Visionary Speakers & Conference Orators
Dr. K. D. Prasanna Priyantha Gunathilake
Wayamba University of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Dr. K. D. Prasanna Priyantha Gunathilake
Wayamba University of Sri LankaSri Lanka
Biography
Dr. K. D. Prasanna Priyantha Gunathilake is a Professor of Food Science & Technology at the Department of Food Science & Technology, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka. He has served as Head of the Department since February 2024.
Dr. Gunathilake earned his PhD from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, focusing on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of under-utilized green leafy vegetables in Sri Lanka. He also holds an MSc by Research from Dalhousie University, Canada, and an MSc from the University of Peradeniya.
With over two decades of academic and research experience, he has published extensively in high-impact journals and received numerous awards, including the Most Outstanding Senior Researcher at Wayamba University in multiple years. His research spans functional foods, antioxidant properties, and sustainable food innovations.
In addition to his academic contributions, Dr. Gunathilake has held key administrative roles, including Chair of the Faculty Higher Degree Committee and Academic Coordinator for the B.Sc. Food Quality Management (External) program. He is also a member of the Sectorial Committee of Food Products at the Sri Lanka Institute of Standards.
Speech Title
Prof. Valery P Kalinitchenko
All-Russian Phytopathology Research Institute
Russia
Prof. Valery P Kalinitchenko
All-Russian Phytopathology Research InstituteRussia
Biography
Professor Dr Sc (Biol) Valery P. Kalinitchenko. Institute of Fertility of Soils of South Russia, Director, Persianovka, Russia. All-Russian Phytopathology Research Institute, Leading Researcher, Big Vyazemy, Russia. Doctoral Degree in 1991 in Moscow State University, Soil Science Faculty. Don State Agrarian University, Persianovka, Russia, in 1976-2012, including Agriculture and Land Reclamation Department Chair, in 1992-2012. The area of interest: soil and water saving, waste recycling, environment sustainability, soil productivity and health, Biogeosystem Technique methodology. Editorial board member of eight scientific journals, 700 monographs, journal and conference papers and 50 patents. Member of the nine international scientific societies including ACS and EGU.
Speech Title
Biogeosystem Technique Methodology Contributing to Ecosphere Sustainability and High Quality Food Production
Prof. Arie Altman
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Israel
Prof. Arie Altman
The Hebrew University of JerusalemIsrael
Biography
Founder and President, Israeli Society of Plant Propagation. (1979-1981); Chairman, Teaching Board, The Faculty of Agriculture (1986-1989); Director, The Otto Warburg Center of Biotechnology in Agriculture (1992 1998); Member, Standing Committee and Academic Policy Committee, HU (1997-2000); Member, National Committee for Biotechnology and Chairman, National Sub-Committee for Plant Genomics (2000- ); Founding Chairperson, Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture (1999-2005). Chairman, Organizing Committee, International Symposium "Frontiers of Biotechnology in Agriculture (1991); Chairman, In Vitro Culture Working Group, International Society of Horticultural Science (1994-1997); Chairman, Organizing Committee, Second International Symposium on the Biology of Root Formation, Jerusalem (1996); President, International Association of Biotechnology (IAPB) (1994-1998); Executive Committee, IAPTC&B (1998-2002) and International Advisory Committees.
Speech Title
Summit Speakers
DSC. Nedyalka Naneva Valcheva
Vocational High School
Bulgaria
DSC. Nedyalka Naneva Valcheva
Vocational High SchoolBulgaria
Biography
Nedyalka Valcheva has an extensive background in food technologies and microbiology, with a career spanning several decades. She began her academic journey in 1990, completing a Master's degree program in Technology of Vegetable, Food, and Flavor Products at the University of Food Technologies in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. From 1990 to 2016, she served as a teacher at the Vocational High School of Chemical and Food Technologies "Prof. Asen Zlatarov" in Dimitrovgrad, Bulgaria.
In 2014, Valcheva earned a Ph.D. from the University of Food Technologies in Plovdiv, based on her dissertation titled "Microflora of Healing and Spring Waters in the Haskovo and Stara Zagora Regions." Subsequently, in 2016, she took on the role of a senior expert and organizer in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Physics at Trakia University in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. Her research pursuits continued, culminating in 2023 with a D.Sc. degree from the Institute of Cryobiology and Food Technologies, Agricultural Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria. Her dissertation focused on "Physical, Chemical, and Microbiological Characteristics of Mineral, Mountain, and Spring Waters from Bulgaria, and the Biological Properties of Identified Microorganisms."
Speech Title
Characterization of isolated strains of microorganisms from mineral, mountain and spring waters from France, Italy, England, South Korea, Japan, Netherlands, Austria, Spain, Singapore, Germany and Bulgaria
