Dr. Svetlana Nikolić Poligenis is a biotechnologist, biochemical engineer, and multidisciplinary artist with over 20 years of experience in research, scientific consulting, and entrepreneurship. With a strong background in industrial biotechnology, environmental protection, and sustainable innovations, she has dedicated her career to driving innovation and fostering the intersection of science, technology, and business. Currently, she works as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at iRama Europe, where she leads technology scaling, industrial biotechnology solutions, and strategic innovation. Through her expertise, she is committed to advancing sustainable, deep-tech agricultural solutions powered by AI to optimize health and nutrition, shaping the future of food production.

A leader in scientific innovation and sustainability

Her journey began in Belgrade, Serbia, where she pursued a Ph.D. in Biotechnology & Biochemical Engineering at the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy. During her academic tenure, she worked as a research associate, contributing extensively to industrial biotechnology, mostly the production of renewable energy resources (biofuels). Over the years, she participated in different international research projects and (co-)authored 94 peer-reviewed publications. During her research career at the University of Belgrade, she gained a very high H-index of 20 and over 1,800 citations. Her research team also developed two technical innovations that have been successfully adopted by industry, demonstrating its ability to translate scientific research into real-world applications. In 2022, Svetlana joined the Global Entrepreneurship Centre (GEC) GmbH in Düsseldorf, Germany, as a Senior Scientific Advisor.

There, she played a crucial role in evaluating and supporting startups specializing in sustainable technologies, agtech, and biotech solutions. Her work involved technical due diligence, technical assessment, IP strategy assessment, and guiding startups through their scale-up journey. Her contributions extended beyond advisory roles—she actively led cross-functional teams, helped establish S2-standard biotech laboratories at GEC Lab Village, and collaborated on the feasibility study for the GEC Technology Centre, overseeing its budget and infrastructure development. Her efforts directly contributed to accelerating sustainable solutions in biotechnology and green innovation.

Industry impact and thought leadership

Beyond her work at GEC and iRama Europe, Dr. Nikolić Poligenis is recognized as a strategic consultant, scientific reviewer, and industry expert. She has served as an expert evaluator for the BioExpert Network in Barcelona, where she refines business proposals for biotech startups, ensuring alignment with market trends and regulatory standards. She was also an active jury member of biotech organizations, such as TechTour and CLIB (Cluster for Industrial Biotechnology), where she evaluated cutting-edge innovations in bio-based and circular economy solutions. Additionally, she is actively engaged as a scientific reviewer for scientific international journals, different research projects, and books, further solidifying her role as an influential voice in the scientific community.

A passion for art and writing

While science and innovation form a significant part of her professional identity, art has always been her parallel passion. Svetlana is the founder and artist of PolyArt Studio in Düsseldorf, her family art studio, where she explores creativity through visual expression. Her work reflects a unique blend of scientific precision and artistic intuition, allowing her to bridge the gap between analytical thinking and creative storytelling. In addition to visual arts, she is an active writer for a Serbian blog “Tesline Gospodjice”, where she shares her insights on science and personal reflections. This blog was created in 2024 by four women from the Serbian Cultural Society “Tesla” in Düsseldorf, Germany. Her ability to communicate complex ideas in an engaging and accessible manner has made her a sought-after contributor in both scientific and creative circles.

A global citizen and multilingual communicator

Originally from Belgrade, Serbia, Svetlana now resides in Düsseldorf, Germany, where she continues to engage in international research, business, and artistic endeavours. She speaks four languages, enabling her to collaborate with diverse professionals and contribute to global discussions on biotechnology, sustainability, and the role of science in shaping the future. Beyond her professional achievements, she is also a devoted mother, balancing her dynamic career with the joys of family life. Her ability to navigate multiple disciplines—science, business, art, and writing—demonstrates her adaptability, curiosity, and relentless pursuit of knowledge.

Shaping the future through science, innovation, and art

Dr. Svetlana Nikolić Poligenis remains committed to advancing biotech innovations, sustainability, and creative expression. Whether she is driving technological innovation at iRama Europe, mentoring startups, advancing scientific research, expressing creativity through painting, or sharing insights on her blog, she is dedicated to inspiring, educating, and shaping the future of multiple industries. Her career is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary thinking—a reminder that science and art are not opposites but complementary forces that drive innovation, storytelling, and human progress.