Meet the team
Co-founder & Technical Director
Elizaveta Baranova
ETHZ; UMiami
Elizaveta Baranova is a technical director with a strong focus on biochar solutions and regulated ingredient markets, bringing an entrepreneurial background in nutraceutical startups and science‑driven product development. Holding an MSc in Management, Technology and Economics and a BSc in Mechanical Engineering with a specialisation in Aeronautical Engineering, Elizaveta has led end‑to‑end development of nutritional supplement products, from technical formulation and stability considerations to supplier qualification and compliance with market-specific regulations. In her technical leadership roles, she has also supported the expansion of operations by evaluating and onboarding strategic manufacturing partners and distributors across Europe, the USA and GCC countries, ensuring that quality, documentation and regulatory requirements are met consistently along the value chain.
Co-founder
Timur Gazizullin
ICL; UCL
Timur Gazizullin is an experienced executive with a proven track record in real estate, venture capital, and entrepreneurship, building and scaling asset-heavy, multi-site businesses across multiple jurisdictions. Equipped with an MSc in Management (Business/Managerial Economics) and a BA in Political Science, Timur has managed commercial and residential properties and co-working space developments. He also founded Ecotech VC, a cleantech fund focused on ESG and decarbonisation, and created and scaled a bootcamp fitness chain.
CEO
André Neves
INDEG-ISCTE; IST
André Neves is a seasoned executive with over 15 years of experience in operations and management across the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and food and waste management industries. André has successfully driven startups from $0 revenue to multi-million-dollar businesses and built manufacturing facilities from ground up. With an Executive MBA, a professional specialisation in Business Management and both an MSc and a BSc in Chemical Engineering, he leads AGROPHENOLS in advancing its sustainability mission while building resilient operations.
Business Development
Anastasia Levada
WBS; NRU HSE
Anastasia Levada is an experienced Business Development Director specialised in new project development across Europe and the Middle East. Bringing an MSc in Business with Consulting and a BSc in Management, Anastasia has worked at a Big 4 firm, where she focused on commercial due diligence and strategy optimisation, as well at other large international companies. At AGROPHENOLS, she leads business growth initiatives.
Sales
Débora Moutela
CLSBE; NOVA FCT; EMSHS
Débora Moutela is an established professional drawing on over 15 years of leadership and commercial experience specialising in building and managing high-performance sales teams and driving global growth through strategic business initiatives. With an International MSc in Management, an Executive Master in Leadership Development, an MSc in Technology and Food Safety and a BSc in Nutrition Sciences, Débora has been key in achieving sustainable businesses success. At AGROPHENOLS, she drives the commercial strategy and supports market expansion and key account development.
Operations
Vinicius Silva
PBS; BIT Beijing; UniJorge
Vinicius Silva is an accomplished Head of Operations backed by over 6 years of experience in global markets, having worked across various industries and companies in China, Brazil, Canada and Portugal. Certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP®), with a Postgraduate Degree on Project Management, an MBA and a BA on International Relations, Vinicius oversees AGROPHENOLS’s operational management. He is responsible for optimising the company’s processes while ensuring efficiency and scalability in its operations.
Legal
Karla Morais
FDUL; Anhanguera; Presb. Mackenzie Univ
Karla Morais is a highly experienced lawyer with more than 15 years of experience across corporate law, compliance (KYC/KYB), regulatory affairs, including over 8 years in investment banking, combining deep legal expertise with a business-oriented perspective. Holding an LLM in International Law, an MBA, a Postgraduate Specialisation in Civil and Corporate Law and an LLB, Karla has successfully advised on corporate structuring and formation, banking and financial regulations, and cross-border mobility. She also brings strong track record in fintech legal operations, AI and HR-tech product counselling, and in building scalable legal frameworks that empower teams and streamline processes. At AGROPHENOLS, Karla leads the legal function, supporting compliant and sustainable growth across governance, structuring, and investments.
Research & Development
Oumaima Boutoub
UAlg | Utah State University | FCUL; USMBA
Oumaima Boutoub is a double doctorate holder with extensive hands-on laboratory experience spanning biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, nano-formulation, and bioengineering, applied across the pharmaceutical, food and agricultural sectors. Building on her two PhDs, one in Biological Sciences with a specialisation in Biochemistry and Biotechnology, and another in Science and Engineering of Matter, Earth and Life, with a specialisation in Microbiology and Biotechnology, Oumaima also holds an MST in Biodiversity Management and Conservation and a BSc in Applied Sciences and Health. Throughout her career, she has conducted multiple analyses and extractions of polyphenols from various plant sources and led R&D activities in a leading pharmaceutical company. At AGROPHENOLS, she steers the company’s R&D efforts, with a focus on lab analyses.
Research & Development
Miguel Santos
NOVA FCT; IPS Setúbal
Miguel Santos is a skilled analytical scientist, specialising in advanced HPLC techniques to optimise the yield and purification of adeno-associated viruses for gene therapy. With a MSc in Biochemistry and a BSc in Biotechnology, Miguel also brings project management experience, having worked on Portugal 2020 and 2030 programmes, where he gained key insights into scientific innovation and technology funding. At AGROPHENOLS, he advances R&D focused on innovative polyphenol-based formulations and product improvements.
Research & Development
João Silva
UBI
João Silva is a proficient researcher with expertise in protein purification, computational biology, automation, and computer-aided drug design. With an MSc and a BSc in Biotechnology, João has worked on drug discovery and bioprocess innovation through interdisciplinary work, developing efficient pipelines for protein research and the identification of small molecule inhibitors. At AGROPHENOLS, he supports R&D and optimises production processes, applying advanced data analysis to drive more effective outcomes.
Research & Development
Subhi Salman
USC; Near East Univ.; An-Najah
Subhi Salman is a trained soil scientist with substantial experience in both laboratory and field-based research on biochar characterisation, soil carbon sequestration, and biomass valorisation. A PhD in Agricultural and Forestry Research, an MSc in Environmental Science, and a BSc in Plant Production and Protection underpin Subhi’s professional background, which has contributed to transforming biochar from a raw material into a valuable, certified and market-ready product. He has worked in carbon markets, designing and implementing monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) frameworks while supporting the scale-up of ecosystem-based carbon removal systems. Subhi was also responsible for translating scientific methodologies into practical, deployable solutions aligned with carbon standards, alongside experience in producing nature-based fertilisers and applied agronomy. At AGROPHENOLS, he leads biochar innovation – from strategy development and technology to production and activation.
Marketing, Communications & PR
Anastasia Rumyantseva
MGIMO; Moscow State University
Anastasia Rumyantseva is a skilled marketing professional and growth strategist backed by over 10 years of experience in leading marketing for premium brands, orchestrating trade shows and delivering PR campaigns. Drawing on an MA and a BA in International Relations, Anastasia has led launches across the CIS, the EU, and the Middle East, driving up to $650K in additional profit through rebranding, digital channels, and performance-focused campaigns. At AGROPHENOLS, she leads the company’s Marketing, Communications & PR efforts to build a well-recognisable brand and sustainable revenue generation in global markets.
Marketing, Communications & PR
Sofia Gomes
UMinho; UBI | UCP
Sofia Gomes is a detail-oriented junior communications professional with early experience across cultural, regional and local journalism, alongside institutional communication in Portugal There, she worked on print and online publications through writing and editing, managed social media content, strategically covered events, and oversaw digital platforms. Holding a BA in Communication Sciences and a Specialisation in International Relations, Sofia brings to AGROPHENOLS her knowledge of the country’s media landscape, as well as a broader understanding of communication channels. She contributes to the shaping of the company’s Marketing, Communications & PR strategy, especially at a national level.
External Scientific Advisor
Ana Barros
UTAD; UAveiro
Ana Barros is an Associate Professor with Habilitation in Chemical and Biological Sciences, specialising in Chemical Sciences, at University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), one of Portugal’s leading universities in agricultural and environmental sciences. Leveraging a PhD in Chemistry, an MSc in Natural Products and Food Chemistry, and a BSc in Chemistry, specialising in Food Chemistry, Ana has authored more than 130 scientific publications in high-impact journals in the field of food science and technology and registered 8 national patents. She has also served as an international expert evaluator for ANI, acted as director of CITAB for 5 years and of Inov4Agro (both from UTAD) for one and a half years, and worked for a year as a pharmaceutical and chemical analyst for a cosmetics company, among other contributions. Currently, is responsible for the phytochemicals laboratory at UTAD and coordinates the agri-food quality group within Inov4Agro. At AGROPHENOLS, Ana contributes to the development of innovative analytical methodologies and sustainable food processing techniques, bringing extensive academic research experience, focusing on advanced studies in food composition, quality and safety.