Confirmed Speakers
Welcome to SeedCon 2026. Below you’ll find our current list of confirmed speakers. Each listed expert will contribute their unique insights to our program. More speakers will be added as they are confirmed.
Confirmed Speakers
Welcome to SeedCon 2026. Below you’ll find our current list of confirmed speakers. Each listed expert will contribute their unique insights to our program. More speakers will be added as they are confirmed.
Confirmed Speakers
Welcome to SeedCon 2026. Below you’ll find our current list of confirmed speakers. Each listed expert will contribute their unique insights to our program. More speakers will be added as they are confirmed.
Gabriele Berg
Gabriele Berg studied biology, ecology and biotechnology at the universities in Rostock and Greifswald (Germany), and obtained her Ph.D. in 1995 in microbiology from Rostock University. In 2005 she became a full professor in environmental biotechnology at Graz University of Technology (Austria), and in 2021 an additional professorship in Potsdam together with a position at Leibniz ATB (Germany). Since 2025 she has been a Max Planck fellow at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Potsdam. Her interests are focused on microbiome research and translation of the results into new biotechnological concepts for health issues. In addition, she is one of the international drivers of the interdisciplinary field of microbiome biotechnology. She belongs to the most cited researchers worldwide (highly cited researcher 2019-21, 2024), and received several high-ranking awards. She is vice president of the International Society for Microbial Ecology (ISME).
Gabriele Berg
Gabriele Berg studied biology, ecology and biotechnology at the universities in Rostock and Greifswald (Germany), and obtained her Ph.D. in 1995 in microbiology from Rostock University. In 2005 she became a full professor in environmental biotechnology at Graz University of Technology (Austria), and in 2021 an additional professorship in Potsdam together with a position at Leibniz ATB (Germany). Since 2025 she has been a Max Planck fellow at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Potsdam. Her interests are focused on microbiome research and translation of the results into new biotechnological concepts for health issues. In addition, she is one of the international drivers of the interdisciplinary field of microbiome biotechnology. She belongs to the most cited researchers worldwide (highly cited researcher 2019-21, 2024), and received several high-ranking awards. She is vice president of the International Society for Microbial Ecology (ISME).
Gabriele Berg
Gabriele Berg studied biology, ecology and biotechnology at the universities in Rostock and Greifswald (Germany), and obtained her Ph.D. in 1995 in microbiology from Rostock University. In 2005 she became a full professor in environmental biotechnology at Graz University of Technology (Austria), and in 2021 an additional professorship in Potsdam together with a position at Leibniz ATB (Germany). Since 2025 she has been a Max Planck fellow at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Potsdam. Her interests are focused on microbiome research and translation of the results into new biotechnological concepts for health issues. In addition, she is one of the international drivers of the interdisciplinary field of microbiome biotechnology. She belongs to the most cited researchers worldwide (highly cited researcher 2019-21, 2024), and received several high-ranking awards. She is vice president of the International Society for Microbial Ecology (ISME).
Angela Sessitsch
Dr. Angela Sessitsch is Head of the Center for Health & Bioresources at the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology. She studied biochemistry at the University of Technology in Graz, holds a PhD in Microbiology from the Wageningen University, the Netherlands, and is habilitated at the Vienna University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences. She has pioneered plant-associated microbiomes and is interested in understanding the interactions between plants, microbiomes and the environment as well as to develop applications. Her team explores the diversity and functioning of plant microbiota by applying a range of molecular approaches, interaction modes between plants and model bacteria, colonization behaviour of endophytes as well as various application technologies for biocontrol and crop enhancement applications. Together with her group A. Sessitsch published more than 250 peer-reviewed publications and is co-inventor of several patents.
Angela Sessitsch
Dr. Angela Sessitsch is Head of the Center for Health & Bioresources at the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology. She studied biochemistry at the University of Technology in Graz, holds a PhD in Microbiology from the Wageningen University, the Netherlands, and is habilitated at the Vienna University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences. She has pioneered plant-associated microbiomes and is interested in understanding the interactions between plants, microbiomes and the environment as well as to develop applications. Her team explores the diversity and functioning of plant microbiota by applying a range of molecular approaches, interaction modes between plants and model bacteria, colonization behaviour of endophytes as well as various application technologies for biocontrol and crop enhancement applications. Together with her group A. Sessitsch published more than 250 peer-reviewed publications and is co-inventor of several patents.
Angela Sessitsch
Dr. Angela Sessitsch is Head of the Center for Health & Bioresources at the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology. She studied biochemistry at the University of Technology in Graz, holds a PhD in Microbiology from the Wageningen University, the Netherlands, and is habilitated at the Vienna University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences. She has pioneered plant-associated microbiomes and is interested in understanding the interactions between plants, microbiomes and the environment as well as to develop applications. Her team explores the diversity and functioning of plant microbiota by applying a range of molecular approaches, interaction modes between plants and model bacteria, colonization behaviour of endophytes as well as various application technologies for biocontrol and crop enhancement applications. Together with her group A. Sessitsch published more than 250 peer-reviewed publications and is co-inventor of several patents.
Ashley Shade
Ashley Shade is a Director of Research with the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). Her research aims to understand how environmental microbial communities adapt and achieve resilience to climate change. Her lab employs quantitative and 'omics technologies, along with field and laboratory experiments, to gain a systems-level understanding of microbiome responses to environmental stress. Her current Horizon Europe Consolidator award, "MicroRescue," focuses on understanding which soil and rhizosphere bacteria awaken from an inactive state in response to warming and drought, and the consequences of these awakenings for maintaining critical microbial functions within ecosystems. Dr. Shade is a 2025 recipient of the United States Presidential Early Career Award in Science and Engineering, presented by President Biden, the highest U.S. honor bestowed upon young researchers. She serves as the editor-in-chief of the American Society for Microbiology's journal mSystems.
Ashley Shade
Ashley Shade is a Director of Research with the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). Her research aims to understand how environmental microbial communities adapt and achieve resilience to climate change. Her lab employs quantitative and 'omics technologies, along with field and laboratory experiments, to gain a systems-level understanding of microbiome responses to environmental stress. Her current Horizon Europe Consolidator award, "MicroRescue," focuses on understanding which soil and rhizosphere bacteria awaken from an inactive state in response to warming and drought, and the consequences of these awakenings for maintaining critical microbial functions within ecosystems. Dr. Shade is a 2025 recipient of the United States Presidential Early Career Award in Science and Engineering, presented by President Biden, the highest U.S. honor bestowed upon young researchers. She serves as the editor-in-chief of the American Society for Microbiology's journal mSystems.
Ashley Shade
Ashley Shade is a Director of Research with the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). Her research aims to understand how environmental microbial communities adapt and achieve resilience to climate change. Her lab employs quantitative and 'omics technologies, along with field and laboratory experiments, to gain a systems-level understanding of microbiome responses to environmental stress. Her current Horizon Europe Consolidator award, "MicroRescue," focuses on understanding which soil and rhizosphere bacteria awaken from an inactive state in response to warming and drought, and the consequences of these awakenings for maintaining critical microbial functions within ecosystems. Dr. Shade is a 2025 recipient of the United States Presidential Early Career Award in Science and Engineering, presented by President Biden, the highest U.S. honor bestowed upon young researchers. She serves as the editor-in-chief of the American Society for Microbiology's journal mSystems.
Marie Simonin
Marie Simonin is an INRAE researcher (IRHS, Angers, France) whose work centers on seed microbiota and microbial community ecology, exploring how microbes interact with seeds and influence plant health from the earliest life stages. Her team uses synthetic communities inoculations to investigate the mechanisms of microbial inheritance across plant generations. By assembling defined microbial consortia and inoculating plants, she explores how specific microbial members are transmitted from parent plants to offspring, shaping the initial microbiota of the next generation. This work provides insights into the processes by which beneficial microbes can be maintained and propagated through plants, informing strategies for enhanced crop health and sustainable agriculture.
Marie Simonin
Marie Simonin is an INRAE researcher (IRHS, Angers, France) whose work centers on seed microbiota and microbial community ecology, exploring how microbes interact with seeds and influence plant health from the earliest life stages. Her team uses synthetic communities inoculations to investigate the mechanisms of microbial inheritance across plant generations. By assembling defined microbial consortia and inoculating plants, she explores how specific microbial members are transmitted from parent plants to offspring, shaping the initial microbiota of the next generation. This work provides insights into the processes by which beneficial microbes can be maintained and propagated through plants, informing strategies for enhanced crop health and sustainable agriculture.
Marie Simonin
Marie Simonin is an INRAE researcher (IRHS, Angers, France) whose work centers on seed microbiota and microbial community ecology, exploring how microbes interact with seeds and influence plant health from the earliest life stages. Her team uses synthetic communities inoculations to investigate the mechanisms of microbial inheritance across plant generations. By assembling defined microbial consortia and inoculating plants, she explores how specific microbial members are transmitted from parent plants to offspring, shaping the initial microbiota of the next generation. This work provides insights into the processes by which beneficial microbes can be maintained and propagated through plants, informing strategies for enhanced crop health and sustainable agriculture.
Matthieu Barret
Matthieu Barret is microbiologist by training. He received his Ph.D (Agrocampus Ouest Rennes, France) in 2009 working on the functioning of mixed bacterial-fungal communities in the rhizosphere. After a post-doctoral work at the BIOMERIT Research Centre (University College Cork, Ireland) on bacterial secretion systems, he was hired as INRAE research scientist in 2012 (IRHS, Angers, France). Since 2022, M. Barret heads the EmerSys group (@emersys-irhs.bsky.social), working on the processes involved in the assembly of the seed microbiota. He is the coordinator of the SUCSEED project, which aims to identify and develop novel solutions adapted to seed protection (https://www.cultiver-proteger-autrement.fr/eng/projects/sucseed).
Matthieu Barret
Matthieu Barret is microbiologist by training. He received his Ph.D (Agrocampus Ouest Rennes, France) in 2009 working on the functioning of mixed bacterial-fungal communities in the rhizosphere. After a post-doctoral work at the BIOMERIT Research Centre (University College Cork, Ireland) on bacterial secretion systems, he was hired as INRAE research scientist in 2012 (IRHS, Angers, France). Since 2022, M. Barret heads the EmerSys group (@emersys-irhs.bsky.social), working on the processes involved in the assembly of the seed microbiota. He is the coordinator of the SUCSEED project, which aims to identify and develop novel solutions adapted to seed protection (https://www.cultiver-proteger-autrement.fr/eng/projects/sucseed).
Matthieu Barret
Matthieu Barret is microbiologist by training. He received his Ph.D (Agrocampus Ouest Rennes, France) in 2009 working on the functioning of mixed bacterial-fungal communities in the rhizosphere. After a post-doctoral work at the BIOMERIT Research Centre (University College Cork, Ireland) on bacterial secretion systems, he was hired as INRAE research scientist in 2012 (IRHS, Angers, France). Since 2022, M. Barret heads the EmerSys group (@emersys-irhs.bsky.social), working on the processes involved in the assembly of the seed microbiota. He is the coordinator of the SUCSEED project, which aims to identify and develop novel solutions adapted to seed protection (https://www.cultiver-proteger-autrement.fr/eng/projects/sucseed).
Birgit Wassermann
Birgit Wassermann studied Plant Sciences and Molecular Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology and obtained her PhD in Environmental Biotechnology from Graz University of Technology (Austria). As Senior Researcher at the Austrian Institute for Industrial Biotechnology (acib) she conducted industry-relevant research in cooperation with plant breeding and crop protection companies including BASF, AKREMI, NPZ, San Agrow. Currently, she holds a Tenure Track position at the Institute of Environmental Biotechnology at Graz University of Technology. Her research focuses on microbiome analyses and biotechnology. She primarily aims to investigate plant-microbiome interactions in the context of climate change and to develop innovative microbiome-based strategies for sustainable agriculture. Her work involves studying natural ecosystems, with particular emphasis on plant seeds, to elucidate fundamental functions of the plant holobiont.
Birgit Wassermann
Birgit Wassermann studied Plant Sciences and Molecular Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology and obtained her PhD in Environmental Biotechnology from Graz University of Technology (Austria). As Senior Researcher at the Austrian Institute for Industrial Biotechnology (acib) she conducted industry-relevant research in cooperation with plant breeding and crop protection companies including BASF, AKREMI, NPZ, San Agrow. Currently, she holds a Tenure Track position at the Institute of Environmental Biotechnology at Graz University of Technology. Her research focuses on microbiome analyses and biotechnology. She primarily aims to investigate plant-microbiome interactions in the context of climate change and to develop innovative microbiome-based strategies for sustainable agriculture. Her work involves studying natural ecosystems, with particular emphasis on plant seeds, to elucidate fundamental functions of the plant holobiont.
Birgit Wassermann
Birgit Wassermann studied Plant Sciences and Molecular Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology and obtained her PhD in Environmental Biotechnology from Graz University of Technology (Austria). As Senior Researcher at the Austrian Institute for Industrial Biotechnology (acib) she conducted industry-relevant research in cooperation with plant breeding and crop protection companies including BASF, AKREMI, NPZ, San Agrow. Currently, she holds a Tenure Track position at the Institute of Environmental Biotechnology at Graz University of Technology. Her research focuses on microbiome analyses and biotechnology. She primarily aims to investigate plant-microbiome interactions in the context of climate change and to develop innovative microbiome-based strategies for sustainable agriculture. Her work involves studying natural ecosystems, with particular emphasis on plant seeds, to elucidate fundamental functions of the plant holobiont.
Tomislav Cernava
My research is primarily focussed on obtaining mechanistic insights into microbiome functioning. I mainly work with plant and environmental microbiomes, but also with other microbiomes, e.g. indoor microbiomes, to link them to human health and disease. I am currently involved as PI in several research projects, including such that are funded by Horizon Europe and national funding bodies. During the last years I have co-authored more than 135 peer-reviewed publications. In the beginning of 2023, I was appointed Associate Professor at the University of Southampton after being Assistant Professor at Graz University of Technology (Austria) for several years. I am also a Working Group (Biological and Integrated Control of Plant Pathogens) convenor for the International Organization of Biological Control (IOBC).
Tomislav Cernava
My research is primarily focussed on obtaining mechanistic insights into microbiome functioning. I mainly work with plant and environmental microbiomes, but also with other microbiomes, e.g. indoor microbiomes, to link them to human health and disease. I am currently involved as PI in several research projects, including such that are funded by Horizon Europe and national funding bodies. During the last years I have co-authored more than 135 peer-reviewed publications. In the beginning of 2023, I was appointed Associate Professor at the University of Southampton after being Assistant Professor at Graz University of Technology (Austria) for several years. I am also a Working Group (Biological and Integrated Control of Plant Pathogens) convenor for the International Organization of Biological Control (IOBC).
Tomislav Cernava
My research is primarily focussed on obtaining mechanistic insights into microbiome functioning. I mainly work with plant and environmental microbiomes, but also with other microbiomes, e.g. indoor microbiomes, to link them to human health and disease. I am currently involved as PI in several research projects, including such that are funded by Horizon Europe and national funding bodies. During the last years I have co-authored more than 135 peer-reviewed publications. In the beginning of 2023, I was appointed Associate Professor at the University of Southampton after being Assistant Professor at Graz University of Technology (Austria) for several years. I am also a Working Group (Biological and Integrated Control of Plant Pathogens) convenor for the International Organization of Biological Control (IOBC).
Irene Sanz Puente
Dr. Sanz Puente Postdoctoral Researcher at the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (Germany). Her research focuses on the seed microbiome and the vertical transmission of endophytic microorganisms, aiming to enhance crop health, resilience, and sustainability.
Irene Sanz Puente
Dr. Sanz Puente Postdoctoral Researcher at the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (Germany). Her research focuses on the seed microbiome and the vertical transmission of endophytic microorganisms, aiming to enhance crop health, resilience, and sustainability.
Irene Sanz Puente
Dr. Sanz Puente Postdoctoral Researcher at the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (Germany). Her research focuses on the seed microbiome and the vertical transmission of endophytic microorganisms, aiming to enhance crop health, resilience, and sustainability.
Gillian E Bergmann
Gillian E Bergmann is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Seed Microbiomes and Bioinformatics with Dr. Ahmed Abdelfattah’s group at the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy. As an NSF Graduate Research Fellow at the University of California-Davis, she studied the contribution of floral transmission to seed microbiome assembly and some ecological processes affecting transmission success. She is broadly interested in processes affecting seed microbiome assembly and persistence, monitoring microbial biodiversity in plant seeds, and using seed microbiomes for sustainable agriculture and plant conservation. She is a member of the Seed Microbiome Working Group and the Microbes and Social Equity Working Group.
Gillian E Bergmann
Gillian E Bergmann is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Seed Microbiomes and Bioinformatics with Dr. Ahmed Abdelfattah’s group at the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy. As an NSF Graduate Research Fellow at the University of California-Davis, she studied the contribution of floral transmission to seed microbiome assembly and some ecological processes affecting transmission success. She is broadly interested in processes affecting seed microbiome assembly and persistence, monitoring microbial biodiversity in plant seeds, and using seed microbiomes for sustainable agriculture and plant conservation. She is a member of the Seed Microbiome Working Group and the Microbes and Social Equity Working Group.
Gillian E Bergmann
Gillian E Bergmann is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Seed Microbiomes and Bioinformatics with Dr. Ahmed Abdelfattah’s group at the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy. As an NSF Graduate Research Fellow at the University of California-Davis, she studied the contribution of floral transmission to seed microbiome assembly and some ecological processes affecting transmission success. She is broadly interested in processes affecting seed microbiome assembly and persistence, monitoring microbial biodiversity in plant seeds, and using seed microbiomes for sustainable agriculture and plant conservation. She is a member of the Seed Microbiome Working Group and the Microbes and Social Equity Working Group.
Ahmed Abdelfattah
Ahmed Abdelfattah is Head of the Microbiome Management Working Group at the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), and Co-lead of the Microbiome Biotechnology Department. His research focuses on microbial inheritance, seed microbiome assembly, and host–microbiome coevolution. He has held Marie Curie and postdoctoral fellowships in Austria, Sweden, and Italy, working on plant-microbe interactions in diverse crops and ecosystems. Through interdisciplinary approaches, Abdelfattah aims to advance sustainable agriculture by integrating microbiome insights into crop production systems.
Ahmed Abdelfattah
Ahmed Abdelfattah is Head of the Microbiome Management Working Group at the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), and Co-lead of the Microbiome Biotechnology Department. His research focuses on microbial inheritance, seed microbiome assembly, and host–microbiome coevolution. He has held Marie Curie and postdoctoral fellowships in Austria, Sweden, and Italy, working on plant-microbe interactions in diverse crops and ecosystems. Through interdisciplinary approaches, Abdelfattah aims to advance sustainable agriculture by integrating microbiome insights into crop production systems.