Grow Learn: Autumn School

“Cristina Tendinha has held the position of Business Unit Manager at Eurofins Food & Agro Testing Portugal since 2021, where she leads the business units dedicated to chemical and microbiological testing in food. She brings 25 years of consolidated experience in laboratory management and quality control. Her expertise includes strategic leadership, productivity enhancement, and operational efficiency in laboratory environments. Her professional journey is marked by high-complexity international projects involving the design and development of laboratories, implementation and validation of analytical methods, accreditation, auditing, training, process optimization, and operational management. She is a specialist in the assessment of contaminants, pesticides, and food safety parameters, supporting operators across the agri-food chain in complying with legal requirements and adopting best practices. Cristina regularly participates in technical conferences on food safety and is the author of specialized articles highlighting the role of analytical laboratories in ensuring food quality and safety. She will present the topic “Pesticides: Fundamentals, Risk Exposure Assessment”, sharing both a practical and scientific perspective on one of the most relevant issues for sustainability and trust in the agri-food sector.”

“Ana Bárbara Oliveira holds a university degree in Agronomy – Plant protection from the Instituto Superior de Agronomia (ISA) School of Agronomy since 1993 and has been working since, in the national competent authority for the implementation of the regulatory frame for the placing of plant protection products on the market and the sustainable use of pesticides. Main activities carried out over the past years were as an expert on environmental safety and ecotoxicology, followed by positions as head of the unit responsible for the management of the assessment and authorization of plant protection products and biocidal products for wood protection, followed by the position of Head of the Department in charge of the coordination of activities pertaining to the authorization of Plant Protection Products, controls, enforcement and sustainable use of pesticides. She is also national delegate for different working groups at EU level contributing to the definition of policies and to the implementation of EU and national legislation on the same matters. She will present the topic “Sustainable use of Plant protection products. Where are we now?”, providing both a practical and regulatory perspective on implementing safe and sustainable pesticide management strategies in agriculture.”

“Joana Cruz is the Soil Health and Function Laboratory Manager at Food4Sustainability. She holds a PhD in Microbiology and brings over 10 years of R&D experience in Molecular Biology Methods, working across government, academic, and private laboratories. Her research has focused on microbial communities associated with plants, exploring the roles of pathogenic and growth-promoting bacteria in sustainable agriculture. She will present “Soil Microbiome Management to Reduce Pesticide Dependence: Nutrition & Soil Use to Reduce Pesticide Inputs.” Her session will highlight how soil management and microbial interactions can contribute to reducing pesticide reliance while enhancing soil health and crop resilience.”

“David Ribeiro Santos is a Senior Project Manager at Food4Sustainability, holding a PhD in Agricultural Engineering with a specialization in animal production. He works on projects focused on sustainable and regenerative agriculture, promoting innovation and best practices for resilient food systems. He will present “Soil Microbiome Management to Reduce Pesticide Dependence: Tools & Technologies for Microbiome Analysis”, exploring how advances in microbiome analysis can support soil health, biodiversity and sustainable pest management, helping reduce reliance on chemical pesticides through data-driven solutions.”

“The Autumn School stood out for the quality and expertise of the speakers, as well as the excellent organization of the sessions.”

“I appreciated the wide range of relevant topics and the diverse perspectives presented by international experts.”

“The sessions and case studies were practical, engaging and directly applicable to real agricultural challenges.”

“I really valued the sharing of information, international expertise and the dynamic structure of the program.”