Dr. Izrael Zenar Bautista is a Supervising Science Research specialist at the Philippine Space Agency as part of the Space mission control and operations division. Their role is to manage Philippine ground stations and distribute space data needed by various Philippine institutions.
Dr. Bautista obtained his Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering, specializing in space engineering from Kyushu Institute of Technology and he obtained his Master of Science in Energy Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering from the University of the Philippines. His specialization in satellite engineering, ground station and satellite operations, and project management landed him the role of Project manager for the Philippine Space Agencies’ flagship project, the Multispectral Unit for Land Assessment or MULA project which they are developing with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.
Mr. Roel de la Cruz is a Supervising Science Research Specialist of the Space Data Mobilization and Applications Division of the Philippine Space Agency. He led the agency’s project that develops EO applications in the field of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, agriculture, and other environmental mapping and monitoring applications. He is currently the Downstream Engineer of the Multispectral Unit for Land Assessment (MULA) satellite currently being developed at Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. in the UK.
Chung-Huei Vicky Chu currently serves as the Deputy Director General and the Secretary General of the Taiwan Space Industry Development Association. She was previously Acting Deputy Director General at the Taiwan Space Agency. With experience spanning from managing system engineering divisions to directing prominent space programs like FORMOSAT-7/ COSMIC-2.
Liaison between the global sustainability research networks of Future Earth and ESA, Sophie manages a joint programme of activities using Earth observation data to advance sustainability science and to build the research community. She is seconded to ESA’s Actionable Climate Information Section, which runs ESA’s flagship Climate Change Initiative (CCI) for satellite-based climate data records.
Robert Fletcher is the Head of EO Services within Space Digital UK, part of Airbus Defence and Space. Robert holds over 12 years’ space sector experience in Earth Observation data management, Payload Data Ground Segment operations and the deployment of geospatial infrastructures.
Prior to moving into the Space sector, Robert held various senior IT architecture roles at organisations including ING and Vodafone.
Robert is also the UK Principal Representative of the CEOS Working Group on Information Systems and Services (WGISS).
Karin Nilsdotter is an award-winning leader, board professional, and strategic advisor, recognised for pioneering work and driving transformative growth in the space and defence industry, working at the intersection of government, industry, and international partnerships. Karin serves on the board of Unibap AB, a leader in AI and space computing, and Arctic Space AB, specialising in satellite communications. She also advises Airbus Group’s senior leadership as part of the STAR Program. As CEO of Spaceport Sweden, she spearheaded the development of a national strategy and regulatory framework for commercial human spaceflight and a space adventure business portfolio. Passionate about space for societal impact, she founded Hack Space for the Planet, TEDxKiruna, and Women in Space Sweden.
Jodi is an extremely driven serial entrepreneur, having co-founded an engineering company at the young age of 22 and years later selling the business. Having completed an MBO before the pandemic, Jodi has been providing investment and M&A advice for decades and she is now the CEO of London-based, quality FCA-regulated corporate finance advisory business Citicourt & Co Limited, and is a space sector and earth environment sustainability specialist. Jodi was an early member of the largest small-caps AIM broker in London. She is a Freeman of the City of London and Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologies.
Tobias Marchant is the International Partnership Manager for Space South Central.
With 15 years of recruitment experience and joining the Cluster from Serco Space Services Europe, he will be responsible for fostering strong relationships and international partnerships.
Aiming to form strategic collaboration to help grow the Space sector in the South Coast (Surrey & Hampshire), Toby will liaise within the region with local businesses (start-ups, SME’s and Primes) and government bodies. Toby will also work internationally with Universities, private companies, investment funds and national bodies to help promote international alliances, knowledge exchange, research and trade.
Toby’s expertise lies in his comprehensive knowledge of the global space industry and his keen understanding of key growth areas for the UK, EMEA, Australia, and America. With a focus on addressing skills challenges face by companies that can limit potential growth, he has helped businesses with scale up strategy and long-term growth plans and how to take their business to the next phase. He is dedicated to advancing the industry’s capabilities.
Arianna is the Project Manager at Island Innovation, leading global initiatives that drive innovation and sustainable development in island communities, including coordinating the Caribbean Climate Justice Leader’s Academy. As Head UK Youth Delegate to COP28, Arianna represented youth perspectives, engaging with international stakeholders to influence climate policies, champion the inclusion of youth voices in global climate dialogues, and advocate for vulnerable communities facing climate challenges.
Marlene is a master’s student in the EAGLE program at the University of Würzburg, specializing in applied Earth observation. Her work focuses on UAV-based environmental monitoring, including setting up and implementing drone-based mangrove surveys for an NGO in Seychelles and conducting phenology assessments in Kruger National Park. Beyond UAV applications, she utilizes satellite remote sensing to analyze land surface changes and ecosystem processes. She also gained experience in urban analysis while working as a student research assistant at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), where she used satellite and geospatial data to support research on urban planning. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography from the University of Würzburg, specializing in remote sensing and physical geography.
