MANAGEMENT TEAM
PROJECT MANAGER
Răzvan-Horaţiu Bătinaş
My name is Răzvan Bătinaş and I am Lecturer at the Department of Physical and Technical Geography of the Faculty of Geography, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca. I graduated School No. 29 and Avram Iancu High School in Cluj-Napoca, then, I pursued a specialization in Environmental Science at the Faculty of Geography in Cluj-Napoca. My university studies were followed by a master’s degree program and I was awarded the Ph.D. degree by Babeş-Bolyai University. The topic of my thesis is related to the water quality in the Arieș River catchment area. My didactic activity is focused on a set of disciplines, which have water resources as a main object of study. The main research interests are related to hydrology, tourism and environment quality. All these interests are defined by a collection of articles, chapters and speciality books. I had the opportunity to work in various projects and research contracts focused on regional development, cross-border relations and territorial planning. I am a sociable person who has affinity for nature, photography, sports and outdoor activities. I enjoy discovering new places and meeting simple people.
ASSISTANT MANAGER
Rareş Ranga
As a graduate of the Faculty of Animal Science and Biotechnologies, with a diploma in Fishery obtained in 2008, I have always been concerned about the environment and for the way we can protect it by promoting new technologies used in raising aquatic animals in order to achieve superior productions, both qualitatively and quantitatively. In this respect, I have conducted in-depth studies on the super-intensive recirculating systems that use up to 100 times less water compared to the classic farms and offer, at the same time, increased biosecurity by removing the risk of cultured fish escape in the natural watercourses populated with indigenous flora and fauna. In order to implement these new technologies, in 2011, I established S.C. HALIEUTICA S.R.L., meant to provide consultancy for the establishment of new fish farms, for the modernization of the current ones and for providing modern equipment for them. Since 2011, I have accumulated experience in the management of projects under the Romanian Operational Programme for Fisheries. Our ecosystems are fragile and they must be protected from human activities as much as possible, and an adequate study on the inventory of the existing fish species is, in my opinion, the first step to be taken.
FINANCIAL MANAGER
Gabriela Ungurean
I am an economist, a graduate of the Faculty of Economic Sciences of Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, with a master’s degree in European Affairs and Project Management at the Faculty of European Studies at the same university. Currently, I work as a financial administrator at the Accounting Office of Babeş-Bolyai University, but also as a financial manager and accountant in POSDRU, SEE and EEA projects. My hobbies are photography, the history of fine arts, music, gemmology, gardening, and reading.
PUBLIC PROCUREMENT EXPERT
Florin Ilieş
I am a graduate of Babeş-Bolyai University, Faculty of Business, with a bachelor’s degree in Economic Sciences and specialized in Business Administration. I am interested in continuous professional development, a reason for which I attended a Public Procurement Expert training course, in 2008, and, currently, I am pursuing a master’s program at the Faculty of Business. My professional competence is supported by an extensive experience in Public Procurement domain. Since 2006, I have been working at the specialized department of Babeş-Bolyai University where, alongside the main responsibilities, I worked as a public procurement expert in the team implementing European Fund projects in the Department of Research and Programme Management (2011-2013) and in the POS MEDIU 42796 SMIS-CSNR project.
IMPLEMENTATION TEAM
TERRITORIAL ANALYSTS
Mircea Alexe
I am Associate Professor at the Department of Physical and Technical Geography within the Faculty of Geography, Babeş-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. My fields of interest and professional competence are related to Topography, Remote Sensing, Cartography, GIS, and Limnology. My didactic and research experience was acquired by publishing eight books and university courses, 50 articles of speciality (four of them published in ISI-listed journals) and by participating in numerous grants, projects or European funding programs (POSDRU).
Sabin-Alexandru Bădărau
My name is Alexandru-Sabin Bădărău and I am specialized in biodiversity conservation. I graduated Environmental Research in 1995 at the Faculty of Geography, Babeş-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca and currently I am Lecturer at the Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering of the same university. I believe that biodiversity and its conservation is one of the greatest future tests for Romania, a test that will be particularly difficult to be passed by society and specialists, taking into consideration the chaotic nature of the current economic development and the current Romanian social model. Form this point of view, I am dedicating most of my personal time to this goal by participating in many biodiversity conservation projects and by publishing materials on the conservation of local and rare endemic species (the so-called peripheral species), the most threatened of all, including biochemistry, in order to emphasize the need for their preservation.
Ciprian Petru Corpade
I am a member of the teaching staff at the Faculty of Geography since 1999 and, currently, I am Lecturer with a Ph.D. degree in Geography since 2008, awarded based on my Ph.D. thesis focused on the analysis of the environmental system of the upper Arieş River catchment area from the sustainable development and environmental planning viewpoint. My didactic and scientific activity is mostly connected to Environmental Science (environmental planning, environmental impact assessment), Geography and GIS. Besides my academic activities, in the last seven years I have been engaged as independent expert in a number of environmental projects that had a significant contribution to the achievement of a practical work experience in the academic domains I work in (environmental assessment, elaboration of management plans for protected areas). Some of the most relevant projects I took part in are Services for the Elaboration of the Management Plan and Achievement of Prior Studies (beneficiary: Eftimie Murgu University, Reșița), Services for the Achievement of Studies and Elaboration of the Management Plan for Domogled-Valea Cernei Protected Area (beneficiary: R.N.P. ROMSILVA – the Administration of Domogled – Valea Cernei National Park), Services for the elaboration of the Management Plan for Natura 2000 ROSCI0233 Someșul Rece Site (beneficiary: University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca), Services for the Elaboration of the Management Plan for Natura 2000 ROSCI0238 Suatu – Cojocna – Crairît Site (beneficiary: Environmental Protection Agency Cluj), Services for Monitoring the Conservation Status of Species of Fish Community in Romania (beneficiary: Romanian Academy, Institute of Biology, Bucharest), Services for the Elaboration of Studies on Forest Habitats of Community Interest in Natura 2000 Făgăraş Mountains and Făgăraş Piedmont Sites (beneficiary: Făgăraș Mountains Association, Rășinari), Elaboration of Management Plans for ROSCI0289 Drocea-Codru Moma Corridor and ROSCI0298 Defileul Crişului Alb (beneficiary: Around Life Association, Arad).
Csaba Horváth
I am Lecturer at the Faculty of Geography, Babeș-Bolyai University since 2009 and I am specialized in hydrologic analysis and GIS. Some of the activities I perform are the didactic activities (courses: Oceanology, Potamology, Natural Flow Regime, Research Methods in Hydrology and Meteorology) and research activities (member in projects assessing the conservation status of biodiversity – Ținutul Pădurenilor, Vașcău Plateau, Bârsău-Șomcuța). I am passionate about creating websites, which resulted in the creation of the following web pages: http://www.hcsaba.ro/, http://aerapa.conference.ubbcluj.ro/index.htm, http://centre.ubbcluj.ro/georisc/index.htm, http://riscurisicatastrofe.reviste.ubbcluj.ro/.
Lelia Papp
I am Lecturer at the Department of Regional Geography and Territorial Planning of the Faculty of Geography, Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca and member of the Centre for Regional Geography. Born in Baia Mare, I am a graduate in Geography-English Language and Literature and a MSc graduate in Extreme Geographical Phenomena and Their Associated Risks from the Faculty of Geography in Cluj-Napoca. Attracted by the integrated approach of the territorial reality specific to Regional Geography and by the indisputable application possibilities of this field in the practical work of territorial planning and management, I have chosen to fuel my didactic and research activity with the satisfaction of using the scientific, applied and didactic facets of Regional Geography. This activity was materialized in courses and seminars (Methodology of Research in Regional Geography, Regional Planning and Local Development, Integrated Territorial Analyses), in more than 20 articles elaborated as single author or in collaboration, published in Romania or abroad (Austria, France, Hungary and Italy), in the participation as member in national (Update to the Maramureş County Spatial Plan, 2008-2009) and international projects (Tisa Catchment Area Development – TICAD, 2009-2012), but also as member in the editorial board of the journal Romanian Review of Regional Studies or in national and international consultative committees (for the elaboration of the Danube:Future White Paper on Integrated Sustainable Development of the Danube River Basin, 2015).
Ana-Maria Pop
Perfectionist, responsive to new challenges and experiences, I work as researcher at the Centre for Regional Geography within the Faculty of Geography, Babeş-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. After my graduate and postgraduate studies in Geography within the Cluj School of Geography, my interest for research is continuously fuelled by the elaboration of scientific materials, published in articles or presented at scientific meetings, by the participation in various projects focused on territorial planning or by the organization of conferences. Some of the most important projects I took part in are Tisa Catchment Area Development (TICAD), Zonal Spatial Plan of Mărginimea Sibiului, Sinaia – Azuga – Buşteni – Predeal – Râşnov – Braşov – Poiana Braşov Intermunicipal Spatial Plan, Zonal Spatial Plan of the Hârtibaciu Valley, Sibiu County. Reconfiguration of the Urban-Rural Relationship in the Context of Territorial Cohesion.
Gheorghe Şerban
Born in Chişineu-Cris, Arad County, I am currently Associate Professor, Ph.D., Director of the Department of Physical and Technical Geography within the Faculty of Geography, Babeş-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. With a comprehensive professional experience, I worked as a hydrologist at “Someş-Tisa” Water Basin Administration, Cluj-Napoca, for four years and 19 years as member of the academic staff at the Faculty of Geography. The scientific contribution consists of 81 studies and articles: three books, two university courses, three practical study guides, three contributions to chapters, published in prestigious journals and publishing houses, 18 projects (16 national and 3 international), as project manager of 4 projects or as member in 15 project teams. With a good project teamwork experience, communicative, exigent, responsible, and flexible, I am currently secretary of the “Air and Water” Scientific Association, co-organizer of one national and seven international conferences. In addition, I have technical skills in mechanics and electronics, echo sounding and in using GPS. I have software skills in Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Corel Draw, SPSS, ArcView, ArcGIS, ArcINFO, AutoCad, Global Mapper, etc. and competence in water resource management for environmental and territorial planning. The scientific investigation area includes Water Management, with sub-domains such as Limnology, Hydrometry, Water Hazards and Risks, Hydrological Syntheses and Regionalisation, GPS and GIS in the study of water resources, Water Supply and Hydrogeology.
TEHNICIENI HIDROLOGI
Ştefana Banc
My name is Ştefana Banc and I am 22 years old. I am a graduate in Hydrology and Meteorology from the Faculty of Geography, Babeş-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. Currently, I am pursuing a master’s programme in Resources and Risks in Hydro-Atmospheric Environment within the same university. I am an optimistic, cheerful and enthusiastic person. I prefer to work in an environment where emphasis is put on the constant integration of new elements, instead of monotonous work. I like nature with all its wonders very much and I am fascinated by observing and understanding the phenomena and processes that stay behind everything that we, as humans, can see. Actually, this is one of the reasons I chose to study Geography.
Gheorghe-Gavrilă Hognogi
Born in Târlişua, in the Land of Năsăud, I am a graduate and postgraduate in Geography from the Faculty of Geography, Babeş-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. I was awarded the Ph.D. degree in Geography in 2015, based on my thesis entitled The Land of Haţeg. Study of Regional Geography, a study that is part of an extensive collection of regional studies focused on land-type territories called “ţară”, initiated and deeply researched by Professor Pompei Cocean. I am a photography and graphic enthusiast, a passion translated into the elaboration of cartographic materials (by using software such as ArcGIS, Corel Draw, Global Mapper, and Photoshop). Some of my most important research results include the elaboration of the chapter on the natural potential in the Development Strategy of the Commune of Aiton 2014-2050 and the elaboration of a number of articles focused on Regional Geography, Water Resources or Geomorphology.
Andrei Niţoaia
My name is Andrei Niţoaia, I am 22 years old and I am a graduate in Hydrology and Meteorology from the Faculty of Geography, Babeş-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. Currently, I am pursuing a master’s programme in Resources and Risks in Hydro-Atmospheric Environment within the same university. I consider myself a dynamic person, eager for adventure. Since childhood, I have loved nature and I was passionate about the environment, especially about mountain areas, and the participation in this project is for me a perfect opportunity to escape the everyday and spend more time in nature and enjoy its beauties.
Rareş Ciprian Petric
My name is Rareș Ciprian Petric and I am currently pursuing a master’s programme in Resources and Risks in Hydro-Atmospheric Environment at the Faculty of Geography, Babeş-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca, having previously earned my bachelor’s degree in Hydrology-Meteorology from the same university. My study years have played a crucial role in the accumulation of knowledge required to satisfy my desire for research in the fields I consider having a significant influence in my development as a student and person. My strength is teamwork, learned from different activities in various projects, but I think that responsibility and dedication represent qualities that highlight a good capacity to carry out individual requirements. Being a hiking enthusiast, I spend my free time exploring the beauties of nature and I try, as much as possible, to convey this feeling to other people who have not had the luck or interest to discover our beautiful landscapes.
Ionuţ Răzvan Ponciş
My name is Ionuț Răzvan Ponciș, I am 22 years old and I am a graduate in Hydrology and Meteorology from the Faculty of Geography, Babeş-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. Currently, I am pursuing a master’s programme in Resources and Risks in Hydro-Atmospheric Environment within the same university. I am a nature lover from an early age and a Geography enthusiast from my first contact with nature. I am an active, ambitious and persistent person, and the involvement in this project team gives me the chance to prove my teamwork skills and to gain an in-depth knowledge of nature.
Simona Pop
My name is Simona Pop, I am a graduate in Hydrology and Meteorology from the Faculty of Geography, Babeş-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca and I am currently pursuing a master’s programme in Geomatics within the same faculty. At 22 years old, I can say that I have come to know me well enough to know what I want when put in different situations. I am a flexible person while the work requires both teamwork and individual work and I am always looking for good understanding and communication between the parties involved. I believe that the fields I have chosen to study are in full development and the fact that I can contribute to this process makes me enthusiastic. I love and respect the environment around us and I try, like others, to transmit these values forward, so that humans should be aware of the need for communion with nature.
Sebastian Grigore Rafan
I am a third-year student in Hydrology and Meteorology at the Faculty of Geography, Babeş-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. I am a good connoisseur of the physico-geographical aspects of the environment and an equally passionate about Hydrology, Ecology and adventure.
Daniel Andrei Sabău
I am a third-year student in Hydrology and Meteorology at the Faculty of Geography, Babeş-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. I am a good connoisseur of the physico-geographical aspects of the environment, with experience in the field of Botany, acquired while conducting research on the botanical reserves and participating in various national symposiums. At the same time, I am passionate about Hydrology, GIS and Ecology.
Robert Stanciu 
My name is Robert Stanciu, specialized in Hydrology and Meteorology and graduate of the Faculty of Geography, Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. Currently, I am pursuing a master’s program in Resources and Risks in Hydro-atmospheric Environment at the same institution. The experience gained over the years of study, together with my own vision, has aroused my lust for knowledge and the ability to adapt myself to different situations. With a calculated and innovative temper, I am always giving my best to create concepts that can harmonize the relationship between various factors or entities. I prefer both teamwork and individual work since both of them lead to an objective and relevant result, a vital factor in scientific research. I love the natural landscape, which results into my passion for photography. I believe that man can create a balance between anthropogenic and natural by valuing both factors equally and I try to pass on this principle so that man should become more aware of the need for collaboration.