Alain Decroës Email & Phone Number

Orp-Jauche, Be

Seraing, Belgium

I prepare, manage, and coordinate drug development and production projects for external customers.Main tasks:- Assist Business Development team in preparing quotations and setting up initial customer contracts.- Ensure coordination between the customer and the organization.- Prepare contracts, coordinate signature and proper execution.- Ensure that the timelines and resources required to complete projects are in place, in compliance with GMP and internal/external constraints.- Be the project team leader.- Ensure compliance with project milestones. - Monitor project finances.- Assess customer satisfaction.- Contribute to continuous improvement (work methods, processes, tools, etc.).

I worked this year on the PotatoSmart project (funded by the Public Service of Wallonia), which focused on the development of innovative solutions to control potato late blight, in collaboration with CRA-W and FIWAP.- Monitoring of the spatio-temporal distribution of aerial inoculum of Phytophthora infestans using spore traps combined with a molecular test (quantitative PCR). - Scientific communications: reports, posters, and oral presentations at national and international conferences and workshops.

Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium

During 6 years, I divided my time between teaching students of the Faculty of Bioengineering (50%) and the realization of a thesis (50%) on the study of molecular interactions between an RNA virus, its protist vector, and sugar beet. Research: - Design and management of a long-term project (6 years)- Literature search and oral & written scientific communications with an international scope- Mobility: international collaboration with the European Bioinformatics Institute (Cambridge) and the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (Luxembourg) Teaching: - Practical classes in microbiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology techniques to undergraduate and master students.

During the pandemic, I volunteered to join a team in an accredited laboratory for the detection of COVID-19. I was in charge of performing RT-qPCR reactions and making the first interpretation of the results.

- Diagnosis of plant diseases/pests for professionals and private customers. Techniques: microscopy, ELISA, Immunofluorescence, PCR, RT-PCR, quantitative PCR, and in vitro culture. - Implementation and monitoring of efficacy trials of phytosanitary products under controlled conditions (biopesticides, pesticides, adjuvants...) - Advice to farmers, and other professional clients in integrated pest management- Analysis of the phytosanitary quality of various samples - Development of molecular tools for the detection of phytopathogenic agents (bacteria, fungi, viruses)- Drafting of agricultural warnings concerning fungal diseases of cereals, in the framework of a decision support system in collaboration with CEPICOP and different pilot centers and provincial agricultural extensions (CARAH, CPAR, CPL-Vegémar, OPA).- Team management (4 people)

During this first full professional experience, I had the chance to work on two research projects related to plant health.- The first one was the study of the transmission of potato viruses by aphids.- The second one aimed at understanding the molecular interactions at the origin of the beneficial effects of silicon on biotic stresses in bananas, in comparison with other crops (rice, wheat).- Techniques: RT-qPCR, molecular cloning, heterologous expressionexpression of recombinant proteins, field and greenhouse bioassays, and hydroponics.

Master [60] In Management (Shift Schedule), Management, Magna Cum Laude

This master's in management in shifted schedule allowed me to broaden my portfolio of skills, in connection with project management.

Master'S Degree, Bioengineering - Microbiology, Plant Pathology, Magna Cum Laude

Activities and Societies: Régionale Enghiennoise Topics covered: Integrated crop protection Phytoclinics Plant health Plant pathology.

Bachelor'S Degree, Bioengineering

Activities and Societies: Régionale Enghiennoise