Tulcea marks 100 years of scientific research in the Danube Delta through the international conference “History and Future of Wetland Health”

On 12–13 May 2026, Tulcea hosted the anniversary conference “The History and Future of Wetland Health – 100 Years of Research for Sustainable Management in the Danube Delta”, organized by the Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development (DDNI) in partnership with ICEM Tulcea and the “Grigore Antipa” National Museum of Natural History.

The event marked 100 years of scientific research in the Danube Delta, dating back to 1926, when the Tulcea Hydrobiological Research Station was established by the renowned scientist Grigore Antipa.

The conference brought together representatives of academia and public authorities, researchers, and national and international partners working in environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development.

The programme focused on the evolution of scientific research in the Danube Delta and current priorities related to wetland ecosystem health, ecological restoration, climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable management of natural resources. An important milestone was the signing of an international cooperation agreement between DDNI Tulcea and Ludovika University of Public Service in Budapest, Hungary.

The anniversary programme also included an exhibition dedicated to the Centennial of scientific research in the Danube Delta, the awarding of DDNI Certificates of Merit, and presentations of the Institute’s main research projects and current scientific activities.

On 13 May, participants joined a field visit to the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, including the areas of Maliuc and Mila 23, where examples of ecological restoration, biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, and sustainable use of natural resources were presented.

Through this anniversary conference, DDNI Tulcea reaffirmed the essential role of scientific research in the protection and sustainable management of the Danube Delta, while strengthening cooperation between the scientific community, public institutions, and national and international partners committed to conserving one of Europe’s most valuable wetland ecosystems.

Press Release
Program
Poster

Promoting technology transfer for sustainable mobility, valorization of bioresources and use of green energy in the South-East Region

The “Danube Delta” National Institute for Research and Development Tulcea in partnership with INCDIE ICPE-CA and UNST POLITEHNICA Bucharest organize in Tulcea, from 14 to 16 October 2025, the regional technology transfer festival “GreenFesTT-SE”, as part of the series of events “Stakeholder dialogues on sustainable development strategies: lessons, opportunities and case studies”. The event is financed by the project “Promoting technology transfer for sustainable mobility, valorization of bioresources and use of green energy in the South-East Region”, the Technology Transfer Festival (FTT) competition of UEFISCDI, PN IV, Program 5.7 – Partnership for Innovation.

The main domain is Climate, Energy and Mobility, the main subdomain – Towards climate-neutral and environmentally friendly mobility and resilience. The theme of the GreenFesTT-SE festival is relevant for regional and national economic development, focusing on the valorization of research and innovation results and on technology transfer in the regional private sector. Following the needs identified in the S-E Region, the transformation of scientific research results that have reached an advanced level of technological maturity into concrete solutions applicable in the economic sector, with a real impact on regional development, will be promoted. The festival will play an important role in facilitating collaboration between researchers, companies and authorities, contributing to the development of the regional innovation ecosystem.

The event will present technological solutions for sustainable mobility, responsible use of bioresources and circular economy and renewable energy sources. Following the specifics of the region, technological solutions that contribute to environmental protection, sustainable management of natural resources and maintaining biodiversity will be discussed. Other smart specializations specific to the region will also be promoted, engineering and naval transport, tourism, ICT, High Tech, nanotechnologies and advanced materials, following the development needs of the S-E region.

GreenFesTT-SE will be a catalyst for cooperation between start-ups and business incubators or accelerators, innovation HUBs (DIH) by providing them with a learning and development context. The festival will stimulate the development of existing businesses or the initiation of new businesses and will attract investments in the region, which can lead to the creation of jobs in high-tech fields, an institutional development framework for regional universities that can develop new educational programs, adapted to the new demands of the labor market. The event will attract investors from the country or abroad interested in emerging technologies, thus contributing to the sustainable economic development of the S-E Region.

The entities in the ReNITT network will benefit from visibility and strategic partnerships, facilitating technology transfer to the private sector. GreenFesTT-SE will play an essential role in aligning the region with the priorities of the European Union in terms of innovation and digitalization, which will lead to attracting non-reimbursable European funding and other forms of support from European institutions. The event will support the development of skills in emerging technological fields in accordance with the National Strategy for Research, Innovation and Smart Specialization 2022 – 2027.

Department: MANAGEMENT | GENERAL DIRECTOR / PRINCIPAL RESEARCHER

Expertise: Ecological Reconstruction, Habitats

Team: Management

Contact:

Email: office@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 int.: 101

Principal researcher, licensed in Ecology and also PhD at “Ovidius” University from Constanta – Environmental Scienes faculty focusing onEnvironment Protection – Ecology. Had participated in over 15 specialized courses both national and international, coordinated over 14 national and international projects, published 19 ISI articles, one patent, published 14 papers at various acknowledged scientific events national and international, a book and 8 book chapters.

Departament: DEZVOLTARE TEHNOLOGICA, TRANSFER TEHNOLOGIC SI PLANIFICARE SPATIALA

Expertiza: Desen Tehnic, Proiectare, Incarcare Baze de Date

Echipa: Dezvoltare Tehnologica, Transfer Tehnologic si Planificare Spatiala

Contact:

Email: mihaela.nichifor@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 int.: 167

Mihaela Nichifor este Tehnician Proiectant in cadrul Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare „Delta Dunarii” din anul 1991 cu urmatoarele atributii: executarea lucrarilor de birou in domeniul proiectarii; fotointerpretare; gestiune si arhivare proiecte; activitate de secretariat; sarcivi cu caracter administrativ; documentare si colectare de date; verificarea calitatii documentelor, actelor si a materialelor studiilor de proiectare.

Department: TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT, TRANSFER AND SPATIAL PLANNING

Expertise: Technician, Drawing Design, Database Loading

Team: Technological Development, Treansfer and Spatial Planning

Contact:

Email: mihaela.nichifor@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 int.: 167

Mihaela Nichifor is a Research and Development Technician in “Danube Delta” National Institute since 1991 and the main attributions are: implementation of development projects; photointerpretation; administration and project archiving; secretatial activities; administrative tasks; documentation and data collection; quality check.

Departament: DEZVOLTARE TEHNOLOGICA, TRANSFER TEHNOLOGIC SI PLANIFICARE SPATIALA

Expertiza: Modelare Hidraulica 1D2D, GIS

Echipa: Dezvoltare Tehnologica, Transfer Tehnologic si Planificare Spatiala

Contact:

Email: adrian.constantinescu@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 int.: 134

Constantinescu Adrian Cornel este inginer IDT I cu specializare in modelare hidrologica si GIS. Are o experienta de 20 ani in modelare hidrologica utilizand softul specializat Sobek Rural 1D2D si 25 de ani in procesare GIS. Principalele realizari pe partea de modelare hidrologica sunt legate de participarea la proiecte FP si nationale:

– “ Centre of Excellence – DELWET” prin modelul hidraulic al Deltei Dunarii (inceput in 1997 si actualizat permanent) pentru care a primit Diploma Sesiunii Stiintifice Romane 2000 pentru „Modelul hidrologic al Deltei Dunarii”,

– FP5 “Nutrient Management in the Danube Basin and its Impact on the Black Sea – DANUBS”, prin modelul hidrochimic la Deltei Dunarii,

– “Redimensionarea ecologica a luncii Dunarii – REELD”, 2008 prin realizarea modelului hidraulic al Dunarii de la Gruia la marea Neagra,

– SEE- INTERREG IV B “STAKEHOLDER ORIENTED FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT FOR THE DANUBE FLOODPLAINS (“DANUBE FLOODRISK”), 2009-2012 prin realizarea hartilor de hazard si risc la inundatii in lunca Dunarii de la Gruia la Marea Neagra,

– POS Mediu “Elaborarea unui suport cartografic digital de rezoluţie înaltă necesar implementării planurilor, strategiilor şi a schemelor de management în Rezervaţia Biosferei Delta Dunării” 2009-2012 prin modelul hidraulic al Deltei Dunarii si scenarii de renaturare,

– “MARS” project (Managing Aquatic ecosystems and water Resources under multiple Stress) funded under the 7th EU Framework Programme, prin modelarea lacurilor din Delta Dunarii utilizand Aquatox.

Principalele realizari pe partea GIS sunt legate de participarea la proiecte FP si nationale:

– Harti tematice ale Deltei Dunarii (vegetatie, sol, inundabilitate) pentru care a primit Nederlandse Vereninging voor Kartografie Technical Cartography Award 1994 for Danube Delta soil map,

– Phare-Ro “Establishment of an information system and a database for water management field according to the requirements of the water framework directive” 2008 prin harta retelei hidrografice a Romaniei si a statiilor de tratare/epurare a apei,

– PN II “Inventarierea pajistilor naturale cu biodiversitate ridicata din Romania in vederea fundamentarii stiintifice a masurilor de management pentru conservarea acestora-NARDUS” 2007-2010, prin procesarea GIS a hartilor,

– PN II „Harta Micropotenţialului Hidroenergetic al României – abordări complexe tehnico-economice HARMIH-RO” 2008-2010 pentru hartile hidrografice ale debitelor raurilor din Romania,

– Corine Land Cover (1995, 2000, 2006, 2012, 2018),

– A black Sea network promoting integrated natural Wastewater treatment systems – “WASTE-net” (Retea pentru Marea Neagra de promovare a sistemelor integrate de tratare naturala a apelor uzate), 2013-2015 pentru identificarea/evaluare potentialului utilizarii procedeelor naturale de epurare a apelor menajere ale localitatilor din Romania cu o populatie sub 2000 de locuitori,

– Program Nucleu 2016-2020 Elaborarea hărților de risc și hazard la inundații pentru localitățile din Delta Dunării.

Department: TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT, TRANSFER AND SPATIAL PLANNING

Expertise: 1D2D Hydraulic Modeling, GIS

Team: Technological Development, Treansfer and Spatial Planning

Contact:

Email: adrian.constantinescu@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 int.: 134

Adrian Constantinescu Cornel is an engineer specializing in hydrological modeling and GIS. He has 20 years of experience in hydrological modeling using specialized software Rural 1D2D Sobek and 25 years in GIS processing. The main achievements on the hydrological modeling are related to participation in FP and national projects:

– “Centre of Excellence – DELWET” by hydraulic model of the Danube Delta (beginning in 1997 and constantly updated) for which she received Diploma Romanian Scientific Session 2000 “hydrological model of the Danube Delta”

– FP5 “Nutrient Management in the Danube Basin and Its Impact on the Black Sea – DANUBS” by hydro chemical model in the Danube Delta

– “Resize ecological floodplain Danube – REELD” in 2008 by conducting hydraulic model of the Danube from the Black Sea Gruia,

– SEE INTERREG IVB “stakeholder FLOOD RISK ORIENTED ASSESSMENT FOR THE DANUBE FLOODPLAINS (” DANUBE FLOODRISK “), from 2009 to 2012 by making hazard maps and flood risk in the Danube Floodplain Gruia Black Sea

– SOP “Developing a high-resolution digital cartographic support needed to implement the plans, strategies and management schemes in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve” 2009-2012, by hydraulic model of the Danube Delta and scenarios of renaturation

– “MARS” project (Managing Aquatic Resources under multiple ecosystems and water stress) Funded under the EU 7th Framework Program, by modeling using Aquatox Delta lakes.

GIS on the main achievements are related to participation in FP and national projects:

– Thematic Maps of the Danube Delta (vegetation, soil, flooding) for which he received voor Nederlandse Vereninging KARTOGRAFIA 1994 Award for Technical Cartography Danube Delta soil map,

– Phare-Ro “Establishment of year and the database information system for water management field According to the Requirements of the Water Framework Directive” 2008, by hydrographic network map of Romania and potable water treatment / water treatment,

– PN II “Inventory of natural grasslands with high biodiversity in Romania in order to substantiate scientific management measures for their conservation-Nardus” 2007-2010 by processing GIS maps,

– PN II “Hydropower Potential Map of Romania – complex technical and economic approach HARMIH-E” hydrographic maps 2008-2010 for the flow of rivers in Romania,

– Corine Land Cover (1995, 2000, 2006, 2012, 2018),

– Promoting integrated network A Black Sea natural Wastewater treatment systems – “WASTE-net” (Network for the Black Sea to promote integrated systems for natural treatment of wastewater) from 2013 to 2015 for identifying / evaluating the potential use of natural water treatment processes household of localities in Romania with a population under 2,000 inhabitants,

– National Program 2016-2020 Develop risk maps and flood hazard to localities in the Danube Delta.

Departament: CENTRUL DE INFORMARE TEHNOLOGICA „DELTA DUNARII”

Expertiza: Monitorizarea şi managementul mediului, Turism, Informare si Transfer Tehnologic, Organizare Evenimente Stiintifice

Echipa: CENTRUL DE INFORMARE TEHNOLOGICA „DELTA DUNARII”

Contact:

Email: edward.bratfanof@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 int.: 126

Edward Bratfanof – Facultatea de Silvicultură și Exploatări Forestiere, Universitatea Transilvania din Brașov (5 ani), licențiat în: Ingineria Mediului (1995). Un alt Master în Management și Monitorizare a Mediului (2016), Universitatea „Dunărea de Jos” din Galați. Doctorand în Inginerie Industrială – Universitatea „Dunărea de Jos” din Galați, intitulată „Studii privind impactul antropic asupra sturionilor la nivelul brațului Chilia din RBDD”. Coordonează activitățile specifice departamentului CIT DD din 2014, a elaborat Strategia de dezvoltare și Planul de afaceri al DD TIC. Obiective principale: Crearea unui pol de competitivitate și inovare în regiunea Dobrogea și promovarea sustenabilității în Delta Dunării, pentru care a contribuit la înființarea clusterului 3D Edaphic-BLOOM Dunărea. A fost implicat în numeroase proiecte precum: WETECOS, TARCHS, Restoration-DD Restoration of Sontea – Fortuna Wetland Ecosystems, Creating Interfaces – Belmont, Danubius RI – Support Project, Flood-Serv, Lucas, RAIN Solutions, ResponSEAble – Ocean Literacy, SCENT , Danurb+, Anadrom, BlueNIGHTs, EDAPHIC -BLOOM Dunărea, EcoDALLi, DaWetRest, Restore4Life și altele. Organizează numeroase evenimente științifice internaționale, naționale sau regionale, precum: Simpozionul Internațional „Deltas & Wetlands”, „Dialogii cu părțile interesate privind strategiile de dezvoltare durabilă: lecții, oportunități, studii de caz – 4 DELTA”.

Department: DANUBE DELTA TECHNOLOGICAL INFORMATION CENTER

Expertise: Environmental Management and Monitoring, Tourism, Technological Transfer and Information, Organizing Scientific Events

Team: DANUBE DELTA TECHNOLOGICAL INFORMATION CENTER

Contact:

Email: edward.bratfanof@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 int.: 126

Edward Bratfanof – Faculty of Silviculture and Forest Engineering, Transilvania University of Brasov (5 years), licensed in: Environmental Engineering (1995). Another Master in Environmental Management and Monitoring (2016), “Lower Danube” University of Galati. PhD student in Industrial Engineering – “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, entitled “Studies on the anthropogenic impact on sturgeons in the Chilia arm of the DDBR”. He coordinates the specific activities of the DD TIC department since 2014, elaborated the Development Strategy and the Business Plan of the DD TIC. Main objectives: Creating a pole of competitiveness and innovation in the Dobrogea region and promoting sustainability in the Danube Delta, for which he contributed to the establishment of the 3D Edaphic-BLOOM Danube cluster. He was involved in numerous projects such as : WETECOS, TARCHS, Restoration-DD Restoration of Sontea – Fortuna Wetland Ecosystems, Creating Interfaces – Belmont, Danubius RI – Support Project, Flood-Serv, Lucas, RAIN Solutions, ResponSEAble – Ocean Literacy, SCENT, Danurb+, Anadrom, BlueNIGHTs, EDAPHIC -BLOOM Danube, EcoDALLi, DaWetRest, Restore4Life and others. He organizes many international, national or regional scientific events, such as: “Deltas & Wetlands” International Symposium, “Stakeholder dialogues regarding sustainable development strategies: lessons, opportunities, case studies – 4 DELTA”.

Department: LABORATORIES AND RESEARCH BASES

Expertise: Aquatic Ecology, Zooplankton

Team: Hyrdobiology Laboratory

Contact:

Email: iasemin.suliman@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 int.: 161

Iasemin Suliman, graduated from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences “Ovidius” University of Constanța, in 2008.
In 2010 she graduate a Master degree in Management of Environmental Impacts. Since 2017 has been working at the “Danube Delta” National Institute for Research and Development, Tulcea as Research Assistant.
Currently she is scientific researcher in the team of the Hydrobiology Laboratory and PhD student at Doctoral School of Applied Sciences, “Ovidius” University of Constanța, She is involved in various projects that aim to evaluate the quality of aquatic ecosystems.
The main responsability being the study and characterization of zooplankton communities from the aquatic ecosystems of the Danube Delta.

Departament: LABORATOARE SI BAZE DE CERCETARE

Expertiza: Chimia Mediului, Geochimie si Biotehnologie

Echipa: Laboratorul de Chimie

Contact:

Email: cristina.despina@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 int.: 136

Cercetător în cadrul INCDDD, Tulcea, Romania, doctor în Știința Materialelor din anul 2010, cu experiență în chimia mediului, impactul factorilor de mediu asupra prezenței micropoluanților organic și anorganici în ecosistemele acvatice, experiență în spectrometria de masă cu plasmă cuplată inductiv, gazcromatografie cu spectrometrie de masă, spectroscopie moleculară în UVVIS, absorbţie atomică cu vapori reci (CVAAS). A fost colaborator în numeroase proiecte naționale și internaționale și este autorul mai multor publicații în reviste cotate ISI (9), reviste indexate în baze de date internaționale (3) și coautor al unui capitol de carte.

Departament: LABORATOARE SI BAZE DE CERCETARE

Expertiza: Chimia Mediului si Geochimie

Echipa: Laboratorul de Chimie

Contact:

Email: liliana.teodorof@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 int.: 186

Cercetător științific în cadrul INCDDD Tulcea și coordonatorul Departamentului Laboratoare și Baze de Cercetare. Este Licențiată în Chimie (Facultatea de chimie din cadrul Universității București, 1991) și Doctor în Chimie (Facultatea de chimie din cadrul Universității București, 2009). Are o vastă experiență în spectrometria de masă cu plasmă cuplată inductiv, gaz cromatografie/ spectrometrie de masă, spectroscopie moleculară în UVVIS, absorbţie atomică cu vapori reci și cu flacără, spectrometrie în infraroșu. Are o experiență de peste 26 de ani în evaluarea, acumularea și transferul poluanților în sistemul aer-apă de suprafață-sol/sedimente-floră și fauna terestră/acvatică, dezvoltare durabilă, evaluarea impactului de mediu. Este coautor la 6 cărți și la 4 capitole de carți, din care 2 ca prim autor. A publicat 13 articole publicate în reviste cotate ISI din care 6 ca prim autor, 1 articol în extenso într-o revistă indexată ISI, 8 articole extenso publicate în reviste indexate în baze de date internaţionale (BDI). A coordonat 8 proiecte/contracte naționale. Este membru B.EN.A– Balkan Environmental Association și membru I.A.D. – International Association of Danube River Research, Viena, Austria. A fost profesor asociat al Universității École Nationale Supérieure Agronomique de Toulouse (2002, 2004) și profesor asociat la Masterul Dezvoltare Durabilă și Protecția Biodiversității al Universității Tehnice de la Cluj.

Department: LABORATORIES AND RESEARCH BASES

Expertise: Environmental Chemistry, Geo-Chemistry

Team: Chemistry Laboratory

Contact:

Email: liliana.teodorof@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 int.: 186

Research Scientist at DDNI Tulcea and the head of the Laboratories and Research Facilities Department. Has a degree in Chemistry (Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bucharest, 1991) and the scientific title of Doctor in Chemistry (Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bucharest, 2009). She has extensive experience in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), gas chromatography / mass spectrometry, UV-VIS molecular spectroscopy, atomic absorption with cold vapor and flames, infrared spectrometry. Her experience spans over 26 years in evaluation, accumulation and transfer of pollutants in systems such as air – surface-water – soil / sediments-flora and aquatic/terrestrial fauna, sustainable development, environmental impact assessment. Is co-author of 6 books and 4 book chapters. Has published 13 articles in ISI journals with impact factor, out of which 6 as first author, an article in extenso in an ISI indexed journal and 8 articles in IDB indexed journals. Has been the coordinator of 8 national research projects. Is a member of Balkan Environmental Association (B.E.N.A) and International Association of Danube River Research (I.A.D), Vienna, Austria. Was an associate professor at the School of Agricultural and Life Sciences of Toulouse, France (2002, 2004) and associate professor in the Master of Sustainable Development and Biodiversity Protection at the Technical University of Cluj.

Departament: CONSERVAREA BIODIVERSITATII SI UTILIZAREA DURABILA A RESURSELOR NATURALE

Expertiza: Ornitologie, Resurse Cinegetice, Zoonoze (în care sunt implicate păsările și mamiferele), Ecologie, Mamalogie, Natura 2000, studii de impact asupra mediului

Contact:

Email: mihai.marinov@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 int.: 157

Dr. Mihai Marinov (specialist în ornitologie, ecologie, zoonoze în care sunt implicate păsările și mamiferele, ecologie și Natura 2000) a terminat facultatea de Ecologie, în profilul de Biologice cu specializarea Ecologie, în anul 2002. În anul 2012 a susținut public teza de doctorat cu titlul ”Ornitofauna Rezervației Biosferei Delta Dunării și implicația acesteia în transmiterea virusului West Nile”, la București în cadrul Universității din București, în urma căreia obține titlul de doctor în Biologie. Lucrează în cadrul Institutului Național Delta Dunării din anul 2003, inițial în Departamentul de Biodiversitate (echipele de ornitologie și resurse cinegetice) iar din anul 2016 conduce Departamentul Centrul pentru Studiul Bolilor Transfrontaliere, Emergente si Zoonozelor. Principalele sale interese de cercetare sunt ecologia ornitofaunei din România, zoonozele în care sunt implicate păsările și mamiferele din Delta Dunării, resursele cinegetice și implementarea Rețelei Natura 2000 în România. Din perspectiva Departamentului pe care îl conduce, din anul 2005 și până în prezent cercetează ecologia virusului West Nile în colaborare cu Instituții din România, Franța, Austria, Spania, Italia, Republica Cehă, Marea Britanie și Ungaria (proiecte precum EDEN – FP6, EDENext – FP7, ROVETNILE – Biotech). Din perspectiva cercetării virusului West Nile, pe lângă investigații asupra speciilor rezervor și a vectorilor se ocupă și de realizarea de modele de prognozare a infecțiilor cu virusul studiat. Împreună cu colaboratorii a identificat speciile de păsări implicate în transmiterea virusului West Nile respectiv a identificat pentru prima dată în Europa prezența virusului West Nile într-o specie de Ixodidae. Actualmente, împreună cu instituții partenere din România lucrează la modelarea epidemiologie virusului West Nile prin monitorizare cu ajutorul dronelor (proiectul WNV-RPAS – PN II) respective instruiește doctoranzi din România și Serbia în domeniul tehnicilor de recoltare de material biologic și ecologia agenților patogeni din zone umede (proiectul AMSAR – SCOPE finanțare elvețiană). Pe lângă studiul virusului West Nile sunt realizate sau vizate studii, cercetări și proiecte cu privire la Pesta Porcină Africană, Boala Carre, Hepatita E, Gripa Aviară, Trichineloza, Encefalita de căpuşă, Febra hemoragică Crimeea-Congo, Febra hemoragică Dengue, Febra hemoragică Chikungunya ș.a.

Department: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Expertise: Ornithology, Game Resources, Zoonosys (in which are involved birds and mammals), Ecology, Mammalogy, Natura 2000, Environmental Impact Assessment

Contact:

Email: mihai.marinov@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 int.: 157

PhD Mihai Marinov (specialist in ornithology, ecology, zoonosys in which are involved birds and mammals, ecology, mammalogy) has graduated in 2002 Faculty of Biology, Biology profile, Ecology Specialization. In 2012 he defended his PhD thesis entitled “The ornithofauna of Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve and its implication in the transmission of West Nile virus” at the University of Bucharest, after which obtained a PhD in Biology. He is working in the Danube Delta National Institute since 2003, initially in the Department of Biodiversity (Irnithology and Hunting and Game species teams) and from 2016 leads the Centre for the study of transborder and emergent diseases and zoonosys. His main research interests are ecology of birds, zoonosys involving birds and mammals in the Danube Delta, wildlife resources and implementation of the Natura 2000 Network in Romania. From the perspective of the Department he leads, since 2005 until now, he investigates the ecology of West Nile virus in co-operation with institutions from Romania, France, Austria, Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, Great Britain and Hungary (projects such as EDEN – FP6, EDENext – FP7, ROVETNILE – Biotech). From the perspective of West Nile virus research, in addition to investigations of reservoir and vector species, he deals with making forecasting models of infections with the studied virus. Together with collaborators he identified the bird species most involved in the transmission of West Nile virus, respectively, identifying for the first time in Europe the presence of West Nile virus in a species of Ixodidae. Currently, together with partner institutions in Romania he is working on modelling the epidemiology of West Nile virus by monitoring using drones (project WNV-PSUR – PN II), respectively, he trains PhD students from Romania and Serbia in techniques for harvesting biological material and ecology of pathogens in wet areas (AMSAR project – Swiss finance SCOPE). Besides the study of West Nile virus are conducted or targeted studies, research and projects on the African swine fever, distemper, hepatitis E, Avian Influenza, trichinosis, Tick borne encephalitis, hemorrhagic fever Crimean-Congo, haemorrhagic fever Dengue, hemorrhagic fever Chikungunya etc.

Departament: SISTEM INFORMATIONAL SI GEOMATICA

Expertiza: Sisteme Informationale Geografice si Teledetectie

Echipa: SISTEM INFORMATIONAL SI GEOMATICA

Contact:

Email: ion.grigoras@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 int.: 142

Dr. Ion Grigoras este cercetător ştiinţific gradul I şi coordonatorul Departamentului Sistem Informațional și Geomatică din cadrul INCDDD. Are expertiză în: baze de date, GIS și teledetecție, aplicaţii web aplicate pentru mediu. Are 33 de ani de experiență în domeniul IT, din care 26 a colaborat cu biologi pentru structurarea informației de mediu, în combinație cu alte date spațiale, inclusiv ortofoto și imagini satelitare. A participat ca expert GIS / teledetecție în proiecte de mediu localizate în Ucraina, Federația Rusă și Africa de Vest (1999-2005, 2016-2017) și a făcut parte din echipa care a coordonat Corine Land Cover 2000, 2006, 2012 pentru România. A fost coordonator al proiectelor care a realizat rețeaua Natura 2000 în România (2005-2012) si a proiectat prima versiune a bazei de date web pentru rețeaua Natura 2000.

Department: INFORMATIC SYSTEM AND GEOMATICS

Expertise: Geographical Informational Systems and Remote Sensing

Team: INFORMATIONAL SYSTEM AND GEOMATICS

Contact:

Email: ion.grigoras@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 int.: 142

Dr. Grigoras Ion is senior researcher and head of Geomatics and Information Systems department at Danube Delta National Institute. Main expertise in: databases, GIS and remote sensing, web application applied in environment. He has 34 years experience in IT from which 26 working with biologists, structuring environment information in combination with other spatial data including LIDAR, orthophoto and satellite images. Was GIS / remote sensing expert in environmental projects located in Ukraine, Russian Federation and West Africa (1999-2005, 2016-2017) and in the team that coordinate the Corine Land Cover 2000, 2006, 2012 for Romania. He was coordinator of projects that set up Natura2000 network in Romania (2005-2016) and had designed the web Natura 2000 database.

Departament: RESTAURARE ECOLOGICĂ ŞI REDRESARE SPECII

Expertiza: Teledetecție, Fotointerpretare, Reconstrucție ecologică

Echipa: Grupul de Cercetare Restaurare Ecologică

Contact:

Email: jenica.hanganu@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 int.: 143

Jenică HANGANU, născut în 1956. Cercetător Științific Gr. I. Din anul 1984 lucrează la Institutul Național de Cercetare – Dezvoltare Delta Dunării, Tulcea, România. Principalele activități au fost cele de cartare a vegetației și solurilor, cartografierea și gestionarea ecosistemelor stuficole din Delta Dunării, teledetecție și fotointerpretare. A contribuit la elaborarea hărții solurilor din Delta Dunării si la producția hărților de vegetație din Delta Dunării. Proiectele Comisiei Europene pe care le-a coordonat sunt: EUREED II, REBECCA, EnviroGRIDS, Helm, MARS precum si proiecte nationale ale Agenției Europene de Mediu: CORINE Land Cover 2000, 2006, 2012 și NARDUS care a avut ca obiectiv inventarierea pajiștilor semi-naturale din România.

Department: ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION AND SPECIES RECOVERY

Expertise: Remote Sensing, Photo Interpretation, Ecological Reconstruction

Team: Ecological restoration Research Group

Contact:

Email: jenica.hanganu@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 int.: 143

Jenică HANGANU, born in 1956. Senior scientist. Since 1984 he has been working for the Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development, Tulcea, Romania. The main activities were focus on vegetation and soil survey and mapping, management of the Phragmites ecosystems in the Danube Delta, remote sensing and photo interpretation. He has contributed in the elaboration of the Danube Delta soil map and initiate and coordinate production of the Danube Delta vegetation maps. He was local coordinator of several EC projects: EUREED II – Dynamic and stability of the Phragmites Ecosystems – REBECCA, EnviroGRIDS, HELM and MARS. He has lead the national research project NARDUS dealing with inventory of semi-natural grasslands in Romania and was national coordinator of the CORINE Land Cover 2000, 2006 and CLC 2012 GMES / Copernicus Initial Operations (GIO) land monitoring 2011-2013 in the framework of regulation (EU) No 911/2010 – pan-European component EEA projects).

Departament: DEPARTAMENTUL CONSERVARE A BIODIVERSITĂŢII ŞI UTILIZARE DURABILĂ A RESURSELOR NATURALE

Expertiza: Pescării Ape Interioare, Evaluarea Stocurilor Peștilor de Apă Dulce, Ihtiologie, Pești Migratori, Resurse Naturale Acvatice, Ecologie Acvatică

Contacte:

Email: ion.navodaru@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 interior: 163

Dr. Ion NĂVODARU este cercetător principal în cadrul departamentului Conservarea Biodiversității și Utilizarea Durabilă a Resurselor Naturale și liderul echipei de cercetare a Utilizării Durabile a Resurselor Naturale din Institutul Național de Cercetare – Dezvoltare Delta Dunării. El are 35 de ani de experiență în domeniul cercetării pescăriilor interioare de apă dulce, a publicat o carte, 14 capitole de carte, 86 de lucrări științifice și a prezentat mai mult de 100 de lucrări științifice. Actual, coordonează Programul National NUCLEU „Delta Dunării”, proiectului H2020 CERES – Schimbările Climatice și Resursele Acvatice Europene, de asemenea colaborează în proiectul H2020 denumit AQUACROSS- ”Cunoștințe, Evaluare și Management pentru Biodiversitatea Acvatică și Serviciile Ecosistemelor în acord cu politicile UE” și este membru în Comitetul de Management al Acțiuni COST CA15219 ”DNAqua-net „Dezvoltarea de noi instrumente pentru Bioassessment genetice a ecosistemelor acvatice din Europa”. De asemenea a fost responsabilul ca și partener la diferite proiecte finanțate de UE precum: PC6 (GEM-CON-BIO), PC7 (TESS), COST UE (CA635 INTERCAFE) și BSB – JOP pentru Marea Neagră în proiectul ”Black Sea e-Eye”. De-a lungul carierei a fost lider de pentru 22 proiecte naționale și colaborator în alte 14 proiecte. Ion este membru al Consiliului Consultativ Științific al Sectorului Pescăresc din Romania și membru a mai multor organizații profesionale internaționale, cum ar fi Fundația Ihtiologilor Europeni, Fundația Scrumbiilor, Societatea Eurosturio, Grupul European de Utilizarea Durabilă a IUCN. Ocazional a făcut revizuiri de manuscrise pentru reviste științifice, cum ar Fisheries Management and Ecology, Folia Zoologica, Cybium, Journal of Fish Biology, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, and Society and Natural Resources.

Department: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES – Natural resources

Expertise: Inland Fishery, Fish Stock Assessment, Ichthyology, Migratory Fish Shad and Sturgeons, Aquatic Natural Resources, Aquatic Ecology

Team:

Contacts:

Email: ion.navodaru@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 interior: 163

Dr. Ion NĂVODARU is a senior scientist, part of Conservation of Biodiversity and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources department and leader of Sustainable Use of Natural Resources team at Danube Delta National Institute for Research & Development. He has 35 years of experience in inland fisheries research, published one book, 14 book-chapters, 86 scientific papers and presented more than 100 scientific works. Actually has leading National Progarmm NUCLEUS ”Danube Delta” and H2020 project CERES – Climate change and European aquatic RESources, but also collaborates in other H2020 project named AQUACROSS- ”Knowledge, Assessment and Management for AQUAtic Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services aCROSS EU policies” and is member on Management Committee of EU COST Action CA15219 DNAqua-Net ”Developing new genetic tools for bioassessment of aquatic ecosystems in Europe”. He was also lead partner of various EU projects: FP6 (GEM-CON-BIO), FP7 (TESS), and EU COST (CA635 INTERCAFE) and BSB – JOP, Black Sea e-Eye project. Along his carrier has leading 22 and collaborate in 14 national projects. He is a member of the Romanian Scientific Advisory Council of Fisheries Sector and of several international professional organisations, such as the European Ichthyologycal Society, Shad Foundation, Eurosturio, European Sustainable Use Group of IUCN. Ion occasionally reviews scientific manuscripts for journals, such as Fisheries Management and Ecology, Folia Zoologica, Cybium, Journal of Fish Biology, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, and Society and Natural Resources.

Prof. Dr. Z. S. Andreopoulou, Aristotel University of Thessaloniki, Greece;
Prof. Dr. A. Bacu, University of Tirana, Albania;
Prof. Dr. Tom Buijse, Department of Ecology & Water Quality, Deltares, Utrecht (the Netherlands);
Prof. Dr. C. Constantin, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Romania;
Dr. Delia Dimitriu, Manchester Metropolitan University Center for Aviation, Transport and Environment, UK;
Prof. Dr. M. Fenice, Tuscia University, Viterbo, Italy;
Prof. Dr. T. Florijančić, University of Osijek, Croatia;
Prof. dr. doc. Petre Gâştescu, „Hyperion” University, Bucharest, Romania;
Prof. dr. ing. Lucian Puiu Georgescu, „Dunărea de Jos” University Galaţi, Romania;
CSI Dr. Mariana Golumbeanu, National Institute for Marine Research and Development “Grigore Antipa”, Romania;
Prof. Dr. Z. Grgić, University of Zagreb, Croatia;
Prof. Dr. V. Guberac, University of Osijek, Croatia;
Prof. Dr. Thomas Hein, Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, BOKU, Vienna;
Dr. Ming Jiang, Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology Chinese Academy of Sciences;
Dr. Lidia Lenuţa Bălan – Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization

Prof. Dr. M. Kochubovski, University St. Cyril and Methodius, Skopje, FYR Macedonia;
Prof. Dr. A. Kokkinakis, Aristotel University of Thessaloniki, Greece;
Prof. Dr. Y. Kurucu, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey;
Dr. Eng. Iulian Nichersu, Danube Delta National Institute for R&D, Tulcea, Romania;
Dr. Ion Năvodaru, Danube Delta National Institute for R&D, Tulcea, Romania;
Prof. Dr. S. Ozimec, University of Osijek, Croatia;
Acad. Prof. Dr. ing. Nicolae Panin, Romanian Academy;
Prof. Dr. M. Popa “1 December 1918” University of Alba Iulia, Romania;
Prof. Dr. Manuela Moreira Da Silva, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal;
Prof. Dr. Elchin Hafiz Sultanov, Director of Azerbaijan Ornithological Society, Associate professor in Baku Engineering University, Head of Ornithological Working Group of laboratory of Terrestrial Vertebrates of Institute of Zoology of National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan;
Dr. biol. Marian Tudor, Danube Delta National Institute for R&D Tulcea, Romania;
Prof. dr. Angheluţă Vădineanu, Bucharest University, Romania;
Prof. Dr. A. Vaseashta, International Clean Water Institute, Herndon, VA, NJCU, State University of New Jersey, USA;
Dr. Eng. Tania Zaharia, National Institute for Marine Research and Development “Grigore Antipa”, Romania.

4th International Symposium on Jackals and Related Species 2026

The 4th International Jackal and Related Species Symposium (4IJS) will be held on October 7–10, 2026, in Tulcea, Romania, at the gateway to the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. The event will bring together researchers, conservationists, ecologists, wildlife and game management specialists, and hunters to share knowledge and experience on the ecology, conservation, and management of jackals and related species.

THE 30th SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM “DELTAS AND WETLANDS” 2023

June 05 – 09, 2023

It is our great honour to invite you to the 30^th edition of the International Symposium “Deltas and Wetlands” 2023, which will be held in Tulcea, Romania, between June 05 – 09. We would like this event to be an absolutely memorable one, that offers to participants a meeting place where experience and knowledge can be shared and exchanged, whether they are researchers, private companies or government institutions.

THE 26TH SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM “DELTAS AND WETLANDS” 16 – 20 MAY 2018

Thank you for your contribution to this memorable event and see you next year!

Strategy and actions for preparation of the national participation in the DANUBIUS-RI project (DANS)

The DANS project aims to support the activities to be carried out by Romania in line with the commitment to coordinate the development of DANUBIUS-RI (www.danubius-ri.eu) and to participate in the construction of the three-component infrastructure: Murighiol International Scientific Center DANUBIUS-RI Hub), the DANUBIUS-RI Data Center and the study area (supersite) of the Danube Delta

Tulcea marks 100 years of scientific research - "History and Future of Wetland Health"

During the period 12 – 13 May 2026, in Tulcea, the anniversary conference “History and Future of Wetland Health – 100 Years of Research for Sustainable Management in the Danube Delta” took place, an event dedicated to celebrating a century of excellence in scientific research carried out in the Danube Delta and in other wetlands of national and international interest.

THE 29th SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM “DELTAS AND WETLANDS” 2022

June 01 – 05, 2022

It is our great honour to invite you to the 29^th edition of the International Symposium “Deltas and Wetlands” 2022, which will be held in Tulcea, Romania, between June 01 – 05, 2021. We would like this event to be an absolutely memorable one, that offers to participants a meeting place where experience and knowledge can be shared and exchanged, whether they are researchers, private companies or government institutions. The event will take place in compliance with the legal provisions regarding the pandemic.

The Evaluation of the "Danube Delta" National Institute for Research and Development, 16 January 2018

The Consultative College for Research, Development and Inovation, has started since January, the evaltuation of the “Danube Delta” National Institute for Research and Development Tulcea based on Goverment Decision nr. 97/2017.

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Monitox International Symposium "Deltas and Wetlands", 15 - 17 Sept. 2019

„Black Sea Basin interdisciplinary cooperation network for sustainable joint monitoring of environmental toxicants migration, improved evaluation of ecological state and human health impact of harmful substances, and public exposure prevention”

Promoting technology transfer for sustainable mobility, valorization of bioresources and use of green energy in the South-East Region

THE 28th SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM “DELTAS AND WETLANDS” 2021

September 13 – 18, 2021

Dear friends, we are happy to invite you once again to our annual simposium that has been pending for over an year now. This year’s Deltas and Wetlands, that cellebrates also our institution’s jubilee of research and development activityes, has been rescheduled for 13th of September 2021. So please take a moment to read all the available info and register for this long waited event. We are eagerly waiting to welcome you once again in Tulcea, stay safe, stay healthy!

Round Table under RIM, Tulcea, 15 december 2017

“The stakeholder dialog concerning sustainable development strategies: lessons, opportunities and case studies”, Tulcea, 15 December 2017

REPEAT: Conference

It is our great honour to extend you the invitation to the REPEAT project with the following thematic title: “Fen peatlands across ecological gradient”, which will be held in Tulcea, Romania, during the period 05-08 June 2019.

„4 DELTA” DDNI Scientific Event Community, 4 th edition,

EDAPHIC-BLOOM Danube International Online Symposium May 20 – 21, 2021

The aim of the International Symposium is to create a framework for discussion on the environmental objectives of the project with specialists from research institutions and universities, central and local public authorities, private companies, NGOs and civil society and the impact on sustainable development and the European Climate Pact.

THE 32nd SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM “DELTAS AND WETLANDS”, May 12 - 17 2025

Join us for the 32nd International Symposium “Deltas and Wetlands” in Tulcea, Romania from May 12th-17th!

This landmark event brings together researchers, companies, and government institutions to explore the latest advancements in delta and wetland science. Engage in dynamic discussions, forge valuable collaborations, and contribute to the critical mission of preserving these vital ecosystems.

TICK-BORNE Pathogen Conference 29 August - 02 September 2022

DUE TO THE COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS WE HAVE DECIDED TO POSTPONE TTP.10 TO 29 AUGUST- 02 SEPTEMBER 2022. PLEASE CHECK THE NEW DATES FOR REGISTRATIONS, ABSTRACT SUBMISSION AND HOTEL RESERVATIONS.

Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development (DDNI) invites you at Murighiol, Danube Delta, in August 29 – September 02, 2022, to the international scientific event: “TICK-BORNE Pathogen Conferencece”

THE 25TH SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM “DELTAS AND WETLANDS” 17 – 21 MAY 2017

Thank you for your contribution to this memorable event and see you at the next event!

THE 31st SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM “DELTAS AND WETLANDS” 2024

Mai 13 – 17, 2024

The DELTAS & WETLANDS International Symposium, the 31st edition, has ended. DDNI Tulcea thanks the participants, patrons of the event, sponsors and partners for its success.

Event, Tulcea, 22-23 november 2018

“The stakeholder dialogs concerning sustainable development strategies: lessons, opportunities and case studies”, Tulcea, 22-23 november 2018

THE 27th SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM “DELTAS AND WETLANDS” 05 – 09 JUNE 2019

The 27th edition of the International Symposium “Deltas and Wetlands” 2019 successfully concluded. Thank you for your contribution in making this an awesome event that is more visible than ever. Even though the event closed, make sure to keep an eye on this page, results, feedback and media will soon be published.

TIMMOD PROJECT FINAL CONFERENCE

May 04 – 07, 2022

The project Final Closing Events, including Final TIMMOD Conference, Thematic Transboundary Meeting (TTM #5), Regional Strategy Validation Workshop and a lot of communication and dissemination activities have been organized in Tulcea, Romania in the period 4-7 May 2022. Host of the events was the Romanian project partner- Danube Delta National Institute – DDNI.

Stakeholder dialogues on sustainable development strategies: lessons, opportunities, case studies

The purpose of the event is to promote initiatives and examples of good practice in the Danube Delta area in the context of Objective 4 of Sustainable Development 2030: Ensuring a quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. November 21, 2019, sala Kogălniceanu, CJ Tulcea, str. Păcii 20.