BIC team

Dirk Carrez
Dirk Carrez is the Executive Director of BIC. He is Bioengineer and holds a PhD in Agricultural Sciences. He has worked at SOLVAY in the research department, at the Belgian Federation for the Life Sciences and Chemical Industry as Director Innovation & Product Policy and as Secretary-general of the Belgian Biotechnology Industry Association. Read more>>>

Nelo Emerencia
Nelo's tasks at BIC include Programming and the Human Capital Agenda. He coordinates the Programming Working Group (all industry members), Programming Core Team (selected industry members), Associated Members Working Group (all associate members) and Education Team (selected industry and associated members). Read more>>>

Marco Rupp
Marco manages public affairs and sustainability activities at BIC. He graduated as economist. Marco has over 20 years of private and public sector expertise in various management functions. He is a member of several expert groups and advisory boards in the field of the bioeconomy. Marco coordinates the Public Affairs Working Group.

Sophia De Smet
Sopia De Smet is a British communications specialist and has has 15 years of experience as a journalist, editor and communications manager in the UK, France, Latvia and Belgium. She has worked directly and indirectly for the European Commission (DG MARE) and NATO in communications-related roles.
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Patricia Vanderplasschen
She is responsible for BIC’s general administration, accounting & finances, conference co-ordination & contacts with the membership and maintenance of the members’ database. Patricia can be contacted in English, Dutch, French and German. Read more>>>