Staff

EPSO’s strategy is implemented by its members and staff.

Contact us to join our activities:

 - Science policy (EPSO, ISE, Plant ETP), members, observers, association relations: Karin Metzlaff

 - Conferences & office: Katarina Karkala

 - Internal & External publications: Astrid Sneyers

 - EPSO finances, EU projects: Karim Trabelsi

If you have a general question or in case the person you wish to talk to is not available, please send an email to epso@epsomail.org

or call the office at: +32 22 13 62 60

Karin Metzlaff – Executive Director

Karin has been the executive director of EPSO since its creation in 2001. She works with the EPSO members and other partners to promote plant research in the European science policy arena by providing advice and recommendations to politicians at European, multinational and national level. Karin is a member of the Executive Committee of the European Technology Platform ‘Plants for the Future’ and represents EPSO in the Initiative for Science in Europe, ISE. Karin is responsible for all member, observer and association relations of EPSO.

Before creating EPSO, Karin has been project manager of twelve EU-funded plant research projects for two years. Karin has postdoctoral experience in various areas of plant sciences at the John Innes Centre Norwich (United Kingdom), the Federal Health Office (Germany) and the Martin-Luther University Halle (Germany). She obtained her PhD in plant genetics at the Martin-Luther University Halle.

Executive assistant

Until September 2013, the current EPSO staff will take over all Executive Assistant duties. Katerina Karkala is responsible for the day-to-day management of the EPSO office and from October 2013 on, she will take over all Executive Assistant duties and be the main EPSO contact person for any administration and general queries. In the meantime, please contact Astrid Sneyers for questions about personal membership and Karin Metzlaff as well as Karim Trabelsi for institutional membership.

Katerina - Conference Officer

Katerina Karkala is the Conference officer of EPSO, responsible for the 7^th EPSO Conference, which will take place from 1-4 September 2013 in Porto Heli, Greece.

Katerina joined EPSO in August 2012. She is responsible for all non-scientific issues related to the conference: organisation of the conference, questions related to the venue, the conference center and the hotel, support for scientific programme development, speakers invitation, participants registration, abstract submissions, excursions and transfers, abstract book printing, financial management, and last but not least running the event.

In addition, she is responsible for the day-to-day management of the EPSO office and frome October 2013 on, she will take over all Executive Assistant duties and be the main EPSO contact person.

Katerina holds a professional master’s degree in French as a Foreign Language from Paris X – Nanterre and a master’s degree in Ecumenical Theology from the University of Thessaloniki. She has worked for many years in different Conference Centers as a Study and Conference Leader. She is fluent in Greek, German, French and English.

Astrid - Publications Officer

Astrid Sneyers is our publication & policy officer. Her main responsibilities include writing and editing articles for the bimonthly EPSO e-newsletter as well as for other media and journals. Furthermore, she assists with the policy work of the European Innovation Platform for Agriculture and Sustainability. She is also responsible for the management of the EPSO website. In addition, she handles the public relations work for the biannual conference.

Astrid obtained a Master degree in Bio-engineering in 2006 and a Master degree in International Relations and Conflictmanagement in 2007, both at University of Leuven. Furthermore, she holds an Advanced Degree in Economics, with specialization in Agricultural and Food Policy and Development Economics. Astrid is fluent in Dutch, English, French and Spanish.

Astrid joined EPSO since March 2012. Previously, she worked as a research assistant at LICOS, Centre for Institutions and Economic Performance (University of Leuven). In addition, she worked for more than 2 years as a Product- & Project Engineer at VWR International.

Karim - Financial Officer

Karim Trabelsi is our financial officer.  He is responsible for the financial, legal and administrative aspects of our EU projects, the accounting and bookkeeping for EPSO, and for the organisation of our workshops and brainstorms. In addition, he is the financial administrator for the ‘Plants for the Future’ ETP.

Karim is fluent in English and French and holds a Masters degree in Economics from Trinity College Dublin.

Prior to working for EPSO, he worked for 3 years at the European Commission as Financial Officer on ICT projects within DG Information Society.