Dr. Don Hillebrand
Director, Energy Systems Division, Argonne National Laboratories
Dr. Don Hillebrand is the Director of Argonne’s Energy Systems Division. In this role Don is responsible for leading a team of engineers and scientists who are seeking to develop technologies to improve the efficiency of resource and energy utilization; to minimize our dependence on imported energy; and to enhance our national security. Hillebrand worked in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy where he served as Senior Policy Advisor. He was elected the 2013 President of SAE International. He earned a PhD in Mechanical Systems Engineering from Oakland University.
Eyal Rosner
Chairman, Fuel Choices Initiative, Israel
Eyal is the head of the National program serving as a catalyst for reduction of global dependency on oil by establishing Israel as a center in the field. Eyal is heading the steering committee and responsible for the operation including synchronizing nine government's ministries. Eyal's background include 20 years in the investment and business world, including 4 years as the CEO of a $3 billion privately owned company, control among others El Al – Israel Air Line.
Eyal was responsible for the purchase of EL AL, Tambour paint and Granite and served as a board member. Prior, Eyal was VP at Bankers Trust for 5 years and a navy captain.
Benjamin Netanyahu
Prime Minister of Israel
Dr. Rebecca Boudreaux
President, Oberon Fuels
Trained as a chemist, Rebecca Boudreaux, Ph.D. has served on the management team or Board of startup companies in the clean-tech, life sciences, and high-tech sectors. Presently, she is President & Director of Oberon Fuels, a US-based company making DME as a cleaner, alternative to diesel. Dr. Boudreaux has a broad range of experience, having performed research at MIT, Princeton University, University of Southern Mississippi, and National Starch and Chemical. She earned a B.S. in Polymer Science (University of Southern Mississippi) and a M.S. and Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Engineering (University of Massachusetts). Dr. Boudreaux has co-authored 6 publications and is a co-inventor on 12 patents and applications.
Dr. Patrick Ho Chi Ping
Deputy Chairman and Secretary General, China Energy Fund Committee
HO Chi Ping Patrick is the deputy chairman and secretary general of China Energy Fund Committee, a think-tank devoted to public diplomacy, with special emphasis on energy and culture. It is a charitable non-governmental organization with special consultative status from the United Nations Social and Economic Council. In July 2014, he was invited by Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, to serve on his High-level Advisory Group on Sustainable Transport. He was the Secretary for Home Affairs of the HKSAR Government with a policy portfolio ranging from district administration, arts and culture, youth and religious matters, to overall liaison with the civil society.
Gal Luft
Co-Director, Institute for the Analysis of Global Security
Dr. Gal Luft is co-director of the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security (IAGS) a Washington based think tank focused on energy security, and a senior adviser to the United States Energy Security Council, a cabinet level exta governmental advisory committee. He is also co-chairman of the Global Forum on Energy Security. He specializes in strategy, geopolitics, energy security, natural resources and economic warfare.
Bracha Halaf
Acting Chief Scientist Ministry of National Infrastructure, Energy and Water Resources, Israel
Dr. Bracha Halaf is the Chief Scientist and Senior Manager of Oil Replacement Program at the Ministry of National Infrastructures, Energy and Water resources. Bracha also serves as the Head of the National Coal Ash Board and a member at the Natural Gas Authority Council. Prior to that position she was the Scientific Advisor to the Director General of the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, Mr. Shaul Zemach. In 2009, Dr. Halaf received her Ph.D in Biophysics from the Weizmann Institute of Science. In addition, Dr. Halaf holds M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from Ben Gurion University of the Negev.
Gerald Jay Sanders
Chairman and CEO, SkyTran Inc
Gerald (“Jerry”) Sanders, a former Israeli Navy SEAL and advisor to Israel’s government, is the Chairman and CEO of SkyTran Inc., a NASA Space Act company. Sanders, the subject of a popular Harvard Business School case study on entrepreneurship (HBS 9-498-021), is an honors graduate of Queens College and of The University of Texas Law School, and a Certificant in German Socio-economics (Goethe Institute), and in Comparative Constitutional Law (National Autonomous University of Mexico).
Sanders, a US State Department accredited Honorary Consul for The Republic of Haiti, is also an Associate Fellow and faculty member (Entrepreneurship) at Oxford University’s Saïd Graduate School of Business.
Prof. Moti Herskowitz
Director, Blechner Ctr for Ind. Catal. & Proc. Devel., BGU, Israel
Moti Herskowitz is professor of chemical engineering and researcher in the fields of advanced materials, heterogeneous catalysis and renewable fuels. He established the Blechner Center for Industrial Catalysis and Process Development in 1995 and has been its director
(http://in.bgu.ac.il/en/indcat/Pages/default.aspx). He published over 130 papers and 24 patents based on basic and applied research. Many publications are related to advanced catalytic materials and processes in general and their application in the production of novel renewable and sustainable fuels in particular. Professor Herskowitz has led many projects related to alternative and renewable fuels. ExxonMobil announced a few years ago that the Blechner Center was a partner in the development of a breakthrough technology that facilitates on-board generation of hydrogen.
Dr. Donald L. Smith
Director and CEO, BioFuelNet Canada; Director, McGill Network for Innovation in Biofuels and Bioproducts
During his 30 years at McGill Donald L. Smith (James McGill Professor) has conducted research in the production and physiology of crop plants, with an emphasis on plant-microbe interactions, most recently, within the context of biofuel feedstock production. He has trained 65 graduate students, 38 Ph.D. and 27 M.Sc, published 295 papers, generated eleven patents, started a spin-off company (Bios Agriculture Inc.), and commercialized technologies that are now applied to ~30 million ha of crop land per year. He has been principal investigator on research grants totaling >$45 million. He currently leads the NCE BioFuelNet Canada ($12 million per year).
Shahar Waiser
Founder and CEO, Gett
Shahar Waiser is a serial entrepreneur. In 2000 - Founded Russian entity of Comverse and served as its first CEO with a $300M record in total sales. In 2005 founded and successfully sold Loyalize, a social engagement & loyalty start-up based in SF (acquired by Viggle). In 2010 he founded Gett (GetTaxi) on-demand service operating in 52 cities, including: NY, UK, Israel, Moscow and St. Petersburg. Gett is expected to hit $500M in Revenues by Dec’15 and keep growing by 300% per annum. In 2013 Gett was selected by FORBES as one of the fastest growing companies in the world.
Dr. Giovani De Santi
Director, Institute for Energy and Transport, Joint Research Centre, European Commission
Giovanni De Santi is the director of the Institute for Energy and Transport (IET) at the Joint Research Centre, European Commission, based in Petten (The Netherlands) and Ispra (Italy). The mission of the JRC-IET is to provide the EU policies with independent, evidence-based scientific and technical support to ensure sustainable, safe, secure and efficient energy production, distribution and use and to foster sustainable and efficient transport in Europe, working in close cooperation with policy DGs, the Member States, the Scientific community and International partners. Dr. De Santi has been working for JRC since 1985. He holds a university degree in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering from University of Pisa and a PhD degree in fluidodynamics from Technical University of Munich.
Virgilio Cerutti
Vice President, Business Development Central Coordination, FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles)
Mr. Virgilio Cerutti has been Vice President Group Business Development at FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) since February 2013. He served as CEO at several Magneti Marelli’s Business Lines and he served as CEO for Latin America for the entire Magneti Marelli Group from 2008 to 2012. He held several position within Fiat Group as Vice President Purchasing and Vice President Corporate Initiatives. Prior to these positions he held positions at Teksid, Lear Corporation, Officine Giordano and Trade Component Systems. He holds an High School Diploma in Engineering from the Engineering School C. Olivetti of Ivrea, a Degree in Political Science from the University of Turin, as well as a Master in Business Administration from the University of Bologna.
Mr. Mineyuki Fukuda
House of Representatives of the National Diet of Japan
Mr. Fukuda is a member of House of Representative, the National Diet of Japan. He assumed the position of the Special Advisor to the Minister of State for Special Missions, Cabinet Office. Under his capacity, he takes strong leadership for hydrogen energy initiative and My Number System. As Chief Secretary, he established the LDP Policy Study Group for Hydrogen Energy Society focusing on Fuel Cell Vehicle through robust coordination among various stakeholders. Furthermore, he is also in charge of implementing the nation-wide IT infrastructure project called My Number System while addressing the potential risks of cyber security issues.
MK Mr. Avi Gabbay
Minister of Environmental Protection
Mr. Avi Gabbay (born 22 February 1967) was appointed Minister of Environmental Protection on May 14, 2015. He is a member of the Kulanu party but is not member of the Knesset. Gabbay is married and has three children.
Professional Experience
1994-1998 Head of Communications and IT Team, Budget Division, Ministry of Finance
1998-2003 Adviser to the CEO; Deputy CEO for Human Resources; Deputy CEO for Economics and Strategy, Bezeq Group (Telecom)
2003-2007 CEO, Bezeq International (Bezeq subsidiary)
2007-2013 CEO, Bezeq Group
Public Roles
2014 Chairman of public enquiry committee on the financial collapse of Hadassah hospital
Among founders of the new Kulanu party
Education
Hebrew University, Jerusalem, MBA
Hebrew University, Jerusalem, BA in Economics
Ziv Aviram
Co-founder, President and CEO of Mobileye and OrCam
In 1999 Mr. Ziv Aviram co-founded Mobileye, an Israeli company developing a system-on-chip and computer vision algorithms for a driving assistance system, providing a full range of active safety features using a single camera. Today 90% of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers rely on Mobileye technology to make their vehicles safer to drive. In August 2014, Mobileye claimed the title for largest Israeli IPO ever, by raising $1B at a market cap of $5.3B, which has since soared to almost $13B. In addition, Mobileye’s revolutionary autonomous driving technology will be available for the public starting this year and is going to completely change the way people will drive cars in the future.
In 2010 Mr. Aviram co-founded OrCam with a clear mission - harness the power of artificial vision to assist people who are visually impaired or blind. Based on advanced machine perception and artificial intelligence capabilities, the OrCam device is unique in its ability to provide visual aid to hundreds of millions of people, through a discreet wearable platform. Within its wide-ranging scope of capabilities, OrCam’s device can read most texts (both indoors and outdoors) and learn to recognize thousands of new items and faces.
Mr. Aviram earned a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Management from Ben-Gurion University. Prior to Mobileye, Mr. Aviram was the CEO of three Israeli companies, all leaders in their fields, (Keter – Retail Chain, Gali – Retail Chain, Attrakzia).
Anne Korin
Co-director, Institute for the Analysis of Global Security (IAGS)
Anne Korin is co-director of the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security (IAGS) and senior adviser to the United States Energy Security Council. She appears in the media frequently and has written articles for Foreign Affairs, The American Interest, The National Review, The Wall Street Journal, Commentary Magazine, and the Journal of International Security Affairs. She is co-author of Energy Security Challenges for the 21st Century (2009,) Turning Oil into Salt: Energy Independence through Fuel Choice (2009) and Petropoly: The Collapse of America's Energy Security Paradigm (2012).
Daniel Amir
Managing Director, Technology Equity Research, Ladenburg Thalman
Mr. Amir is a Managing Director at Ladenburg Thalmann and covers the IoT and Hardware sector. He has over 15 years of experience in senior analyst roles at Lazard, WR Hambrecht, Bear Stearns and J.P. Morgan. Mr. Amir is frequently quoted by media outlets and was recognized by Zacks in 2006 as the top semiconductor stock picker in Wall Street. Prior to Wall Street, he worked in Israel in the Department of Treasury and the Israeli Air Force. Mr. Amir received his M.B.A. from UCLA and his BA from the Hebrew University in Economics and International Relations.
Dr. Michael A. Tamor
Henry Ford Technical Fellow, Energy Systems & Sustainability, Ford Motor Company
Mike Tamor received his PhD in Physics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1982, whereupon he joined the Ford Scientific Research Laboratory. Starting in 1994, he led research and development of hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and fuel cell (FCV) propulsion systems. In 2013 he was appointed Henry Ford Technical Fellow for Energy Systems and Sustainability. His present responsibilities include studies of future mobility needs, the integration of the stationary and mobile energy economies, and pathways to renewable transportation fuel.
Nadine LeClair
Senior Vice President of Vehicle Engineering Develpment, Renault Group
Ms. Nadine LeClair serves as Expert Fellow of Renault since April 2015. Ms. Leclair began her career at Sligos as a Research Engineer before joining Renault in 1984 as a CAD Engineer. She served as Manager of Body-in-white Engineering from 1999 to 2005. She served as Technical Manager for the Mégane Range since 2005. On January 2, 2008, Ms. Leclair became Vice President of Vehicle Engineering. On September 1, 2008, she was appointed to Renault's Management Committee. On 2013, She serves as Senior Vice-President of Vehicle Engineering Development of Renault.
Dr. Hanno Butsch
Head, International Cooperation at National Organization for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology GmbH
Dr. Hanno Butsch studied environmental planning with focus on technological issues at the UmweltCampus Birkenfeld (Trier University, Germany). He earned his PhD in material science in liaising with Freudenberg Fuel Cell Component Technologies KG from the Technical University of Darmstadt 2012, Germany. Mr. Butsch began his professional career at Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership (FNGP) where he was managing the fuel cell laboratory in Plymouth, MI, USA. In June 2012 he joined the National Organization for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NOW GmbH) and is responsible for International Affairs including development of intergovernmental and industrial exchange.
Mr. Butsch is an official German delegate in several European and international committees such as the International Partnership for Hydrogen in the Economy (IPHE) and the Government Support Group (GSG).
Eric Feunteun
Electric Vehicle Global Program Director, Renault Group
Eric Feunteun is 41. He has a 17 years experience in operations in Renault, including Supply Chain and Sales. Recently he served as Chief of Staff to Renault Chief Operating Officer. After 2 years as Global Program Director for Electric Kangoo and Twizy, he took over the Global responsibility of Renault Group Electric Vehicles in April 2015. He is responsible the Electrical vehicle business including both current business and new development in term on countries, technology and vehicles.
Secretary Anthony Foxx
United States Secretary of Transportation
Anthony Foxx, nominated by President Obama, became the 17th United States Secretary of Transportation in 2013. As Secretary of Transportation, he leads an agency with more than 55,000 employees and a $70 billion budget that oversees air, maritime, and surface transportation. His primary goal is to ensure that America maintains the safest, most efficient transportation system in the world. Previously, Secretary Foxx served as the mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina. During that time, he made efficient and innovative transportation investments the centerpiece of Charlotte's job creation and economic recovery efforts.
MK Mr. Ofir Akunis
Minister of Science, Technology and Space
Ofir Akunis was born in Tel Aviv in 1973. Prior to entering politics, he served in the IDF as a military journalist in the Department of the Head Educational Officer, and earned a B.A. in International Relations and Political Science. A former spokesman for the Likud, he served as Media Consultant to Likud Chairman Netanyahu, Advisor to the Minister of Finance, and Advisor to the Minister of Justice. He was elected to the Knesset in February 2009, serving as Deputy Speaker of the Knesset, Chair of the Knesset Economic Affairs Committee, and a member of various other committees. In March 2013 Ofir Akunis was appointed Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Office. In December 2014 he was also appointed Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection. In May 2015 he was appointed Minister and in September 2015, Minister of Science and Technology. He is married and a father of two.
Tom De Vleesschauwer
Transport & Mobility Practice Leader; Director of Long Term Planning & Sustainability, IHS Automotive
Tom De Vleesschauwer is the leader of the Transport & Mobility practice at IHS Automotive based in London; where he also directs the long-term planning & sustainability activities. Mr. De Vleesschauwer has been involved in the international automotive industry for almost 20 years and is currently responsible for both long-term market research and business consulting projects in the mobility sector. He has contributed to many special projects assessing technical, business, regulatory and societal trends to help senior management improve their decision-making; assisted automotive manufacturers, suppliers, NGOs and government agencies, including European Commission and Parliament.
Dr. Anat Lea Bonshtien
Technology and Regulation Manager, Fuel Choices Initiative, Prime Minister's Office
Dr. Anat Lea Bonshtien is the Senior Manager of Technology and Regulation at the Fuel Choices Initiative, Israel's Prime Minister's Office. Dr. Bonshtien is heading and coordinating the inter-ministerial team in charge of pilots and demonstration process of alternative fuels and alternative mobility technologies. She is also heading the academic program under the Initiative with a focus on creating the Israeli Biofuels Academic Program. In addition, Dr. Bonshtien is in the board of directors of the Israeli Smart Transportation Center. She is also a member of the National Science Committee for Energy under the Ministry of Science and Technology. Dr. Bonshtien is a former Mimshak Fellow, a science and policy fellowship program which integrates scientific knowledge with decision making. Dr. Bonshtien holds a MSc and a PhD in Biochemistry from Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
Prof. John B Goodenough
Virginia H. Cockrell Centennial Chair in Engineering
John Goodenough joined The University of Texas at Austin in 1986. He is known around the world for his pioneering work that led to the invention of the rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
He identified and developed the critical materials that provided the high-energy density needed to power portable electronics, initiating the wireless revolution. Today, batteries incorporating Goodenough’s cathode materials are used worldwide for mobile phones, power tools, laptops, tablets and other wireless devices, as well as electric and hybrid vehicles.
Goodenough currently serves as the Virginia H. Cockrell Centennial Chair of Engineering in the Cockrell School of Engineering at UT Austin. Along with other materials scientists and engineers in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, he continues to research battery materials. He studies the relationships between the chemical, structural and electrical properties of solids, addressing fundamental solid-state problems in order to design new materials that can enable an engineering function.
Dr. Jay D Keasling
University of California, Berkeley, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Jay Keasling is the Hubbard Howe Jr. Distinguished Professor of Biochemical Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley in the Departments of Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, senior faculty scientist and Associate Laboratory Director for Biosciences at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Chief Executive Officer of the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), and director of the Synthetic Biology Engineering Research Center (SynBERC). Dr. Keasling’s research focuses on the metabolic engineering of microorganisms for degradation of environmental contaminants or for environmentally friendly synthesis of drugs, chemicals, and fuels. Dr. Keasling received a B.S. in Chemistry and Biology from the University of Nebraska and M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan, and did post-doctoral research in biochemistry at Stanford University. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Inventors. Dr. Keasling has won numerous awards, including the Innovator Award – Biosciences from the Economist Magazine in 2014, the Eni Renewable Energy Prize from Eni S.p.A. in 2014, the George Washington Carver Award for Innovation in Industrial Biotechnology from the Biotechnology Industry Organization in 2013, the Promega Biotechnology Research Award from the American Society for Microbiology in 2013, the Heinz Award for Technology, the Economy and Employment from the Heinz Family Foundation in 2012, International Metabolic Engineering Award from the Metabolic Engineering Society in 2012, Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award from the United States Environmental Protection Agency in 2010, the Inaugural Biotech Humanitarian Award from the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) in 2009, Scientist of the Year from Discover Magazine in 2006, and the Technology Pioneer Award from the World Economic Forum in 2005. Dr. Keasling is the founder of Amyris, LS9, and Lygos.
Dr. Joachim Kolling
Vice President Energy Services, BMW Group
Dr. Joachim Kolling specializes in delivering future automobile and mobility concepts. He was born in 1964 in Cologne, Germany and studied aerospace technology at the Technical University of Munich. His PhD is in the field of Computer Simulated Human Behavior in Automobile Ergonomics. In 1992, he joined the BMW Design unit and worked on ergonomics for BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce. In 2003 he founded and headed the design project management unit in charge of implementing new design processes for all BMW Group brands. From 2005 on, Joachim was responsible for BMW Group´s Advanced Design Studio. In 2008 Joachim joined the BMW Group project i team and accounted for the first design concept of the Mega City Vehicle as well as the associated new forms of collaboration and creative processes. He entered BMW Mobility Services in 2010 and was responsible for BMW Group´s car sharing projects including DriveNow. 2015 he took a new responsibility for businesses around energy services.
Saar Shafir
Deputy Managing Director, Fuel Choices Initiative
The Initiative aims to serve as a catalyst for reduction of dependency on crude oil by establishing Israel as a center of knowledge and industrial best practices in the field of fuel alternatives and smart mobility. The $400M program engages in various activities, including funding basic R&D and pilot and demonstration projects, supporting the Israeli entrepreneurial community, investing in firms and adapting overall governmental regulation to facilitate markets penetration of alternative fuels in transportation.
Itamar Orlandi
Head of Applied Research, Bloomberg New Energy Finance
Itamar serves as Head of Applied Research at Bloomberg New Energy Finance. He works with the firm's sector experts and economic modelling teams, providing customized research on renewable energy, commodity markets and business strategy. His recent work included market outlooks for solar energy, strategic analysis for major energy companies and an assessment of business models in off-grid solar markets. Itamar previously worked in the investment banking and wealth management division at UBS. Itamar holds an MSc in Environmental Policy and Regulation from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Jambu Palaniappan
Regional General Manager, Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa, Uber
Jambu Palaniappan is the Regional General Manager for Uber in the Middle East, Africa and Central Eastern Europe. In this role, Jambu oversees market strategy, expansion and operations for over 25 cities in the region. He joined Uber in the summer of 2012 and has been a key part of Uber's growth into almost 350 cities across 60+ countries worldwide. Jambu grew up in Silicon Valley and studied Public Policy and Economics at Vanderbilt University, before going on to work in corporate development.
Anja van Niersen
CEO, Allego BV
Anja van Niersen has worked in the field of energy since 2010 when she started working at one of the largest energy operator networks in the Netherlands, Alliander. Experienced in the field of product development and management she felt right at home in the upcoming innovative world of electro mobility and during her years at Alliander she learnt more and more about this world. She became CEO of Allego in 2013 and is accelerating e-mobility at this international charge point operator for the last 2 years. At Allego Anja and her colleagues work for municipalities, businesses and transport companies to enable zero emission mobility for a sustainable world.
Dr. Veit Steinle
Director-General, Departmental Policy Issues, German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure
Dr. Veit Steinle studied Political Science, Geography and Sociology and holds a doctorate in Philosophy. He worked for the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group in the Bundestag and was inter alia Head of the Political Staff and Press Spokesperson of the Federal Ministry of Research and Technology and the Federal Ministry of Transport. Since 2010, he is Director-General, Departmental Policy Issues at the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (previously: Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development, Berlin).
Dr. John W. Richmond
Group Chief Engineer – Mechanical Systems, Office of the Chief Technology Officer, Tata Sons
John is Chief Engineer – Mechanical Systems in the Tata Group Technology Office (GTO). The GTO is responsible for technology strategy for the Tata Group as well as and developing and delivering innovative products and services. John has a background of working upon sustainable transportation and was one of the organisers of the recent 1st Indian Conference on Sustainable Fuels.
Andrej Heinke
Future Research and Technology Strategy (CR/FUR), Bosch GmbH
Andrej Heinke is Director of Future Research and Technology Strategy at Robert Bosch GmbH in Stuttgart, Germany. His topics include megatrends and mobility scenarios. Previously, he worked for Daimler AG, SONY Corp. and the Policy Planning Staff of the German Foreign Ministry. Heinke holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from Free University of Berlin and a MPA from Harvard University.
Dr. Emma J. Silke
Head of Strategy & Business Development, ESB ecars
Dr. Silke is currently Head of Strategy & Business Development at ESB ecars, the business line of the Irish utility, ESB, that owns and operates the EV charging infrastructure in Ireland, and is advancing commercial electromobility opportunities in Ireland and elsewhere. She has worked in the international energy sector since 2004 and has a broad range of expertise from engineering consultancy, commercial management, project management, strategy and risk management. Dr Silke has spent significant time in USA, Africa and Europe in particular, holding a number of previous management positions for ESB International, ESB’s international engineering consultancy arm. Dr Silke holds a Ph.D. combustion engineering, and has extensive technical experience and a number of publications in the area of fuel modeling and engine simulation, having also spent a 3 year term at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in CA, USA.
Dr. Michael Lindenbaum
Vice President of Technology, Agrisoma Biosciences Inc.
Michael Lindenbaum is the Vice President of Technology for Agrisoma Biosciences Inc., a Canadian company that is focused on the development and commercialization of Brassica carinata as a dedicated energy feedstock crop. Michael has worked in the biotechnology industry for over 15 years, the last 10 as part of Agrisoma’s management team. Michael received a PhD in Biochemistry from McGill University in 1988, has authored or co-authored over 20 papers and reviews in peer reviewed scientific journals and is listed as an inventor on numerous US and international patents and patent applications.
Zviya Baron
Principal, PetroQuantum B.V. and Consultant to the National Energy R&D Council, MOLMOP
Ms. Zviya Baron, an Energy Innovation and Policy expert, serves as Principal at PetroQuantum. She serves as Director of Alternative Energy and leads this activity in Israel and internationally. Using her 15 years of energy experience, she is specialized in designing policies and strategies to promote energy innovation, at the country level and at the corporate level. Her major assignment is as the advisor of the National Energy committee at the Israeli National R&D Council. Ms. Baron earned her BA at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and her MBA at the Erasmus University of the Netherlands.
Oren Shoval
CTO / Co-Founder, Via
Oren Shoval is the co-founder and CTO of Via, a fully dynamic, on-demand transit network currently operational in NYC. He is a former strategy business consultant at McKinsey, and has spent 10 years in the Israeli Air Force developing and deploying real-time avionic systems for fighter jets. Oren holds a PhD from the Weizmann Institute of Science where he focused on finding simplifying patterns in complex biological phenomena. He also holds an MSc in electrical engineering and a BSc in physics and math.
Dr. Efrat Oron
Scientific advisor, Mimshak Fellow, Fuel Choices Initiative
Dr. Efrat Oron is the Director of Research and Outreach at the Manna Center for Food safety and security in Tel Aviv University. Dr. Oron was a scientific advisor at the Fuel Choices Initiative. She is also a former Mimshak Fellow, a science and policy fellowship program which integrates scientific knowledge with decision making. Dr. Oron holds an MSc and a PhD in Molecular Biology from Tel-Aviv University, Israel and was a postdoctoral fellow at Yale University, USA and a researcher at the University of California, Santa Barbara, USA.
Jean-Michel Lavoie
Département de génie chimique et de génie biotechnologique, Université de Sherbrooke
After a B.Sc in chemistry, Dr. JM Lavoie followed his academic training with a MSc and a Ph.D in wood science and technology at Université Laval (Québec) under the supervision of Pr. Tatjana Stevanovic (1997-2005). From 2005 to 2007, he worked as an Assistant Professor in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department at Université de Moncton (New-Brunswick). In 2007, he decided to go back to training, joining the team of world-renowned Pr. Esteban Chornet as a postdoctoral fellow at Université de Sherbrooke. He pursued his research work in the field of biomass conversion as PDF for two years before joining the Department as Assistant Professor. From 2009 to 2012, he was Chairholder of the Industrial Research Chair on Cellulosic Ethanol, a Chair closely linked to the biofuel industry in Québec, and involving partners such as Enerkem, Ethanol GreenField Québec Inc., and CRB Innovations. In 2011, he was promoted to Associate Professor and is now Chairholder of the Industrial Research Chair on Biofuels and Biocommodities. In addition to the previously mentioned industrial partners, Pr. Lavoie also works with such collaborators as Hydro Québec, Cascades and Jungbunzlauer. His research work, essentially dedicated to the conversion of biomass, involves both biological, and thermal conversion. He is also act as the Gasification Project leader as well as the Thermochemical Biorefinery task force leader for BioFuelNet, an NCE network. He also acts as editor of Frontier’s Journal in Chemical Engineering. He is adjunct professor for the Département de génie chimique at Université Laval (Québec) as well as for the Department of process engineering at Memorial University (Newfoundland). He is co-author of more than 40 publications and 10 patents. He leads a team of 45 students from scientific and engineering backgrounds in an industry-academia training model.