Plamena Markova serves as the Chief of International Relations at EMBL and is a member of the EMBL Directorate. In this role, she leads EMBL’s engagement with its member states, the European Union, ESFRI research infrastructures, international organisations and fora, and global strategic partners. She also oversees Alumni Relations, supporting a vibrant global network of more than 10,000 EMBL alumni.

Plamena currently chairs the Coordination Group of EIROforum, under EMBL’s rotational presidency.

Withover 15 years of experience across intergovernmental organisations (IGOs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and government sectors, she brings deep expertise in partnership development, science policy, and science governance. She contributes to numerous national and international expert committees and serves as EMBL’s representative on several ESFRI boards.

Plamena holds an advanced degree in Public International Law from Leiden University in the Netherlands, and a bachelor’s degree in International and European Affairs from Panteion University in Greece.

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