Elvira Fortunato is full professor in Materials Science Department of Faculty of Science and Technology of New University of Lisbon, a Fellow of the Portuguese Engineering Academy since 2009 and decorated with the grade of Grand Officer of the Order of Prince Henry the Navigator by the President of the Republic in 2010, due to her scientific achievements worldwide. In 2015 she was appointed by the Portuguese President Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Celebrations of the National Day of Portugal, Camões and the Portuguese Communities.

Peter Smith completed his academic studies at the Universities of London (Imperial College) and Sheffield, graduating with a Ph.D. in Physical Organic Chemistry in 1985. Upon graduation, Peter began his career in the consumer goods industry working in the Research & Development Department at Procter & Gamble. During his 27 years’ experience at P&G, Peter has worked in a wide range of product categories (ranging from toothpaste to household laundry/ cleaning products to Cosmetics and Pet Food). He has extensive experience across the different R&D disciplines and has lived in the UK, Italy, and Belgium. For the past 7 years, Peter worked at Cefic (European Chemical Industry Council) where he had responsibility for the Product Stewardship Programme, covering the EU Chemicals regulatory framework and International Chemicals Management. Since 2015, Peter has also represented the chemical industry as a Member of the Management Board of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). And since 2016, he has been a member of the Advisory Board for the Helsinki Chemicals Forum.

Prof.K. Byrappa, obtained his Master’s degree from the University of Mysore, India, and Ph.D. and Post-Doc both from Moscow State University, Russia. He has served as Vice Chancellor of Mangalore University, and currently working as the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Adichunchanagiri University, India. He is specialized in Materials Science, Nanotechnology, Chemistry of Materials and Crystallography. He has successfully guided 21 students for their Ph.D. degrees. He has some of the most highly cited papers to his credit. He was the founder Coordinator of the M.Tech. course in Materials Science, Centre for Materials Science and Technology. A renowned academician and researcher Prof. Byrappa has about 400 research publications in international peer reviewed journals and is one of the world authorities on hydrothermal technology. He has over 34 book chapters and reviews, and has edited 9 books and authored a famous Handbook of Hydrothermal Technology, published by Elsevier Publishers, UK in two editions. He is an Elected Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), London, Elected Fellow of World Academy of Ceramics, Italy, & Elected Fellow of Asia Pacific Academy of Materials. Prof. Byrappa has received several awards. In the year 2017, he was awarded Sir CV Raman Birth Centenary Award by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India.