Scientific Commission

Chair

Prof. Dr . Andresa A. Berretta

Representative of Brazil for Propolis Research Group

Biography

Graduated in pharmaceutical-biochemistry from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP/USP) and earned her master’s, doctorate, and post-doctoral degrees focusing on propolis extract research. Currently, she serves as the R&D Leader of Apis Flora Company, a Convenor of the ISO in Propolis Working Group, Co-Founder of the AgroBee startup, and the Vice-President of ABEMEL (Brazilian Association of Honey Exporters).

Prof. Dr . Vassya Bankova

Bulgarian Academy of Sciences | BAS · Institute of Organic Chemistry with Center for Phytochemistry| PhD, DSc

Biography

Professor Vassya Bankova’s name is known around the world as the leading researcher into the chemistry of propolis. Vassya has published over 200 papers on propolis over a period of 45 years. She has received awards in many countries for her acknowledged expertise, including the Elsevier Award for excellence in Global Research. This award recognised Vassya’s achievement in developing the uniquely talented and innovative research group at the Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, in her native Sofia, Bulgaria. Professor Bankova is a founder member of the International Propolis Research Group

Prof. Dr. Antônio Salatino

Sênior Professor – Botanic Department, University of São Paulo

Biography

Graduated in Pharmacy and Biochemistry by the University of São Paulo (Brazil). Obtained Master’s degree in Botany and PhD in Biological Sciences, both by the Institute of Biosciences of the University of São Paulo. Has been a faculty member of the Department of Botany of the University of São Paulo since 1973. Held the positions of Head of the Departmente (twice) and coordinator of the undergraduate course and postgraduate coordinator of the Department of Botany. Developed two post-doctorate programs: a)  Has been working in scientific research involving plant phylogeny and plant secondary metabolites, including chemotaxonomy, medicinal plants and propolis.

Prof. Dr. David de Jong

Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo

Biography

Specialist in Bee Pathology, Genetics, Nutrition, and Management of Africanized Bees. Apiculture Consultant for FAO, IDB, OIRSA, and other international entities. Hive Inspector for control of American Foulbrood in New York state, USA. Member of the Apicultural Pathology Commission of the Brazilian Beekeeping Confederation. Member of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Bee Health of the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply (MAPA). Author of over 100 publications on bees and bee products.

Prof. Dr . Marcelo Augusto Duarte Silveira

Nephrologist and Doctor of Science from the Faculty of Medicine at USP


Biography

Director of Renal Physiology and Pathophysiology at the Brazilian Society of Nephrology
Coordinator of the Nephrology Service at Hospital Aliança, Salvador, BA
Assistant Preceptor of the Nephrology Residency at Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, BA

Prof. Dr . James Fearnley

IPRG President

Biography

For the last 30 years he has focussed on trying to understand the remarkable properties of propolis.

In 2011 he created ARC (Apiceutical Research Centre) to promote both medicines from the beehive and sustainable beekeeping. In 2016 he created IPRG (International Propolis Research Group) which brings academics together in international conferences. He co-founded the Global Bee Medicine Group.

He is currently developing “BeeArc – The Nature of the Future”, a combined Discovery and Research Centre which will explore ways in which the honeybee can inspire our social, economic and cultural life planned to open in summer 2026. 

Prof. Dr . Miguel Vilas-Boas

Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Portugal

Biography

Miguel Vilas-Boas has a PhD in Chemistry from Porto University and is a professor of Chemistry of Natural Products at the Agrarian School of the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Portugal. As a researcher at the Mountain Research Centre, his goals are focused on beekeeping technology and organic beekeeping, particularly in the quality evaluation of bee products. Currently, he is the Chairperson of the Scientific Commission on Beekeeping Technology and Quality of APIMONDIA, a member of the board of directors of the Apiceutical Research Centre, Vice-president of the International Honey Commission and the Portuguese representative in the ISO committee for bee products standardization. 

Prof. Dr . Badiaa Lyoussi

Laboratory of Natural Substances, Pharmacology, Environment, Modeling, Health and Quality of Life (SNAMOPEQ),, University Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah, POBox 1796 Fez Atlas, Fez, Morocco  

Biography

Pr Badiaa Lyoussi Head of Laboratory of Natural Substances, Pharmacology, Environment, Modeling, Health and Quality of Life (SNAMOPEQ), member of Scientific committee of Association Francophone of Apitheray,  member of the Apitherapy Commission of Apimondia, has a good experience over 30 years in the physiopathology and pharmacology of natural products. She had more than 225 scientific publications with h-index (44). She won the first price in the excellence for scientific research and innovation including active participation in innovative projects related to api-phytotherapy approach’s. She is among the best 2% world researcher. She received a Doctorate from France since 1984 and a second PhD from Belgium since 1992.  She gives more than 60 conferences on bee products and medicinal plants in several countries and organized more than 30 international conferences on natural products and pathologies.

Prof. Dr. Trong Tran

Centre for Bioinnovation
School of Science, Technology and Engineering
University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Biography

Dr Trong Tran is a Senior Lecturer in Organic Chemistry and an Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellow at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia. His current research is centered on uncovering bioactive compounds from natural sources to advance the development of nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural products. He leads multiple research projects funded by government and industry partners, focusing on exploring the chemical diversity and therapeutic potential of Australian propolis derived from both European honeybees and native stingless bees.