Massimo Castellari
Dr. Massimo Castellari, Doctor in “Food Biotechnology” from the “Universitá degli Studi di Bologna” (Italy) where he worked between 1995 and 2001 as a teacher and researcher in Food Science and Technology. Since 2001 he has been a researcher in the IRTA Food Functionality and Safety Program in Monells (Girona). Throughout its activity it has developed extensive experience in sampling and analysis techniques for the evaluation of the quality and safety of food and feed. Currently his field of research includes the valorization of agri-food by-products and alternative sources of protein (microalgae, insects, mushrooms). He has been Scientific Coordinator of the European projects ProFuture and MUSE-Tech, has collaborated in several national and European projects related to food quality and safety, and is the author or co-author of more than 90 articles published in indexed scientific journals.
Albert Ribas-Agustí
Albert Ribas-Agustí has a degree in Biology (2003), Food Science and Technology (2007) and a PhD in Food Technology (2013) from the University of Girona. He has worked as a researcher at KU Leuven (Belgium), INRA (France) and the University of Lleida, and is currently a researcher at the IRTA Functionality and Food Safety Program in Monells (Girona), where he works in research activities. contract with companies in the food sector and in national and international projects. He has significant scientific experience on the effect of thermal and non-thermal treatments on the structure, quality and functional value of food, as well as on the recovery of animal and plant products and by-products for the extraction of bioactive compounds.
Sara Bover
Degree in Pharmacy and PhD from the Department of Nutrition and Bromatology of the University of Barcelona (2000). Currently responsible for the IRTA Food Security Program in Monells, Girona. His research activity focuses on the study and modeling of the behavior of microorganisms in food and the assessment of microbiological risks, as well as the study of the effect of classical and emerging technologies (eg high pressures, bioconservation, active packaging) to food preservation and shelf life, through predictive microbiology and laboratory tests ("challenge test"). She is the co-author of 70 scientific publications, as well as technical articles and book chapters. He has participated in numerous conferences and competitive research projects, national and international, as well as in contractual research projects with companies in the sector. She regularly contributes as an organizer, speaker or teacher in transfer conferences, seminars, undergraduate and postgraduate university courses, as well as specialized technical training. She is a member of the editorial board of the International Journal of Food Microbiology and Secretary of the Executive Board of the International Committee of Food Microbiology and Hygiene (ICFMH).
Maria Dolors Guàrdia
Maria Dolors Guàrdia is an Agricultural Engineer from the University of Lleida (1996) and holds a PhD in Agricultural Engineering from the same university (2003). She has worked at IRTA since 1996 as a researcher in the Food Technology program in which she performs, among other things, surveillance functions in food legislation. His professional activity is developed mainly through research projects and contracts with private companies at national and international level in the field of technology and food processing, both in the application of classic or conventional technologies and processes and in the application of those considered new or emerging (high pressure, radio frequency,…). He has spent much of his time designing and conducting studies with trained / expert and consumer sensory analysis panels. He has participated in the international course since its first edition.
Luis Guerrero
Her research focuses on measuring consumer eating behavior from a multidisciplinary perspective, standardizing sensory analysis on different foods, as well as methodological sensory aspects, statistical analysis, and experimental design. He is also a professor of sensory analysis and statistics applied to different national master's degrees, a member of the "Asociación Española de Normalización" (AENOR), a founding member of the "Asociación Española de Profesionales del Análisis Sensorial" and responsible for the working group of sensometry of the “International Olive Council”.
Her research focuses on measuring consumer eating behavior from a multidisciplinary perspective, standardizing sensory analysis on different foods, as well as methodological sensory aspects, statistical analysis, and experimental design. He is also a professor of sensory analysis and statistics applied to different national master's degrees, a member of the "Asociación Española de Normalización" (AENOR), a founding member of the "Asociación Española de Profesionales del Análisis Sensorial" and responsible for the working group of sensometry of the “International Olive Council”.
Grau Matas
Degree in Food Technology and Management. Since 2010, it has been part of the Food Quality and Technology Program of the IRTA (Institute for Agricultural Research and Technology). Its functions are framed in research projects, contracts, training and technical advice to companies in matters related to the improvement and development of products from alternative protein sources, in process technologies (specialized in extrusion and dry fractionation) and in the development of meat products (fresh, cooked and cured). In the field of teaching, he has participated in courses and technical conferences for the transfer of knowledge to companies in the food industry. He is part of the IRTA panel of tasters trained for the evaluation and/or sensory characterization of food products. He has carried out coordination tasks of the IRTA pilot plants (equipment, quality (RSIPAC/RGSEAA...) as well as the coordination tasks of the International Course in Meat Technology, the Course in Meat Analogue Technology and the International Course in Dry Cured Meat Products.
