IFA Annual Conference 2024

Li Qian

Biocontrol product development manager

Syngenta Biologicals

Romy Ursúa Monreal

CEO

IKAN Consultores

Romy is a regulatory and legal expert with more than 13 years of experience in Mexico’s crop protection and biologicals industry. As CEO of IKAN Consultores, part of the LATAM Regulatory Network, she defines the firm’s strategic vision and leads the development of regulatory and compliance strategies that help national and international clients achieve market access and regulatory alignment across Latin America. She also serves as Chair of the Crop Protection Commission at the Mexican Association of Professionals in Health Regulation (AMEPRES). Her leadership has positioned IKAN as a strategic partner for national and international companies seeking to operate within complex regulatory frameworks in Mexico and Latin America. Romy holds a Law degree, postgraduate studies in Administrative and Health Law, and a diploma in Customs Administration from Tecnológico de Monterrey, strengthening her focus on trade, regulatory compliance, and customs management.

Dr. Rao Chitong

Partner and Chief Scientist

Bluepha

• Bachelor of Science in Biology, Peking University; Ph.D. in Microbiology, University of Toronto; Postdoctoral Fellow in Microbiome Research, Harvard Medical School. • Published over 20 papers in top-tier international journals such as Natureand Cell. • Awarded the 2021 National Award for Outstanding Self-Financed International Students. • Recipient of the 2021 Distinguished Research Award from the Chinese Scholars and Experts Association at Harvard Medical School. • Awarded the 2022 National-Level Overseas Young Talents Project; previously served as an Associate Professor at the Health Science Center of Peking University before joining Bluepha as a full-time Chief Scientist. • Recipient of the 2023 Shanghai Magnolia Talent Program. • Awarded the 2024 Shanghai Science and Technology Rising Star Program.

Jonathan Ramsey Etherington

CEO – Africa

Microbial Biological Fertilizers International (MBFi)

Jonathan Etherington is the founder and CEO of Microbial Biological Fertilizers International (MBFi), a leading multinational agricultural technologies company. Established in 2003, MBFi has grown under Jonathan’s leadership into a globally recognized organization, now encompassing nine entities worldwide under the Vertium Group. With a strong vision and a deep commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural practices, Jonathan has successfully steered MBFi through two decades of growth and innovation. Jonathan has cultivated a team of highly skilled professionals dedicated to transforming the agricultural market through cutting-edge, science-based research and development. Jonathan’s expertise is grounded in his hands-on experience in scientific research and trial management. As the study director, he has overseen 1,500 statistical trials, including over 100 international trials aimed at global product development. This extensive experience has made Jonathan a recognized leader in ...