Speakers at WAITRO Summit 2026
Meet the experts, researchers, innovators, and leaders who will contribute their knowledge and perspectives to the WAITRO Summit 2026. Explore the full lineup of speakers and discover the people shaping discussions around co-creation, innovation, climate action, and sustainable development.
Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal
Rector of the Istanbul Technical University, WAITRO President
Prof. Qing Liu
Director NICE (National Innovation Center par Excellence), President of JITRI (Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute) and SYDII (Shanghai Yangtze Delta Innovation Institute)
Kıvanç Zaimler
Board Member and CEO, Sabancı Holding
Prof. Brando Okolo
Head of STI (Science, Technology and Innovation) at AUDA-NEPAD (African Union Development Agency)
Michael Browne
CEO & Founding Partner, Crowdhelix
Santiago Echavarria
Director, Centro de Ciencia y Tecnología de Antioquia (CTA)
Martha Liliana Marin
Innovation and international Cooperation Lead, Centro de Ciencia y Tecnología de Antioquia (CTA)
Eng. Rana Ardah
Manager of Water Studies Division, Water, Environment & Climate Change Centre, Royal Scientific Society (RSS)
Eng. Omar AlSaleh
Senior Circular Economy & Sustainability Expert, Water, Environment & Climate Change Centre, Royal Scientific Society (RSS)
Nancy Rampaphorn
Deputy Director of Engagement & Technology Marketing, Technology Transfer Office, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Dr. Rochana Tangkoonboribun
Deputy Governor for Strategy and Innovation, Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR)
Dr. Waraporn Sorndech
Senior Research Officer, Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR)
ChM. Dr. Norshidah Baharuddin
Senior Director, Strategy Planning & Transformation, Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM Berhad)
Isnazunita Binti Ismail
Senior Director, Energy & Environment Centre, Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM Berhad)
Palesa Kganane
Senior Programme Coordinator, Strategic Partnerships, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR South Africa)
Prof. Mbang Sama
Global Head of Digitalization, Mercedes-Benz; Executive President, Digital Transformation Alliance (DTA)
Prof. Fazilet Vardar
Vice President of the Executive Committee, USIMP; Coordinator for Research Partnerships and Innovation, Izmir University of Economics
Prof. Ahu Altinkut Uncuoğlu
Vice President, Executive Board, USIMP; Professor of Bioengineering, Marmara University
Lupe Leal
Science and Technology Analyst, International Cooperation, National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq)
Prof. Deniz Tunçalp
Professor of Management & Organizations, Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ)
Dr. Benjin Luo
Secretary General of WAITRO, Chief Expert of Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute (JITRI)
Jean-Marc Champagne
Principal and Managing Director, Seneca Impact Advisors
Johan Moyersoen
Founder and General Manager, Impact Licensing Initiative
Bruno Vandermeulen
Senior IP Director, Impact Licensing Initiative
Dr. Silvie Daniels
Strategic Partnerships & Impact Assessment, Impact Licensing Initiative
Dominik Reinertz
Managing Director, WAITRO Operations e.V.
Ivana Vuka
Senior Innovation Manager, Research and Innovation Services (RISE)
Dr. Zilong He
International AI & Digital Transformation Expert, UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization)
Alberto Medina
Economic Affairs Officer, United Nations Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries
Marta Poblet
Senior Research Lead, The Data Tank; Adjunct Professor, RMIT University
Tiyani Chauke
Stakeholder Engagement Manager, National Research Foundation (NRF), South Africa
Prof. Abuya Joshua Olang’o
Associate Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management; Acting Registrar (Planning, Partnerships, Research & Innovation), Kibabii University, Kenya
Prof. Ditiro Benson Moalafhi
Associate Professor of WRM (Water Resources Management) and Dean of FGRS (Faculty of Research and Graduate Studies) at BUAN (Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources)
Dr. Philemon Kwaramba
Director of P&RM (Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation) at SIRDC (Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre)
Dr. Ahmed Hassan Ali Abdelwahab
Researcher at PPRI (Plant Protection Research Institute), ARC (Agricultural Research Center), Leader of the ARC (Agricultural Research Center) Team for WAITRO Collaboration
Engr. Umar Ramadan Zakari
Director of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) and Head of GT-Hub (Green-Tech and Entrepreneurship Hub) at Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna, Nigeria