Natacha Fontes

Natacha Fontes is R&D Manager, at Sogrape, with 15 years’ experience in both Academy and Wine Industry, with a business oriented scientific background. Natacha is a Biologist with an European PhD (University of Minho and University of Bordeaux) and has been working on a wide range of R&D projects across the entire value chain and supports company’s innovation, transformation, and business sustainable development. 

Natacha holds a position of board member at PORVID, the Portuguese Association for the Diversity of the Vine, and she is a member of an International Jury of Wine experts at Mundus Vini. Also, as an Independent Expert, Natacha assists the European Commission Research Executive Agency (EASME) with the evaluation of innovation proposals under the topics of expertise: Food and Beverages industry, biotechnology, bioeconomy, sustainability and agriculture 4.0. 

Recently she joined University of Aveiro as Invited Professor.