Christoph Platzer

Dr. Christoph Platzer is a renowned expert in small-scale wastewater treatment and resource-oriented sanitation. With a PhD in Sanitary Engineering from the Technical University of Berlin, he has pioneered the use of constructed wetlands and natural treatment systems for sustainable sanitation. 

As Managing Director of Rotária do Brasil, Dr. Platzer has led over 200 projects focused on small wastewater treatment plants across Latin America. His work emphasizes cost-effective, energy-efficient solutions, particularly the integration of resource recovery, including biogas production.

A founding member of Global Wetland Technology (GWT), Dr. Platzer collaborates internationally to promote nature-based wastewater solutions, advancing sustainable sanitation practices globally.

Clovis Zapata

Mr. Clovis Zapata was appointed as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Representative for Brazil in August 2024. He previously served as the interim head of UNIDO in Brazil.

Of both Brazilian and Spanish nationality, he holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Economics and Environment from Cardiff University, UK, and the University of California, USA. He also holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Economics, as well as an MBA.

His professional experience spans over 25 years as an economist for various international organizations, including the World Bank, UNDP, WWF, and the Automotive Industry Research Centre of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) in the UK. He has held technical and leadership positions in the Federal Government of Brazil, serving at the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Justice. In academia, he has been a professor and research associate at various institutions in the UK, USA, Brazil, and Italy.

Cristian Antonio Rojas

Dr. Cristian Antonio Rojas holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), specializing in molecular biology and plant genetics. He is currently a professor at the Federal University for Latin American Integration (UNILA) and an active researcher in interdisciplinary projects focused on biotechnology and genetics. Recently, he has expanded his work to synthetic biology, creating genetic circuits and exploring new applications in this field. His research includes developing bioinoculants for sustainable agriculture and monitoring urban viruses. Dr. Rojas has published extensively on plant-microbe interactions and genetic regulation in response to environmental stress, with an emphasis on agricultural systems and conservation. He has been awarded medals in the iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) competition and is recognized for his contributions to genetics and applied biotechnology.