COMSTECH Workshop on Blue Biotechnology for Health and Environment

Deadline for Application: January 15th, 2026
Mode: Hybrid (Physical + Online)
Dates: 20 January, 2026
Venue: COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan

Flyer: Click Here

Registration Link: Click Here

Blue biotechnology harnesses marine bioresources for innovative solutions in health, medicine, and environmental sustainability. With oceans representing a vast and largely untapped reservoir of biological diversity, marine-derived compounds offer significant potential for pharmaceutical development, environmental remediation, and sustainable aquaculture.

This workshop aims to highlight recent advances in blue biotechnology, focusing on marine bioactive compounds, sustainable utilization of marine resources, and their role in addressing pressing public health and environmental challenges. By bringing together leading international and national experts, the workshop will provide a platform for knowledge exchange, capacity building, and fostering collaborations among academia, industry, and policymakers, particularly within OIC Member States.

Objectives

The workshop aims to:

1. Identify marine bioresources with applications in health, medicine, and environmental management.
2. Promote research and innovation in marine-derived bioactive compounds and their commercialization.
3. Facilitate knowledge sharing on sustainable aquaculture and marine conservation practices.
4. Raise awareness about the role of blue biotechnology in addressing environmental and public health challenges.
5. Encourage collaborations among scientists, industry stakeholders, and policymakers for sustainable blue biotechnology initiatives.

Target Audience

The workshop is intended for:

• Researchers and scientists
• Faculty members and professionals
• PhD scholars
• BS and Master’s students in:
  • Biotechnology and Molecular Biology
• Professionals from analytical, industrial, and applied research laboratories

Participants from OIC Member States are particularly encouraged to apply.

Profile of Speakers:

Dr. Stéphanie BORDENAVE-JUCHEREAU
Director of the Biotechnology Teaching Department and
Director of the Biotechnology Master
La Rochelle University, France

Dr. Stéphanie BORDENAVE-JUCHEREAU, BIOTECHNOLOGIST at La Rochelle University. Director of the Biotechnology Teaching Department and Director of the Biotechnology Master. Biochemist in UMR CNRS-7266 LIENSs BCBS team (Biochemistry and Chemistry of Bioresources for Health applications)

She holds a Ph. D in Biochemistry, University of La Rochelle since 2000 and « Habilitation à Diriger des Recherche’s » University of La Rochelle entitled “Upgrading of protein through the production of crypt ides extracted from co-and by product generated from Agri-Resources after enzymatic hydrolysis” since 2009. As research projects, she is involved in demonstration of various biological activities interesting human health (metabolic syndrome pathologies: hypertension, diabetes and obesity) and biotechnological upgrade of aquaculture wastes. She is actually working on new methods of actives protection by copolymerization of vegetal hydrocolloids.

Coordinator of the EU project financed by the “Implementation of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Work Program 2016 Action 1.2.1.2 Blue Careers in Europe, A Blue Biotechnology Master for a Blue Career, Proposal N°EASME/EMFF/2016/1.2.1.201/SI2.749359) 2017-2020. Partner of MarENet project that aims to strengthen cooperation between maritime business and academia to enhance the visibility of training and professional opportunities in the Blue Economy sector in Europe “. November 2019 October 2021. EASME/EMFF-2018-1.2.1.7- Blue Careers in Europe. La Rochelle University leader of the Joint Master Program in Marine Biotechnology, selected by the Erasmus+ programme Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (2022-2027, Project No. 101050597 – JMPMB). This joint Masters programme in Marine Biotechnology is an integrated multidisciplinary programme offered within the framework of one of the first

transnational European universities: EU-CONEXUS.

Dr Gary Caldwell
Senior Lecturer in Applied Marine Biology
School of Natural and Environmental Sciences Newcastle
University, UK

Dr Gary Caldwell is a Senior Lecturer in Applied Marine Biology at Newcastle University and Chair of the Board of Studies for Biology and Marine Science undergraduate programs. He holds a First Class BSc (Hons) from the University of Wales, Bangor, and a PhD from Newcastle University. With over 20 years of academic and research experience, he has held positions including Marine Biology Teaching Fellow, Research Associate, and NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Calgary and Environment Canada. His research spans algae biotechnology, chemical ecology, and ecotoxicology. He develops micro- and macroalgae for biofuels, bioactive products, CO₂ capture, and wastewater remediation, often through innovative living bio composite systems in collaboration with industry partners. He also studies chemically mediated interactions in aquatic ecosystems and organismal responses to pollutants and marine venoms under multiple stressors. Dr Caldwell has supervised numerous PhD and MPhil students and contributes to the scientific community as an Associate Editor and Editorial Board member of leading journals in marine and algal sciences.

Dr. Muhammad Ali
Associate Professor
Department of Biotechnology,
Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), Islamabad, Pakistan.

Dr. Muhammad Ali, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biotechnology at Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), Islamabad. He is an elected member of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences and serves as Co-Chapter Head of the Pakistan Biological Safety Association (PBSA-ICT).

Dr. Ali leads the Infectious Diseases and Molecular Pathology Laboratory (IDMPL), managing a BSL-II facility focused on the detection and characterization of emerging pathogens. His research integrates infectious diseases, molecular pathology, immunoinformatic, virology, epidemiology, and antimicrobial discovery to address key public health challenges.

He earned his PhD in Molecular and Cell Biology/Biotechnology from the University of Roma Tre, Italy, and has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles with 34,499+  citations. His work appears in leading journals, including The Lancet Global Health and Cytokine & Growth Factor Reviews.

Dr. Ali has secured five competitive research grants, holds one granted patent, and received the Highly-Cited Scientist Award (QAU, 2022–23). He currently serves as Deputy Director (Coordination) at the Directorate of Student Affairs, QAU, and has supervised numerous M. Phil and PhD students.