Core Team

Michael-Bogdan Marginanu is a biomedical scientist with 13 years of experience in research institutions worldwide, including Germany, Saudi Arabia, the UK, Ireland, Austria, the US, Switzerland, and Romania. A 2018 Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings alumnus, he co-founded the Lindau Mentoring Hub and established Biomentorhub, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to mentoring young scientists and promoting bioentrepreneurship in Romania. His scientific work is complemented by a deep commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the next generation of researchers and entrepreneurs. Michael-Bogdan’s efforts in developing bio-entrepreneurship in Romania are aimed at creating opportunities for young scientists, bridging international knowledge with local potential, and building a vibrant, supportive community for life sciences advancement.

“My mission as a co-founder, team lead and facilitator is helping each team member bring the most valuable contribution to creating a first community-driven happy culture bioscience innovation hub in Romania.”

Mihaela Madaras currently serves as an R&D Manager at Sun Chemical in Ohio, where she leads a team dedicated to developing sustainable materials. She holds a Chemical Engineering degree from Babes-Bolyai University and a PhD in Chemistry from UNC Chapel Hill, with a recent Professional Certificate in Sustainability from MIT, enhancing her capacity to address environmental challenges in the chemical industry. Mihaela’s commitment to sustainable solutions extends beyond her role at Sun Chemical, as she actively contributes to life sciences development in Romania. She serves as Chief Outreach and Diaspora Network Officer for One Health Incubator, Vice President of Biomentorhub, and a Founding Angel of RUF. Through these roles, Mihaela fosters biotechnology innovation, promotes entrepreneurship, and supports educational initiatives, working to build a thriving biotech ecosystem in Romania.

“My mission is to foster innovation and growth in Romania’s biotech sector by building strategic partnerships, attracting top talent, and connecting startups with resources. The goal is to position our incubator as a catalyst for groundbreaking research and entrepreneurship, driving economic development and advancing healthcare solutions nationwide.”

Alexandru Botos has an extensive background in biotechnology products, services, and business development. His expertise encompasses biotech service management, scientific staff coaching, and customer training, honed over the years in both startup and multinational company environments. Alexandru’s work focuses on optimising biotech operations, with a proven ability to grow biotech businesses and lead teams through complex development processes. His dedication to advancing biotechnology extends to fostering an innovative environment where service and product development are seamlessly integrated. By leveraging his experience across diverse biotechnology sectors, Alexandru contributes to advancing impactful biotech solutions. He remains committed to helping organisations navigate the challenges of biotechnology service delivery and develop strategies that align with scientific advancements and market needs.

“My mission is to empower world-class research and innovation in Romania.”

Norbert Tako is a cultural producer with a legacy of pioneering projects that blend creativity and community impact. He founded PLAI Festival, a volunteer-based event celebrating European identity, and produced concerts for global icons such as Paco De Lucia, Chick Corea, and Gregory Porter. As Director of JazzTM and creator of BEGA! (a TM2021 highlight), Norbert has brought world-class cultural experiences to Timisoara. He co-founded AMBASADA and FABER, spaces dedicated to fostering innovation and community development, and led the “building.a.community” initiative to provide sustainable spaces for artists and entrepreneurs. A TM2021 Board Member and jury visit coordinator, Norbert played a pivotal role in Timisoara’s European Capital of Culture success. His work exemplifies the power of culture and collaboration to drive meaningful social and creative change.

“My goal is to foresee, analyse and develop tools that create a positive impact within the One Health community.”

Andreea Iager Tako is passionate about connecting people, ideas, and projects to create models that drive impactful change in communities. Born and raised in Timisoara, her exposure to artistic productions and travel from a young age fostered her appreciation for diversity and creative collaboration. Andreea studied psychology and sustainable development, later applying her expertise in marketing and human resources before dedicating herself fully to community work. She co-founded PLAI Festival, AMBASADA, FABER, and ONE.shirt, a slow fashion social enterprise addressing textile pollution and promoting social inclusion. During the pandemic, she focused on creating sustainable solutions that combined environmental awareness with community impact. A member of Trans Europe Halles since 2017 and an Executive Committee Board member since 2021, Andreea continues to champion innovative, creative, and community-driven projects across Europe.

“My aim – in all the different projects and efforts I am part of, but especially in the ONE Health Incubator – is to look for the blindspots when it comes to sustainability and inclusion, engineer solutions for it and connect diverse communities to both the purpose, applicability and the impact of this driving force we are generating.”

Alexandra Lăcătușu is a researcher, designer, and educator at the intersection of architecture, biology, and technology, dedicated to dissolving traditional disciplinary boundaries. Currently undertaking an EPSRC-funded PhD within UCL’s Bio-Integrated Design Lab, her research examines the ecological role of mosses in reducing urban pollution. Integrating lab-based bryological methods, hardware engineering, and digital design, Alexandra develops innovative strategies and prototypes applicable to architecture. Alongside her research, Alexandra teaches in UCL’s Bio-Integrated Design MArch and MSc programs and serves as a tutor and examiner at the Oxford School of Architecture. Her work has gained international recognition, with exhibitions at prestigious events such as the 2018 RIBA President’s Medals and the 2021 Venice Biennale. Alexandra’s contributions to architectural and environmental design continue to push the boundaries of interdisciplinary collaboration.

“My mission is to bring people from multiple disciplines to the design table, foster new work processes, and articulate a shared vision for the future of Romanian biotech that puts us on the global map. The goal is to nurture brilliant minds, foster collaboration and put ecology and ecological thinking into everything we do.”

Adrian Radu is an accomplished engineering leader with nearly 20 years of experience in automotive and satellite communications, specializing in embedded systems, wireless technologies, and AI-driven solutions. He has collaborated with the European and Romanian Space Agencies to deliver innovative satellite communication systems and led global teams in developing advanced vehicle access technologies. As co-founder of the One Health Incubator, Adrian is dedicated to fostering biotech innovation and entrepreneurship in Romania. With a passion for integrating AI into life sciences, he combines his technical expertise and leadership experience to support the growth of a thriving biotech ecosystem.

“My mission is to help grow biotech by strengthening the local ecosystem, building practical AI and tech solutions, and supporting health-tech startups. I aim to make a real impact in healthcare by enabling new companies and researchers to tackle today’s biotech challenges.”

Cristi Cristea has over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, where he excelled in building high-performing teams and navigating complex projects to achieve impactful results. Cristi’s current focus aligns with the One Health model, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. He brings his engineering expertise and leadership skills to One Health Incubator, advocating for collaborative solutions that address health challenges holistically. By applying his industry knowledge to the life sciences, Cristi supports an integrated approach to healthcare innovation, advancing initiatives that recognize and address the broader environmental and societal implications of health tech. His work is pivotal in fostering a community that values collaborative, interdisciplinary problem-solving.

“Inspired by a non-profit organisation dedicated to mentoring young professionals in bioscience and medicine, I aim to foster a vibrant biotech community, connecting researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors to translate discoveries into real-world applications and position the region as a hub for biotech innovation to attract investment and talent to Romania’s biotech sector.”

Paul Caramidariu is an accomplished HR professional with over 18 years of experience in Human Resources Management and 12 years leading large-scale operations in industry and retail. Renowned for his transformational leadership, Paul specializes in coaching and mentoring to drive impactful change, collaborating with top retail companies in Romania and abroad to develop effective business strategies. He holds a master’s degree in Human Resources Management from the University of Westminster, London, and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt and Lean Expert, having trained over 170 professionals in these methodologies. A founding member of the West Human Resource Managers Club and a distinguished graduate of two major Romanian universities, Paul recently joined the Excelsior Alumni Foundation to strengthen connections between the University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I,” students, alumni, and the business community.

“My mission is to drive impactful transformations of the innovation and entrepreneurial environment in Romania through strategic leadership and HR expertise, fostering growth and efficiency for the teams I work with. I am dedicated to strengthening research-academia-business relations, empowering future professionals, and advancing industry standards through coaching, mentoring, and innovative solutions in Human Resources, technology and business management.”

Daniela Pavlicenco is a scientist driven by a passion for genetics, immunology, and nanomedicine, with a strong focus on translating research into clinical applications. Her current research centres on identifying cellular and molecular traits within endometrial cancer cell subpopulations that drive metastasis, targeting innovative treatments for cancer. Daniela’s commitment to bridging groundbreaking research and healthcare has led her toward biotech entrepreneurship, where she seeks to translate scientific discoveries into real-world health solutions. With a forward-looking approach, she actively engages in the scientific community, seeking collaboration and continuous learning. Daniela is motivated by a desire to positively impact patient outcomes and is eager to contribute to the advancement of personalised medicine.

“My personal mission is to help reduce the gap between fundamental scientific discoveries and their eventual application in the healthcare system. I aspire to help create an incubator that empowers startups to scale their innovative solutions, ultimately transforming lives for the better. This mission aligns with my values and interests.”