What’s your job title?
I am part of the Innovations Team in Advanced Nutrition, working as R&D scientist for Health and Environment products.
How long have you been with Benchmark and what made you join?
I have worked for Benchmark for around 4 years, and INVE Aquaculture (Benchmark Advanced Nutrition) has always been a very attractive company to work for, especially for those who come from an aquaculture background, which is my case. I did part of my PhD at the University of Ghent in Belgium, and from there the job opportunity at Benchmark came up and I grabbed it!
Can you describe your role?
The innovations team are responsible for developing new products, or working on improving/adjusting existing ones. We also support the commercial department on specific initiatives, helping to promote our products internally or with customers. We work closely with our colleagues in the testing centers on defining and executing our shrimp or fish trials, with the Product Managers on the ideation and project development process, as well as with external partners such as universities, research centers and commercial labs for specific projects or analysis.
I have also recently been appointed as the employee representative for Benchmark, which is very exciting new role that opens up the opportunity to bring the message and the voice of all colleagues to the higher management, and secondly it gives me the opportunity to see the business from a different perspective.
Where are you based?
I am based in Belgium, at ITECH office.
What’s your favourite part of the role?
I would say the variety of tasks. I work on many different tasks and projects with many different people, which makes it a very dynamic job, which I enjoy very much.
What’s your biggest challenge?
I think a big challenge for anyone working in a group is working with people, learning how to communicate properly, adapt quickly to certain situations, manage differences and conflicts and display leadership and autonomy within your own role. Not easy, but definitely this is a challenge I enjoy facing!
Tell us about the people you work with?
We all have different backgrounds, ages and cultures, and can be based in various parts of the world such as Belgium, Italy and Thailand. That makes it a very “rich” team. Particularly, my direct colleagues in the Health and Environment group are amazing, we have a very good dynamic, with open and kind communication, which makes us work very well together. They are the best ?.
What activities do you enjoy outside of work?
I like to be outdoors (if the weather allows!) and go running, walking, swimming, yoga, or having a drink/meal with friends. If the weather is not so inviting, I can also enjoy staying at home cooking, taking care of my plants, watching a movie or reading books.
What makes you happy?
There are several little moments that can make me happy, I don’t have one particular thing. For instance sunny days, buying flowers and taking care of plants, reading a book, watching my cat doing funny things or enjoying moments in good company are things that make me happy, among others.
What’s your favourite meal?
Again, I can point out many delicious meals, but sushi is maybe on the top 5 list!
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
I would like to travel in time, for many reasons – from finding out the origin of the universe and galaxies and black holes, which is a topic that fascinates me – to being able to see a little bit of the future!
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
At the moment I would visit my parents in Brazil. Because of Covid we couldn’t see each other and it has been almost two years now!
If you were going on a desert island and could only take 3 things, what would you take and why?
Different kinds of seeds, a book on basics of agro-forest and bio construction, and a rain coat!
What are you most proud of?
I am generally proud of people that choose to live abroad, no matter where or for what reasons. It is always a big challenge making a life in a foreign place.
What’s your favourite film of all time?
I don’t think I have one favourite movie of all times, but I did like ‘Bridges of the Madison County’, with Meryl Strip and Clint Eastwood very much.
Favourite life motto?
Never thought about that, but now I would say: Gotta be brave.
Night owl or early bird?
Definitely an early bird!
