As part of its initiative to grow and nurture an inclusive and diverse team, FA Bio’s ‘Culture Champion’ award recognises and celebrates those who not only embody our core values but help shape the culture that drives our success. Each quarter, the team votes for individuals who exemplify FA Bio’s commitment to collaboration, innovation and sustainability..
The latest recipient of FA Bio’s ‘Culture Champion’ award is Marianna Dourou. Marianna joined FA Bio as a Product Development Research Scientist, and her evolution within the company speaks volumes about her dedication, versatility and drive for impact. Now in a dual role that bridges Fermentation Management and Regulatory Affairs, she continues to push boundaries and set the standard for collaborative innovation.
In her Fermentation Manager role, Marianna is instrumental in building the infrastructure that underpins our microbial innovation. From establishing robust fermentation pipelines and producing high-quality biomass, to registering and visualising both legacy and new data, her work supports the full development lifecycle. But it’s Marianna’s growing passion for Regulatory Affairs that’s truly igniting her next chapter. Her focus is on understanding and mapping the regulatory landscape that governs where and how FA Bio’s innovations can be tested and developed. With regulations varying by geography and product type, Marianna is on a mission to navigate this complex terrain, researching, analysing and ultimately making informed recommendations.
Most recently, she has led a Regulatory and IP mapping project, a cross-functional initiative that has seen her engage closely with legal experts, regulatory consultants across regions and IP lawyers. From transportation and field trial requirements to understanding patent applications and regulatory networks, this project has required analytical thinking, diplomacy and good communication skills.
From the outset, Marianna has been passionate about agricultural technology and bringing science to market. Her commitment to bridging research with regulatory strategy is helping FA Bio stay aligned with both innovation and compliance, ensuring our game-changing work translates into sustainable solutions in the field.
Marianna is pleased to be part of the FA Bio team, contributing to the development of innovative microbial solutions that harness the power of nature to transform agriculture. FA Bio is committed to advancing next generation bioproducts that promote soil health, support sustainable crop production and enable regenerative farming. Her work in fermentation and regulatory affairs aligns closely with this mission, ensuring scientific rigour, operational excellence and compliance with an evolving global landscape. Her dedication to collaboration and continuous learning reinforces FA Bio’s culture of innovation, inclusivity and purpose-driven impact.
Marianna Dourou said: “Regulatory affairs is an area that’s constantly evolving. There’s always something new to learn, new challenges to navigate and new perspectives to consider. I love that it pushes me to stay curious, think strategically and continuously adapt. It’s incredibly rewarding to be at the forefront of something so dynamic and impactful. What makes it even more fulfilling is the team at FA Bio. The energy, the openness and the genuine willingness to collaborate across departments is something truly special. We come from all sorts of backgrounds, cultures and areas of expertise, and that diversity really enriches everything we do. I’m very proud to be part of a company that celebrates diversity, encourages shared learning and is deeply committed to innovation and sustainability.”
Natália Franco Taketani, Head of Scientific Operations at FA Bio, comments: “Marianna’s dedication, curiosity, and genuine passion for learning make her an invaluable part of the team. In her evolving role, she has taken on significant responsibility across both fermentation and regulatory affairs, always with a collaborative mindset and a drive to make a meaningful impact. Her ability to bridge scientific expertise with regulatory insight has brought real strategic value to FA Bio. Marianna is not only an asset to our team, but also a fantastic ambassador of FA Bio’s culture, actively fostering open communication and supporting the development of those around her. She truly embodies the culture we’re building at FA Bio and we’re incredibly proud to recognise her as a Culture Champion.”
