Assist. Prof. Dr. Uroš Novak is an experienced Researcher with a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering. He is skilled in natural biomaterials, research and development (R&D), startup development, chemical engineering, and science and has more than 15 years of experience. Author of 50+ scientific articles (1700+ citations) and speaker at more than 150 events. Leader of the research group for Bioplastics, biocomposites and zero-waste technologies at the Department of Catalysis and Chemical Reaction Engineering at the National Institute of Chemistry, Slovenia. He is passionate about establishing a sustainable flow of information among stakeholders, including producing products made out of innovative natural biopolymer material with high added value and the corresponding development of services focused on the needs of the food, cosmetics, and health-related industries. Passionate for transforming science into practical solutions. Finalist of the EU social innovation challenge in 2019, further leading to the creation of 123zero startup. Co-founder in two startups and director of the non-profit NGO. Recipient of multiple national and international awards for scientific excellence, citizen and communication work, innovations, and inventions. He is the coordinator of the Horizon Europe Mission Lighthouse project REMEDIES and the principal investigator for Horizon Europe projects. In 2023, he was invited to work as an external expert for the EU Commission.