Aquaterra Team
An academic structure founded on decades of ichthyological and ecotoxicological field research, guiding the strategic projects of the association and the training of new generations of Junior Rangers.
Our centralized activity relies on top-tier academic expertise to coordinate ecological field interventions and save critical genetic nuclei in the Carpathian and Danube regions.
👥 AQUATERRA Scientific and Executive Leadership
🧬 Dr. Nicolae Crăciun
Founding President & Scientific DirectorDescription: Biologist, renowned ichthyologist, and University Lecturer within the Faculty of Biology at the University of Bucharest. Specialist in aquatic ecology, conservation of glacial relicts, and management of ex-situ controlled breeding technologies for critical species (Danube salmon, asprete).
Contact & Portfolio: 📩 Email | 🌐 LinkedIn | 📘 Facebook | 📄 View CV
🌊 Lucian-Dorin Hanganu
AQUATERRA Vice President & Member of the Scientific CouncilDescription: Senior expert in applied ichthyology, bioengineering, and the design of complex public aquarium systems. Holds an extensive career in the technical management of controlled aquatic ecosystems and the implementation of field research infrastructures.
🐟 Assoc. Prof. Dr. Doru Bănăduc
Member of the Scientific CouncilDescription: Reputable specialist in the ecology, biology, and population dynamics of fish and benthic macroinvertebrates in aquatic, semi-aquatic, and riparian ecosystems. Expert in water toxicology and environmental risk assessment in anthropogenic systems.
🏞️ Grigore Baboianu
Member of the Scientific Council / Former Governor of the DDBRADescription: Former Governor and Deputy Executive Director of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Administration. One of Romania's most experienced specialists in conservation policies, transboundary ecological management, and wetland protection strategies.
🏛️ Assoc. Prof. Dr. Spiridon Ion Cepeleanu
Senior Expert in Scientific Museology and PedagogyDescription: Reputable specialist in scientific pedagogy, ecological popularization, and heritage collection management. Consolidated international experience in coordinating large-scale educational programs and academic events.
💻 Assoc. Prof. Dr. Paul A. Gagniuc
Senior Expert in Bioinformatics and AlgorithmsDescription: Specialist in computational mathematical modeling, molecular genetics (DNA/RNA sequence analysis), and cybersecurity. Author of international scientific books, providing technical support for the digitalization of biodiversity data.
🧫 Dr. Ionuț Mihai Floca
Expert in Medical Bacteriology and BotanyDescription: Over 17 years of experience as a specialist biologist in medical bacteriology and laboratory analysis. Actively contributes to monitoring the health status of aquatic ecosystems and studying the specific flora of mountain basins.
🧫 Dr. Sergiu Fendrihan
Senior Scientific ResearcherDescription: Senior expert with a vast career in microbiology (classical and molecular), environmental and plant protection, as well as extremophile microbiology. Holds a double PhD (in Agronomy and Medicine) and rich international academic experience, acting as an associate professor and visiting researcher at prestigious institutions such as the University of Salzburg. He is the author of numerous books and indexed scientific articles, founder of bioresource networks, and coordinator of over 20 national and European research projects.
🦠 Dr. Mihai Costică
Expert in Hydrobiology and Microbial EcologyDescription: PhD in biology with deep expertise in the ecotoxicological investigation of water bodies, aquatic environmental microbiology, and microbial trophic dynamics in habitats of community importance.
🔬 Iulian Ghețău
Communications & Digital Technologies Director (PR & Digital Manager)Description: Combines expertise in applied hydrobiology with advanced digital solutions for the management and visibility of ecological projects. Coordinates the public relations (PR) strategy, institutional communication with donors and CSR partners, while managing the digital infrastructure and multimedia platforms of the association. He is the architect of ecological guerrilla educational programs in schools and universities, using technology to bring life sciences closer to the new generation.
🪓 Fabian Vincențiu Vanghele
Biologist, Ecologist and Invasive Species SpecialistDescription: Biology-Ecology graduate dedicated to the study of invasive plant and animal species. With related expertise in field topographic measurements and live organism management in aquaristics/terraristics, he coordinates applied mapping activities for degraded habitats.
🪓 Assoc. Prof. Dr. Victor Surugiu
Biologist and Marine EcologistDescription: Renowned faculty member and researcher at the "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University of Iași (Faculty of Biology), specializing in marine biology, benthic ecology, oceanography, and polychaete taxonomy. Holds a PhD in Biology and extensive experience in coordinating marine research stations (Agigea) and numerous scientific expeditions in the Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea. Author of extensive specialized works, university courses, and dozens of reference scientific articles dedicated to marine biodiversity and ecosystem protection.
🪓 Assistant Prof. Dr. Maia Stavrescu
Biologist and ResearcherDescription: University lecturer and researcher at USAMV Bucharest (Faculty of Agriculture), specializing in Invertebrate and Vertebrate Zoology and Biology, Ornithology, and Ethology. Holds a PhD in Biology and rich postdoctoral research activity focused on faunal biodiversity and ecosanogenesis. Author of specialized textbooks, practical guides, and numerous scientific articles published in prestigious journals, actively involved in the management of biodiversity conservation projects and protected areas.
🤿 Robert Schreiner
Biologist, Expert in Ichthyology, Ornithology and Marine DivingDescription: Field biologist and globetrotter with vast experience in diving teams studying the fauna of the World Ocean. Passionate ornithologist and environmental photographer, documenting the dynamics of bird and fish species in isolated ecosystems.
🎨 Teemu Hämäläinen
Art Director and Global Visual Communication SpecialistDescription: Finnish-born art director with a career spanning over 25 years in strategic design, advertising, and TV documentary in Finland, Ireland, and Romania. Coordinates the visual communication pillar, environmental journalism, and external relations of the association.
🛡️ Eugen Crăciun
Administrator of the "Noah's Small Ark" Station / Logistics ExpertDescription: Biologist with solid expertise in administrative management, field logistics, and legal support for protected areas. Coordinates the operations and infrastructure of the association's research stations.
🎓 Petrică Miu
Senior Expert in Educational Management and Sustainable DevelopmentDescription: History teacher and top manager in pre-university education. Coordinates curricular adaptation for the association's ecological programs and the integration of sustainability concepts into local communities.
💼 Cristian Gheorghe Morar
Legal Advisor, Procurement and Fundraising ExpertDescription: Graduate in Legal Sciences with a Master's degree in Public Sector Management. Specialist in attracting structural funds, corporate fundraising strategies, public procurement, and structuring investments for green projects.
📷 Marco Verhoogt
Expert in Documentary Photography and Visual EcologyDescription: Holding dual citizenship (Dutch and Romanian), he is an outstanding documentary photographer. Dedicated to visual ecology, he coordinates the image-based conservation component of protected species and landscapes in Romania.
📢 Anca-Ioana Grămadă
Public Relations Coordinator & Operational ManagementDescription: Specialist in institutional communication and digital media. Manages public visibility campaigns, the dissemination of scientific results, and the organization of operational workflows during AQUATERRA events.
🎨 Daniel Crăciun
Image Director, Painter, Graphic Artist and CuratorDescription: Complex visual artist and historic member of the AQUATERRA Association (since 1997), responsible for visual identity and image strategies. Holds a degree in Fine Arts from Bucharest and master's studies at Sorbonne 1 University in Paris. He has a remarkable international artistic career, being a member of the Romanian Fine Artists' Union and adherent of the Maison des artistes (France). Daniel Crăciun is a pillar of our association, whose artworks literally funded the first physical facilities of AQUATERRA. You can explore and support his artistic universe at www.danielcraciun.com.
📌 Institutional Note: The extended composition of the Scientific Council, forestry specialists, and technical field partners is regularly updated, in full alignment with the new integrated projects of the Plutonița Research Station.