The Competence Center on Technology Transfer is part of the Unit on Industrial Strategy, Skills and Technology Transfer at the DG JRC of the European Commission.
To contact members of our team please send an e-mail to:
Meet the team
Asuncion FERNANDEZ CARRETERO
Head of Unit
Portfolio: Head of Unit, Industrial Strategy, Skills and Technology Transfer at the Joint Research Centre, which contains the Competence Centre on Technology Transfer
Alessandro FAZIO
Head of the Joint Research Centre's Competence Centre on Technology Transfer
Portfolio: Head of the Joint Research Centre's Competence Centre on Technology Transfer.
Experience: Alessandro Fazio started his career in investment banking with Deutsche Bank and Merrill Lynch. Between 2004 and 2011 Alessandro spent a number of years working in consulting and the early stage investment sector and was exposed to a wide variety of technologies and industries.
Alessandro has a keen interest in technology transfer and in how to support the growth and expansion of innovation eco-systems using a holistic approach covering capacity building, financing and infrastructure investment.
Educational background: BSc International Relations (LSE) and MSc in State, Society and Development (SOAS)
Sergio GRANDE
Innovation and Technology Transfer Officer
Portfolio:
- Exploitation, valorization and commercialization of the results of the research
- Managing research projects on EU–wide set of harmonized metrics for knowledge transfer in Universities and Research and Technology Organizations
- Industry-Research Organisations-Academia collaboration for knowledge valorisation
- Technical support in developing an EU Strategy for Technology Infrastructures
- Managing the secretariat of the European Technology Transfer Offices Circle (TTO Circle). This network brings together the technology transfer offices of major 35 Research and Technology Organizations in Europe, including the Joint Research Centre.
Experience: Sergio Grande started his carrier as researcher in marketing of new technologies at the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA). Since 2013, Sergio is technology transfer officer at the JRC's Competence Centre on Technology Transfer (CCTT), which is the single reference point for expertise and services in technology transfer (TT) at the European Commission.
Educational background: Master’s degree in Economics, Banking and Finance from University of Salento (Italy). Postgraduate Certificate in valorization of the public research results, issued by the University of Salento in collaboration with the Technological and Scientific Park, PASTIS CNRSM, Brindisi, Italy.
Recent projects:
- Towards the Implementation of an EU Strategy for Technology Infrastructures:
- Knowledge Transfer metrics:
- Opening up of RTO's research/innovation infrastructure to industry for testing, demonstration and co-creation:
Stoyan KAYMAKTCHIYSKI
Project officer
Portfolio:
- Design and operation of innovation ecosystems with a focus on Science and Technology Parks (STPs) and Innovation Districts facilitating technology transfer and knowledge diffusion (in the broader sense)
- Advisory and technical support to the services of the European Commission, to national and regional authorities as well as to innovation managers and practitioners in the Member States.
- Organisation of regional conferences related to technology transfer in South-East Europe
Experience: Stoyan worked at the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group in Luxembourg (2016) and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF, 2015-2016) as a legal trainee. Further back in time, he worked for a young SME company in the private sector in Bulgaria (2013-2015) managing the full project cycle (initiation and promotion, negotiation and organisation, monitoring and reporting) of EU co-funded educational and qualification programmes serving individuals but also large corporate clients in the country.
Educational background: Stoyan holds a Master of Laws LL.M. in International Trade and Investment Law from the University of Amsterdam and a LL.B. in Comparative and European Law from Maastricht University.
Recent projects:
- Reshaping the functional and operational capacity of Sofia Tech Park
- Public private partnerships for science and technology parks and innovation districts
- Publication: Proof of Concept in South-Eastern Europe
Pierre-Mathieu PÉLISSIER
Science & Policy Officer
Experience: Pierre-Mathieu Pélissier worked for 6 years at the VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology as a junior researcher in the field of bioengineering and plant biotechnology. He joined afterwards Thia Ventures as an associate, a venture capital firm investing worldwide at the crossroads of food, health and biotechnology, where he sourced and screened several startups technologies and IP as part of the due diligence process.
He joined the Joint Research Centre's Competence Centre on Technology Transfer in May 2023 to work on technology transfer capacity building and policy development, as well as to foster the exploitation of the knowledge produced by the JRC's scientific units.
Educational background: MSc in Agronomy and Plant Breeding ; PhD in Biochemistry and Biotechnology
Anna BATTISTON
Policy Officer
Portfolio:
- Management of research projects on innovation and tech transfer, including innovation ecosystems such as Science and Technology Parks (STPs), Innovation Districts (IDs) and Living Labs
- Project Management support and dissemination activities for studies related to tech transfer and IPR protection capacity in target countries
- JRC Living Labs as a policy-support tool
Experience: Anna Joined the CCTT as Policy Officer in October 2022. She previously worked as early-stage researcher in an Italian public research organisation and as Visiting Scientist at the JRC, focusing mostly on open innovation models and tech transfer pipelines in the Western Balkans, and contributing to the preparatory and early implementation activities for the Horizon Europe Mission on Climate Neutral and Smart Cities.
Educational background: Anna holds an MA in European Studies and a BA in Political Sciences, International Relations and Human Rights from the University of Padua.
Recent projects:
- Publication (Ed): A Taxonomy of Organised Spaces of Innovation (upcoming)
- Publication (contributor): Exploration of Impact Investing for Skills Creation, 2022
- Conference Report: Strengthening Technology Transfer in Europe, 2022.
Bianca CIUI
Project officer
Portfolio:
- Overseeing the JRC PoC Programme. The PoC programme was established with the aim of encouraging researchers to further develop and exploit innovative technologies arising from research activities, by way of transforming them into products, processes and services for the benefit of society at large, as well as for the market place
- Advisory and technical support on the Technology Transfer activities in African countries
- Scouting and engage with various industry stakeholders in view of licensing JRC's patents
- Advisory and technical support to the services of the European Commission concerning Research, Innovation and Technology Transfer in the area of health, biotech, pharma & medical devices.
Experience: Bianca Ciui holds a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences conducted in several countries (including US, where she was a Fulbright fellow). Since completing her doctorate, she has worked as a biomedical product engineer, scientist and consultant in the biomedical industry. She has cumulated experience in product development and the market roll-out of new products, following medical device/ drug regulations.
Bianca is inspired by novel & sustainable technologies and finds her motivation in helping these technologies reach the market where the societal impact is unfolded.
Educational background: BSc & MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences. PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (focus on wearable biosensors).
Recent projects:
- PoC Programme 2023
- Diagnostic study on the status and needs of technology transfer ecosystems in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Scouting activities, according to JRC Patent Licensing Policy
| Originally Published | Last Updated | 28 Mar 2019 | 12 Jun 2023 |
| Knowledge service | Metadata | Technology Transfer |