Ep. 7 - Panagiotis Vlachogiannis (Junior Specialist in Cell Nutrition at Nutreco)
May 5, 2022
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Panagiotis Vlachogiannis, Junior Specialist in Cell Nutrition at Nutreco discusses exploring business opportunities for Nutreco as a cell feed supplier, recommendations for standing out to companies in the alternative protein industry, the importance of understanding consumer needs and concerns, and the exciting aspects of working in the sustainable food production space.
The alternative protein sector offers exciting opportunities for individuals who are motivated by creating positive change.
Embracing internships and exploring diverse educational backgrounds can lead to fulfilling careers in the alternative protein space.
Job seekers should focus on studying and understanding the sector's challenges and position themselves as solution providers.
Nutrico is an example of a company actively investing in alternative protein solutions and welcomes interns.
Pursuing further education equips individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to thrive in the rapidly evolving alternative protein landscape.
Deep dives
Inspiration and Motivation to Enter the Alternative Protein Space
The podcast episode begins with the guest, Pano, sharing his journey and what inspired him to enter the alternative protein space. Starting with his fascination for technological innovation, Pano became intrigued by the concept of cultivated meat. He expresses his love for meat but also acknowledges the unsustainability of current farming practices. This realization led him to believe in the potential of cultivated meat to address these concerns and create a more sustainable future. Pano emphasizes the importance of aligning personal values with professional goals and the desire to contribute to a positive change in society.
Transition from Intern to Full-Time Employee at Newtrico
Pano discusses how he transitioned from being an intern to a full-time employee at Newtrico, an animal feed company. After founding the Blackman Alternative Protein Project and the Cellular Agriculture Grease, Pano felt that something was missing. He then joined a student project at Newtrico, which focused on cultivated meat. Impressed by his work, Pano was offered a position at Newtrico after the project's completion. Pano's experience highlights the importance of seizing opportunities, stepping outside of one's comfort zone, and embracing new experiences to pave the way for career development.
Role and Responsibilities at Newtrico
Pano describes his role at Newtrico, mainly supporting business development and potential investments in cultivated protein-related companies. His responsibilities include conducting due diligence for potential investments, building a supply chain for food-grade materials, and ensuring quality assurance documentation. Pano also plays a role in sharing Nutrico's knowledge on cell culture media and cultivated proteins within the company and externally. He highlights the significance of effective communication and collaboration in a sector that is still in its infancy.
Advice for Job Seekers in the Alternative Protein Space
Pano offers advice for job seekers interested in the alternative protein space. Instead of merely focusing on job descriptions, he encourages aspiring professionals to study the sector, identify the problems and gaps within it, and position themselves as solution providers. Pano suggests undertaking relevant projects, internships, or research that contribute to solving specific issues in the field. By becoming knowledgeable and proactive, job seekers can distinguish themselves and attract the attention of companies in the emerging industry.
The Future of Alternative Proteins and Nutrico's Role
When discussing the future of alternative proteins, Pano expresses his excitement to be part of Nutrico, a company striving to make a meaningful difference. He emphasizes the significance of combining traditional farming methods with new and emerging protein production methods to create a sustainable future. Pano believes that Nutrico's focus on feeding the growing population in a safer and more sustainable way through their self-feed products positions them as market leaders. He expresses pride in working for a company that truly walks the talk and is contributing to a positive change in society.
Benefits and Challenges of Working in the Alternative Protein Space
Pano highlights the benefits and challenges of working in the alternative protein space. He appreciates the opportunity to work in an industry centered around creating a sustainable future and to be part of a company that takes concrete steps towards achieving that goal. However, he acknowledges the difficulties associated with being in an industry that is still in its early stages. The constant need to address novel and complex problems without established answers can be frustrating. Despite the challenges, Pano sees these obstacles as learning opportunities and a chance to shape the future of the alternative protein industry.
The Importance of Further Education in the Alternative Protein Space
Pano emphasizes the importance of further education, such as pursuing a master's or PhD, in the alternative protein space. He attributes the value of such education not only to the knowledge gained, but also to the development of soft skills and the ability to think critically and independently. Pano believes that further education provides individuals with the necessary tools to better prepare for the rapidly evolving landscape of the alternative protein industry.
Nutrico's Hiring Opportunities
Nutrico welcomes interns who are interested in the alternative protein sector. Pano highlights the company's commitment to investing in young talent and encourages interested individuals to reach out. Nutrico offers opportunities to contribute to the development of alternative protein solutions and be a part of their mission to feed the future sustainably.
Connecting with Pano
Pano invites listeners to connect with him on LinkedIn or email if they are interested in discussing potential internships, job opportunities, or seeking guidance in the alternative protein space. He expresses his willingness to help and support young professionals who are eager to contribute to the alternative protein sector.
Reflection on the Alternative Protein Space
In conclusion, the podcast episode provides valuable insights into the alternative protein space, highlighting the importance of aligning personal values with professional goals, seizing opportunities, and actively contributing as a solution provider. It emphasizes the significance of further education and the need to stay adaptable and open to new ideas and challenges in the rapidly evolving industry. The episode also underscores the valuable role that companies like Nutrico play in shaping the future of the alternative protein industry by investing in young talent and taking concrete steps towards sustainability.
Main Takeaways
The main takeaways from this podcast episode are: 1. The alternative protein sector offers exciting opportunities for individuals who are motivated by creating positive change. 2. Embracing internships and exploring diverse educational backgrounds can lead to fulfilling careers in the alternative protein space. 3. Job seekers should focus on studying and understanding the sector's challenges and position themselves as solution providers. 4. Nutrico is an example of a company actively investing in alternative protein solutions and welcomes interns. 5. Pursuing further education equips individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to thrive in the rapidly evolving alternative protein landscape.
Panagiotis is the Junior Specialist in Cell Nutrition at Nutreco. He dedicates his time to developing the scientific and technical capabilities to supply future customers (or business partners) with media samples and relevant QA services and exploring business opportunities for Nutreco as a cell feed supplier to the cultivated and fermentation-based protein industry. He is also the co-founder of Cellular Agriculture Greece and the Wageningen Alternative Protein Project. In this episode, Pano recommends picking a challenge in this space and then working on it directly as a way to make you stand out to companies.
Below are links to the resources discussed in this episode:
