We are excited to feature Gema Llorens, an indispensable member of SynTech Research Group, more specifically SynTech Regulatory, based in Spain. In this interview, Gema shares insights into her role, motivations and experiences working at SynTech Research.
What is your role and what do you like the most about your daily work?
Within SynTech Research Group, I work as a Project Manager in the BioSolutions department of SynTech Regulatory, and as a Senior Scientific Regulatory Expert specializing in microorganisms. My daily responsibilities focus on the registration of various agricultural products (including fertilizers, biostimulants, and plant protection products), primarily based on microorganisms.
As a scientific expert, I oversee the biological studies required to support the regulatory dossiers. This includes contracting, supervising, and study monitoring to ensure a biological characterization of the microorganisms involved.
In my role as Project Manager, I oversee the entire dossier preparation process, which provides me with a comprehensive understanding of the product and collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team of experts from different fields, which enables to deliver high-quality dossiers that meet regulatory standards.
What values and culture do you enjoy the most at SynTech?
I enjoy the team spirit and collaborative environment. Engaging with experts from diverse fields (such as physic-chemical analysis, ecotoxicology, and others) fosters a valuable exchange of knowledge. Despite working remotely, I appreciate the daily interactions with my colleagues, which ensure I never feel isolated. Another aspect I greatly value is the flexibility in working hours. This allows for a well-balanced family life, making it easier to manage both professional responsibilities and personal commitments.
Recently, you participated in SynTech Leadership Academy II (SLA) training program during 2024/2025, can you share what you learned and in which aspects did you find the SLA training as most valuable for yourself?
During this course, I gained deeper insights into the SynTech Research Group. While my daily work at SynTech Regulatory focuses on the regulatory aspects of agricultural inputs, the course expanded my understanding of other key areas within the Group, such as finance, sales, and ethics.
One of the modules that stood out to me was ‘Communication & Leadership’. During this module, we explored our personal DiSC profiles, which outline our preferred communication and leadership styles. This exercise helped me to understand my own working style better and how to collaborate more effectively with others. Overall, the course was a valuable opportunity for professional growth. It allowed me to share experiences with colleagues from around the world and from other departments I don’t typically interact with.
Is there a particular achievement and/or project in your career that you are especially proud of?
I’m proud of the teamwork that goes into each dossier we prepare. The process involves several key phases: study conduction, dossier preparation, submission for registration, and post-submission follow-up. Ultimately, this work ensures that products are legally approved for market placement. This is especially rewarding in the case of plant protection products, where the registration process can last several years.
Is there anything else you wish to share?
I greatly appreciate the collaboration within the Regulatory team and the continuous internal knowledge sharing. SynTech Regulatory has an outstanding team of experts who regularly organize internal training sessions to present updates on developments, new guidelines, and current challenges across various areas of expertise (including project management, physic-chemical analysis, (eco)toxicology, environmental fate, efficacy, and residues). This ongoing exchange of knowledge and close contact between different sections enhances our ability to prepare high-quality dossiers.