Keynote speakers

Prof. Dr. Tamara Tal Toxicologist, Helmoltz Center for Environmental Research (Germany) Prof. Dr. Tamara Tal heads the Molecular Toxicology Group at UFZ, Leipzig and holds a professorship in Integrated Systems Toxicology at the University of Leipzig. Her research focuses on developmental neurotoxicity, chemical-microbiome interactions, and the use of zebrafish models to study chemical exposure effects. Prior to joining UFZ in 2019, she was a Principal Investigator at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Prof. Tal has received multiple awards, including the 2020 Paper of the Year Award from the Society of Toxicology.

Dr. Clémence Thiour Mauprivez Microbial ecotoxicologist, Université Bourgogne Europe (France) Dr. Clémence Thiour Mauprivez is a microbial ecotoxicologist and assistant professor at Université Bourgogne Europe. Her research at the UMR Agroécologie (INRAe BFC) focuses on the impact of agricultural practices and contaminants (pesticides, microplastics and antibiotics) on soil microbial communities.

Dr. Christopher Sweeney Science strategist, Syngenta (United Kingdom) Dr. Christopher J. Sweeney research focuses on the environmental risk assessment of plant protection products, particularly their impact on soil microbiomes and invertebrates. His work aims to enhance the ecological relevance and regulatory frameworks of pesticide evaluations. He has co-authored several publications on topics such as the influence of soil organic matter on pesticide toxicity and the inclusion of metabarcoding data in risk assessments.

Dr. Edward Topp Senior Chair on antimicrobial resistance, Director of research, INRAE (France) Dr. Ed Topp, is environmental microbiologist, internationally recognized for his work on the environmental dimensions of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), particularly in agricultural systems. His research focuses on how antibiotics and resistance genes move through soil, water, and manure, contributing to the spread of AMR. Previously based in Canada, he has led major interdisciplinary projects promoting One Health approaches to AMR. At INRAE, he advances science-based strategies to monitor and mitigate AMR risks at the intersection of environment, agriculture, and public health.