People behind the PhytoCyte Team

The people behind PhytoCyte combine biotechnology, product thinking, and a sustainability-first approach to build for real deployment.

Our Team

A focused group working across strategy, research, product, and operations to move the company forward with clarity and consistency.

Team Member

Karl E Watkin MBE

CEO & Co-Founder

Karl is a passionate, success driven, global entrepreneur who has lived and worked in 115 countries worldwide and has a lifetime of experience of successfully developing technologies from start up to listing on LSE, ASX and NYSE. He was the founder of PhytoCyte and co developer of the patented plant cell cannibanoid technology which it was originally founded to deliver. Karl conceived and developed the worlds largest bio diesel company which he listed in the UK and was subsequently sold to BP. He chaired the UN bio energy board delivering the white papers on climate change adaptation and mitigation which were implemented worldwide. He was the founder of J2C Plc, the UK’s first listed B2B internet company.

StrategyCollaborationCommercial Execution

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Team Member

Reza Zareie

Consultant Scientist

Dr Reza Zareie is an Australian biotechnology specialist whose 25‑year career spans the most intricate domains of proteomics, recombinant protein engineering and molecular biology. As the Founding Director of Proteowa Pty Ltd, he leads a research enterprise dedicated to high‑precision recombinant protein production and advanced analytical services. His scientific inventiveness is reflected in two patents that formalise novel methodologies for generating recombinant peptides and proteins. His publication record, extending across plant pathology, proteomics and biochemical research, includes contributions to internationally recognised journals such as the Journal of Proteome Research and the Journal of Biological Chemistry, underscoring both depth and continuity in his scholarly work.

ResearchProduct DevelopmentScientific Innovation

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Team Member

Anna Skowrońska

Chaos Coordinator

A qualified and specialised accountant with a master's degree in corporate financial analysis. Utilised her management skills in various countries and markets, achieving positive results in a range of industries, from transport and manufacturing logistics to exclusive retail and insurance. Fluent in English, French and Polish.Anna has excellent communication and negotiation skills, particularly in multicultural environments. She has a proven ability to identify problems, develop solutions and effectively manage teams to resolve them.

logisticManagementOperations

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Team Member

Chris Robinson

Agriculture specialists

Chris, a graduate of Curtin University in Western Australia, is a nationally recognised specialist in fertiliser strategy and soil quality improvement on arable land, as well as in pesticide application recommendations for crops. Chris is a director at Farmanco, one of Australia’s largest agricultural consultancy firms, and has appeared on numerous national television programmes as an expert in agronomy.

AgricultureCrop protection

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Team Member

Mark LM Quinn

Philippines Representative

Mark is a highly experienced specialist with more than 24 years of international work in renewable energy, agroforestry, and low‑carbon technologies. He has led major biomass and carbon‑offset projects across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, securing government permits, investment capital, and long‑term commercial agreements. His operational background includes managing large‑scale plantations, developing advanced MIS systems, and building efficient supply chains for biomass, agarwood, mango, bamboo, vetiver, and other high‑value crops. Quinn has also advised government institutions and industry councils on emissions trading schemes, climate policy, and sustainable fuel strategies. His combination of technical expertise, financial modelling, and strategic leadership consistently delivers scalable and profitable environmental projects.

Business DevelopmentCarbon ProjectsRenewable Fuels

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Team Member

Daniel Chew

Pharmaceutical Consultant

Daniel holds a Bsc in Pharmacology and Physiology from the University of Western Australia complements by a Bachelor of Pharmacy from Curtin University. Danny is a passionate advocate supporting the vision of a world free from anti Biotics sharing his intellect, passion and unique experience with the PhytoCyte team.

Pharmacy PracticeAntimicrobial Resistance