Meet Our Speakers

Dr. Alena Bubeck is a Project Manager at Steinbeis Europa Zentrum and the Coordinator of the EU project SHIFT-HUB, which aims to foster the development and uptake of Smart Health Technologies across Europe. She holds a PhD in Molecular Nutritional Science and has over five years of experience in microbiome research and applied bioinformatics, combining deep scientific expertise with practical innovation support. Her work focuses on health and medtech innovation, facilitating the translation of research findings into actionable solutions and market ready products. At Steinbeis Europa Zentrum, she supports projects that connect research, technology, and market actors, helping start-ups, SMEs, and research consortia navigate the health innovation landscape. Her experience in project coordination, stakeholder engagement, and ecosystem development enables her to bridge scientific research with practical applications, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and driving innovations that have tangible societal and economic impact in the health sector.

Lucian Paraschiv is a senior healthcare executive with more than 20 years of experience in the medical sector, spanning hospital management, medical devices, and innovation-driven partnerships. He currently serves as the Exclusiv Distributor for Samsung Medical Romania & Republic of Moldova and as a leading representative for Samsung Medical in Europe, where he drives strategic collaborations across clinical networks, technology providers, and healthcare systems.

Lucian works extensively with hospitals and clinics to deliver comprehensive solutions of medical equipment, advanced technologies, and high-performance devices at the highest international standards. Through his partnership with Samsung Medical, he has access to a global network of innovation, clinical expertise, and strategic partners, which allows him to accelerate the adoption of next-generation healthcare solutions across diverse markets.

As a key partner at the MLA Medtech Hub, Lucian is dedicated to connecting promising innovators with resources, investors, and healthcare institutions worldwide. His expertise in technology commercialization, hospital innovation, and market expansion positions him as a leading voice on the future of healthcare, with a focus on AI-driven diagnostics, personalised medicine, and sustainable healthcare delivery models.

Malina Turcut is an international entrepreneur, investor, and healthcare innovation strategist dedicated to transforming MedTech across Europe and beyond. As Co-Founder of MLA Medtech Hub, she leads initiatives to guide early-stage medtech startups through critical growth phases—product development, funding strategy, and regulatory readiness.

She works closely with Samsung Medical Division, building bridges between innovative startups and global healthcare ecosystems, and creating pathways for new technologies to reach clinics and hospitals worldwide. With nearly two decades of experience in entrepreneurship, finance, and health technology, Malina combines hands-on operational insight with a deep understanding of the investor landscape.

She is an Expert under the European Innovation Council (EIC), underscoring her proficiency in scaling projects from lab to market. Over the years, she has actively invested in ventures at the intersection of health, AI, and digital innovation, mentoring founders and shaping sustainable growth trajectories.

In her moderation role, Malina brings a unique lens—bridging founders’ perspectives with investor expectations, especially in MedTech and biopharma. Her passion lies in unlocking capital, accelerating innovation, and facilitating strategic connections that push the boundaries of healthcare impact.

Maria Sipilä, M.Sc. (Econ.) is a Vice Chair and Board Director of

European Women on Boards and a CEO of a Finland based

boutique growth consulting company Sipila Consulting.

She is a jury member at the European Commission European

Innovation Council. She is specialized in scaling and funding of

deeptech healthtech companies.

Sipila Consulting is a boutique growth consulting company

specialized in sustainable international growth and commercialization. The

company serves customers in expansion to European Union

countries, UK, US, APAC, Japan and India.

Passionate about venture capital, innovation, and bringing new technologies to market. I enjoy scaling and developing companies as investor, Board Director, adviser, coach, and mentor.

• Board Observer & fund representative for Regina Maria (RO) (then called CMU); oversaw investment performance and led the 2010 exit process. The company is now subject to acquisition by Mehiläinen Oy (FI), with media reports valuing the transaction at Unicorn level (approval pending)

• Recognized with multiple awards for my work & portfolio companies, including Leaders League Silver Award (FR), Gartner (US), TechCrunch (US), and Deloitte Technology Fast 50 (CEE).

• Serve as Investment Jury Member for the €10 billion European Innovation Council and contribute expertise to additional international & domestic investment and scaling programmes.

• Led Catalyst I, a successful venture fund dedicated to Romania and served as Partner with 3TS (FI), a leading venture & growth investor in CEE.

• Earlier career in investment banking (M&A) with CA IB Corporate Finance — then part of HVB Bank Austria Creditanstalt Group (DE & AT), now UniCredit Group (IT), a leading European bank with strong presence in CEE
• Led numerous investment banking transactions, including deals exceeding EUR 100 million, advising leading corporations and financial institutions.

Ms. Pilar Aguar Fernandez joined the European Commission in 2001, starting with audits of national food-safety systems.

From 2005 to 2012, she managed European research programs in industrial technologies, including nanotechnology safety. She then led the JRC Unit on Chemical Assessment and Testing (2012–2017), developing testing methods for EU legislation on chemicals and health technologies.

Returning to DG Research & Innovation in 2017, she oversaw health and environment research and represented the EC on the Innovative Medicine Initiative board. From 2021 to 2025, she directed DG SANTE’s Health and Food Audits and Analysis, monitoring EU food safety and health legislation enforcement. Since September 2025, she is Director of People – Health and Society at DG Research and Innovation.

Ms. Aguar holds degrees in Pharmacy and Food Science, with expertise in toxicology and public health, and previously worked at Spain’s Ministry of Health.