BTechPro2026 will cover three days from May 6 to May 8, 2026. The organisers are currently working on the specific details of the program.
The full list of speakers will be updated soon.
Workshops
Beyond the slides: How to build presentations that spark discussion
Alīna Reķēna is a PhD student in bioengineering at Tallinn University of Technology, passionate about biosolutions and engineering biology. She has delivered 20+ scientific presentations and from time to time takes part in hackathons focused on biotech, food-tech, and sustainability to help turn scientific discoveries into real-world solutions. Giving a clear and confident scientific presentation can be challenging—especially when dealing with complex data, visuals, and terminology. How much should you plan ahead? What goes on the slides, and what stays in your memory? How do you avoid overwhelming your audience? During the workshop, Alina will share practical tips and simple storytelling techniques to help with structuring your talk, highlighting your key message, and building confidence on stage. Learn how to present your science in a way that’s clear, engaging, and sparks discussion!
LCA key terminology in different industries and academia frameworks & Treatment of biogenic carbon in Life Cycle Assessment
Fabian Diaz is a chemical engineer with over ten years of experience in the chemicals and oil & gas sectors. Fabian holds a Master’s degree in environmental science, and a PhD in environmental engineering from the Riga Technical University. His work experience over the last seven years includes working with different Life Cycle Assessment methodologies as a researcher in EU projects, as well as a Product Sustainability Manager for one of the largest chemical companies in the world, and now, as an Implementation Manager in the largest provider of EPDs for the cement and concrete industry in the world. Fabian’s background is a strong foundation for the workshop, which will include a short introduction to some standards for terminology clarification: EPD, PEF, PCF, DoPC, LCA, Organisational LCA, Social LCA. Furthermore, the workshop will address calculating and reporting biogenic emissions, uptake, and balancing biogenic carbon across the lifecycle of products, depending on the LCA framework under use.
Plenary Lectures
Investing in Research and Innovation in the BIOEAST macro-region
PhD Barna Kovacs, Counsellor at the Permanent Representation of Hungary to the EU, Secretary General of the BIOEAST Initiative, is currently working as counsellor at the Permanent Representation of Hungary to the EU. He has been appointed as the Secretary General of the BIOEAST Initiative, as vice-chair of the FACCE JPI, and as SCAR member on behalf of Hungary. His responsibilities cover the follow up of the European Council discussion with regard to the research and innovation in the field of bioeconomy. In his lecture, Barna will talk about the importance of investing in research and innovation in the BIOEAST region, which is crucial to unlock its untapped bioeconomy potential, improve the valorisation of biomass, and support the transition toward sustainable, circular, and climate-resilient systems. Despite its strong agricultural base and rich natural resources, the region lags behind in innovation capacity, infrastructure, and R&I investment compared to Western Europe. Targeted support is needed to bridge this gap, stimulate knowledge-based rural development, retain talent, and enable the region to actively contribute to EU green and digital transitions while ensuring cohesion and balanced development across Member States.
The dark side of academia: Navigating ethical dilemmas
PhD Laila Silamiķele is a researcher at the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre. Laila’s background is in biomedical studies using multiomics approaches, with a particular focus on the gut microbiome, as well as in preclinical in vivo research and the 3Rs principles. Alongside her scientific work, she is interested in improving research quality, reproducibility, and integrity. Laila is a board member of the Latvian Association of Young Researchers (LJZA), the only organization in Latvia that unites doctoral students and young researchers and advocates for their interests. Promoting a research culture grounded in academic and research integrity is essential not only to strengthen science itself but also to protect those who are most vulnerable in the academic hierarchy. Young researchers often depend heavily on a few individuals for their career progression. This dependence can create serious ethical dilemmas, especially when misconduct is discovered within established hierarchies. In her talk, Laila will explore how rethinking practices, evaluation systems, and research culture can create a more equitable, trustworthy, and sustainable scientific ecosystem – one where raising concerns is not a risk, but a responsibility.