC7

Dr. Isabella Fiorello leads the Biohybrid Machines group and is affiliated with Imperial College London and the University of Freiburg’s Cluster of Excellence, livMatS. Her research focuses on developing biologically inspired, microfabricated living materials capable of precisely interacting with complex, unstructured surfaces, with applications in precision agriculture, smart fabrics, space, and soft robotics.

Dr. Thomas Kodger

Dr. Thomas Kodger will supervise DC2 and DC5

Dr. Kodger is Associate Professor at Wageningen University, leading a soft materials research team. His research focuses on the design, structure, and dynamics of soft and complex materials. The group investigates the physical behavior and functionality of soft matter systems, while exploring innovative strategies to advance their applications in sustainable technologies and advanced materials.

Dr. Pedro da Silva

Dr. Pedro da Silva will supervise DC4 and DC5

Dr. Da Silva is Professor at INSA Lyon and leads the Insect Engineering group within the BF2i laboratory. His research focuses on biopesticides as sustainable alternatives to chemical insecticides. The group investigates insect–plant–microbe interactions to understand pest behavior and control, while exploring innovative strategies to advance the development and application of sustainable, health-conscious crop protection solutions.

Dr. Vera Alvarez

Dr. Vera Alvarez will supervise DC3 and DC6

Dr. Vera Alvarez is a Senior Researcher at CONICET and Associate Professor at UNMdP, Argentina, directing INTEMA and CONICET Mar del Plata. She specializes in polymer matrix nanocomposites, focusing on biodegradable and renewable materials. Her research specializes in polymer matrix nanocomposites using biodegradable polymers and natural reinforcements. She works on the design, characterization, and application of composites for uses such as food packaging, agricultural materials, and other sustainable materials.

$leonardo fraceto photo SUSBIOCROP$

Dr. Leonardo Fraceto

Dr. Leonardo Fraceto will cosupervise DC4

Dr. Fraceto is Associate Professor at São Paulo State University (UNESP), Campus Sorocaba, where he also leads the Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology. His research focuses on the development of micro- and nanocarrier systems for encapsulating bioactive compounds (natural or synthetic), to enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact. This includes work with biopesticides, nano-herbicides, slow-release formulations, and strategies to improve stability and reduce required doses.

Dr. David Cannella

Dr. David Cannella will supervise DC3

Dr. Cannella is Associate Professor at Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), and directs the PhotoBioCatalysis (BioCat) Unit within the Crop Production and Biostimulation Laboratory (CPBL). His research specializes in biomass transformation, biostimulants, and green chemistry, with a focus on photobiocatalytic depolymerization and the synthesis of bio-based materials. His group develops light-driven microbial processes to valorize bio-wastes, exploring innovative strategies to advance sustainable biotechnological applications.

Dr. Susana Loureiro

Dr. Susana Loureiro will supervise DC1

Dr. Loureiro is Associate Professor with Habilitation in the Department of Biology at the University of Aveiro, Portugal, and coordinates the Environmental Changes, Hazards & Conservation (ECHC) research group at CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies). Her expertise lies in ecotoxicology of soil and aquatic organisms, with particular focus on mixture toxicity, combined stressors (chemical + natural), nano-ecotoxicology (fate and effects of nanomaterials), and long-term or multigenerational effects.

Management team

Dr. Danila Merino

Project Coordinator · POLYMAT – University of the Basque Country, EHU

Dr. Danila Merino coordinates the overall implementation of SUS-BIOCROP, supporting the scientific, strategic and operational alignment of the consortium.

Dr. Mónica Moreno

Project Management · POLYMAT Projects Office

Dr. Mónica Moreno Rodríguez supports the administrative and operational management of SUS-BIOCROP from the POLYMAT Projects Office, contributing to project implementation, coordination and institutional follow-up.

Beneficiaries

Associated Partners

Associated Partners linked to a beneficiary

«Doctoral Network in Developing Sustainable Biocomposite Materials for Enhancing Crop Resilience and Yield» project, SUSBIOCROP (Ref. 101226772), has received funding from the HORIZON-MSCA-2024-DN-01-01 call (Doctoral Networks – Joint Doctorates modality) of the research and innovation programme of Horizon Europe under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie actions.

Project coordinator

Dr. Danila Merino

University of the Basque Country, EHU

Basque Center for Macromolecular Design and Engineering, POLYMAT

Avenida de Tolosa 72

20018 Donostia-San Sebastian (Spain)