Ivan D.

• Lead advanced R&D in microbial inoculants, focusing on molecular diagnostics, microbial fermentation, and quality control for large-scale bio-input production. • Develop and implement PCR/qPCR-based tools for detecting and quantifying beneficial and contaminant microbes. • Collaborate with regulatory teams to provide genomic and molecular evidence supporting strain registration worldwide.

Managed a multidisciplinary R&D team across Canada, ensuring alignment of local projects with global strategy. • Oversaw scale-up of beneficial fungi and bacteria from lab to industrial production (50L – 10,000L fermenters). • Designed and executed phylogenetic and molecular marker studies to secure strain identity and traceability. • Built strong collaborations with universities and industry partners, leading to successful field applications in row crops and specialty crops.

• Co-founded and directed R&D for a startup pioneering the mass production of arbuscular mycorrhizae for commercial agriculture. • Developed innovative in vitro culture protocols for large-scale AMF production (100,000+ spores/gram). • Designed industrial-scale inoculant production systems and validated product performance in diverse crops. • Oversaw technology transfer, regulatory dossiers, and partnerships with Canadian and international growers.

Microbiome bioengineering of hydrocarbon polluted soils • Conducted research on soil microbiology, plant–microbe interactions, and microbial biotechnology applications. • Developed novel diagnostic tools for detection and quantification of microbial communities in soils. • Published peer-reviewed articles and mentored graduate students in molecular biology and microbiology techniques.

Plant microbe interactions

In vitro culture of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and study of the life history strategies of different phylogenic groups • Doctoral research focused on the in vitro culture of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and the life-history strategies of obligate symbiotic microorganisms. • Developed pioneering methods for studying AMF biology under controlled conditions. • Awarded a prestigious PhD fellowship (2003) to conduct studies in Louvain-la-Neuve.