Sofie Goormachtig is UGent Professor and PI at the VIB-UGENT Centre for Plant Systems Biology. Her research focuses on how interactions between plant roots and neighbouring organisms positively influence plant growth. The team combines root microbiome analysis with proteomics, transcriptomics, genetic approaches and high-throughput phenotyping to elucidate the mechanisms by which microbes help plants grow under adverse conditions. Her group is currently undertaking major initiatives to introduce soybean as a new crop in north-western Europe.  She has a strong interest in the validation of basic science and has contributed to the start-up companies Aphea.Bio (www.aphea.bio) and Protealis (www.protealis.be).

Agronomist, with M.Sc., Ph.D and post-doc in Soil Microbiology. Researcher at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), at the Soybean Center in Londrina, Paraná State, since 1991. Professor of postgraduate courses of Microbiology and Biotechnology at the State University of Londrina (UEL) since 1992. Member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (ABC), of the Brazilian Academy of Agricultural Science (ABCA) and of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS). Received more than 30 national and international awards. Specialized in Soil Biotechnology, with an emphasis on microbial processes of biological nitrogen fixation and other PGPB. Has published more than 500 scientific papers, books, book chapters, technical communicates and released more than 30 technologies for agriculture, including bacterial strains, inoculants, inoculation techniques. CV:http://lattes.cnpq.br/7355162785040506