IGD Technical Leaders Lecture Series 2026
09 January 2026Join the first of IGD's Technical Leaders Network Lecture Series on 3 March, a free event bringing together technical colleagues from across the supply chain.
Date:
3 March
Cost:
Free, limited tickets
Tickets:
Register below
Location:
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, Crown Office Row, London, EC4Y 7HL (Lecture Theatre & Breakout Space)
Featuring a range of in‑person and virtual sessions led by inspiring speakers exploring the emerging technologies shaping the future of the food system.
The lectures are free to attend and bring together technical colleagues from across the supply chain including the Technical Leaders Forum and Network.
Whether you're a retailer, supplier, manufacturer or foodservice operator, this is your opportunity to make new industry connections and develop your understanding of sector leading innovations.
Lecture programme:
14:30 - 15:30
Networking
15:30 - 16:30
Lecture series: Microbial Biotechnology as an Engine for a Safe and Circular Food Bio-Economy
As the global food system faces unprecedented pressure from climate disruption and waste accumulation, the transition from a linear take-make-dispose model to a circular bioeconomy is essential to ensure sustainability, food safety, and long-term food security.
This lecture explores how environmental biotechnology, specifically the harnessing of microbial and fungal systems, serves as the critical engine for this global transformation. By leveraging nature’s base technologies, we can transform existing waste streams into high-value products while simultaneously remediating contaminated agricultural environments to mitigate chemical and biological risks in the food chain.
Prof. Parra-Saldivar will discuss the roadmap for integrating these innovations into industrial practice. A key focus will be the development of bio-sensing technologies for real-time monitoring of emerging pollutants and the implementation of robust standards that ensure circular processes do not compromise food safety or consumer health. Ultimately, by transforming waste into nutrient-rich resources and protecting agricultural land from degradation, environmental biotechnology contributes to food security by creating a more resilient and self-sustaining food production system that can withstand global environmental shifts.
16:30 - 17:00
Networking & close
Speakers
Prof. Roberto Parra-Saldivar
Prof. Roberto Parra-Saldivar is the Chair of Sustainable Mycoremediation at the Magan Centre of Applied Mycology (MCAM), Cranfield University. With a career spanning over two decades in Biotechnology and Food Science, he has established himself as a global leader in the development of circular bio-economies and environmental biotechnology. An exceptionally prolific researcher, Prof. Parra-Saldivar has authored over 330 peer-reviewed articles and 20 book chapters, accumulating more than 15,600 citations with an h-index of 68 (Scopus). His innovation-driven approach is further evidenced by his 18 patents, reflecting a commitment to translating laboratory research into tangible industrial and environmental solutions. His work focuses on harnessing natural microbial and fungal systems to address the most pressing planetary challenges: climate disruption, waste accumulation, and resource scarcity. By integrating sustainable mycoremediation with circular economy principles, he develops scalable strategies to transform waste streams into high-value products and restore contaminated ecosystems. Prior to his current role at Cranfield, he held senior research positions and fellowships globally, including significant contributions to Bioprocesses and Sustainable Innovation. Prof. Parra-Saldivar is a dedicated advocate for science-led policy, working to bridge the gap between academic excellence and industrial practice to build a resilient, biological future for the global food and environmental sectors.