Short introduction of the information available about experts
Finland
Bailey Lähdesmäki
Position: Research, Development, and Innovation Expert
Institution: Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Research field:
- Innovation ecosystem orchestration;
- Regional ecosystem development;
- Service, business and process design;
- Innovation management;
- Branding and communication;
- Internationalization strategy;
- Stakeholder engagement;
- Capacity building and transferability facilitation;
- International funding and proposal expertise.
Miika Kajanus
Position: Research, Development, and Innovation Liaison
Institution: Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Research field:
- Sustainability research and innovation projects;
- Drought Stress, Plant Ecophysiology, and Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function, Forest Ecology And Management.
Mariia Pohorila
Position: Research, Development, and Innovation Specialist
Institution: Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Research field:
- Building the bridges between Ukraine and Finland;
- Supporting immigrants in their integration path;
- International economics;
- International Business and Sales Management.
Tuomo Eskelinen
Position: Research Manager, Sustainable Societies Research Unit
Institution: Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Research field:
- Environmental, innovation, and circular economy expert;
- Mission-based research and scenario work, co-creation processes, circular- and bioeconomy business models, social acceptance & S-LCA research.
Kaija Villman
Position: Research, Development, and Innovation Manager, Sustainable Societies Research Unit
Institution: Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Research field:
- Sustainable Societies;
- Strategic Communication, Organizational Communication, and Complexity Theory.
Jyri Wuorisalo
Position: Research, Development, and Innovation Specialist
Institution: Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Research field:
- Human security and sustainable development;
- Business in developing countries and crisis areas.
Sanna Rantala
Position: Research, Development, and Innovation Specialist
Institution: Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Research field:
- Creative problem solving in a business context;
- Sustainable development;
- Project Manager – “Universities for Sustainable Development (USD)” project.
Tiina Kuosmanen
Position: Research, Development, and Innovation Specialist
Institution: Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Research field:
- Events;
- Tourism and Travel;
- Hospitality.
Matti Laitinen
Position: Research, Development, and Innovation Specialist
Institution: Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Research field:
- Business Center expert. Storytelling & Personal sales, Customer Service;
- Community Manager Tasks & Strategy;
- Personal and team coaching;
- Research study (Service design);
- Regional development;
- Market intelligence services.
Eero Antikainen
Position: Research, Development, and Innovation Manager, Water Safety Research Unit
Institution: Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Research field:
- Water and Environmental Engineering;
- Water safety.
Patryk Wójtowicz
Position: Research Manager, Water Safety Research Manager
Institution: Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Research field:
- Water network modelling expert and specialist in the field of environmental engineering;
- Environmental fluid dynamics, hydroinformatics, urban water systems – water distribution, urban drainage, sewerage systems design and modelling.
Tiina Haatainen
Position: Senior Researcher; Kuopio Water Cluster Coordinator
Institution: Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Research field:
- Research and Development Engineer with a history of working in the machinery industry;
- Strong engineering professional skills in Research and Development (R&D), Chemistry, Process Engineering, Chemical Engineering.
Petri Kainulainen
Position: Research, Development, and Innovation Manager, Food Systems Research Unit
Institution: Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Research field:
- Agriculture and Rural industries;
- Food Business.
Ardita Hoxha-Jahja
Position: Research Manager, Food Systems Research Unit
Institution: Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Research field:
- Planning and implementing national and international projects within food chain;
- Promoting knowledge export with main focus China market;
- Managing and coordinating work of the Food Business Research Group;
- “Agrifood Cluster North Savo” cluster Manager.
Kaisa Kähkönen
Position: Senior Researcher, Agri-Food Cluster North Savo Coordinator
Institution: Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Research field:
- Special expert in the food business of Savonia’s natural resources sector;
- Coordination of the sustainable development of the AgriFood cluster in the North Savo food industry and strengthening of cooperation both regionally, nationally and internationally;
- Good nutrition and sustainability in the food industry.
Kirsi Vartia
Position: Senior Researcher, Agri-Food Cluster North Savo Coordinator
Institution: Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Research field:
- Food expert, Gastro Business project, ProAgria/Agricultural, and Rural Women’s Advisory Center (RWAC) of Eastern Finland.
Harri Auvinen
Position: Research, Development, and Innovation Manager, Bio and Circular Economy Research Unit
Institution: Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Research field:
- Engineering, Applied and Computational Mathematics;
- Modeling and Simulation;
- Collaborative Projects;
- EU Projects;
- Bioeconomy;
- Circularity.
Ulla Santti
Position: Research, Development, and Innovation Specialist
Institution: Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Research field:
- Bio and circular economy;
- Business model development, marketing, sales management and RDI projects;
- Business management and SME development.
Jarno Ruusunen
Position: Research, Development, and Innovation Manager, Energy Technology Research Unit
Institution: Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Research field:
- Machine and energy;
- Nanomaterials and their synthesis via aerosol processes (Chemical Vapour Synthesis, Flame Spray Pyrolysis), aerosol sampling, characterisation of the combustion aerosols and outdoor air quality;
- Designed several nanoparticle synthesis reactors with one patented.
Petteri Heino
Position: Research, Development, and Innovation Specialist
Institution: Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Research field:
- Machine and energy, FINAS-accredited emissions testing, Energy technology (energy production, transmission, distribution, energy storage).
Esa Jääskeläinen
Position: Research, Development, and Innovation Manager, Machine and Mechanical Engineering, Research Unit
Institution: Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Research field:
- Machine industry;
- Mechanical engineering.
Jari Lipponen
Position: Research, Development, and Innovation Specialist
Institution: Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Research field:
- Mechanical engineering R&D unit;
- Specialized in manufacturing industry – production development, digitalization, machining and additive manufacturing (metal).
Aki Happonen
Position: Digital Development Manager
Institution: Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Research field:
- Savonia UAS’s cooperation and development of ICT competence and experts, integrating education, continuous learning, R&D, business and internationality;
- Preparation, management and implementation of multidisciplinary national and international R&D projects, especially those promoting digitalisation, in cooperation with areas of strength;
- Development of Savonia’s internal, external and international networking, especially in the areas of wireless telecommunications (eg. 5G) in cooperation with Pohjois-Savo region ecosystems.
Maria Luojus
Position: Principle Lecturer
Institution: Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Research field:
- Sustainable Development;
- Social and health field (Advanced university of applied sciences degree).
Anni Kesänen
Position: Lecturer
Institution: Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Research field:
- Business degree training;
- Leadership and management, organizational development, qualitative research.
Mikko Järvinen
Position: Group Manager
Institution: Natural Resources Institute Finland
Research field:
- Animal behaviour and welfare;
- Precision livestock farming;
- Special competence: animal behaviour, animal welfare, precision livestock farming, technological applications, rural development Customer assignments: grass and milk production.
Lithuania
Monika Vilkienė
Position: Senior Researcher
Institution: LAMMC
Research field:
- Soil microbiology;
- Agronomy.
Diana Lukminė
Position: Senior Researcher
Institution: LAMMC
Research field:
- Forest economic and policy;
- Sustainability assessment.
Karolina Barčauskaitė
Position: Senior Researcher
Institution: LAMMC
Research field:
- Research on soil improvement substances using different instrumental analysis methods;
- Determination of active substances concentration in plant protection products by HPLC and GC methods;
- Determination of petroleum hydrocarbon index in soil and water samples;
- Research of persistent organic pollutants; qualitative and quantitative analysis of biologically active compounds in bee products.
Lina Beniušienė
Position: Researcher
Institution: LAMMC
Research field:
- Wood biomass calculations;
- Quality of wood and its products;
- Physical and mechanical properties of wood;
- Accounting for carbon in wood and its products.
Andrius Aleliūnas
Position: Senior Researcher
Institution: LAMMC
Research field:
- Plant response to abiotic stresses;
- Functional markers; plant genetics;
- Plant biotechnology.
Aistė Balčiūnaitienė
Position: Senior Researcher
Institution: LAMMC
Research field:
- Green synthesis and study of metal nanoparticles;
- Development and research of biopolymeric composites;
- Development and research of antimicrobial biopolymer matrices;
- Development and research of natural biopolymeric gels.
Joana Lapkovskaja
Position: Researcher
Institution: VTDK
Research field:
- Interdisciplinary study of fintech;
- Examining its innovations;
- Influence on financial systems;
- Broader economic and social impacts.
Alfredas Rimkus
Position: Researcher
Institution: VTDK
Research field:
- Production of second and subsequent generations of biofuels (from waste and non-food raw materials);
- Secondary use of industrial waste (technogenic feedstocks).
Jonas Matijošius
Position: Researcher
Institution: VTDK
Research field:
- Production of second and subsequent generations of biofuels (from waste and non-food raw materials);
- Secondary use of industrial waste (technogenic feedstocks).
Jaroslav Daveiko
Position: Designer
Institution: VTDK
Research field:
- Innovative interior design education, encompassing hands-on projects with students that involve installations;
- 3D modeling;
- Sustainable design solutions through the secondary use of materials.
Romania
Nastase Carmen
Position: PhD., Professor
Institution: Stefan cel Mare University Suceava
Research field:
- Professor of the Faculty of Economics, Administration and Business, doctoral degree and postdoctoral degree in the field of economics;
- Habilitation thesis in Economics/Sustainable development, PhD Students Supervisor in the field of Economics;
- Research and teaching areas: economics, innovation and regional development, sustainable business, entrepreneurship;
- Coordinator of the center Grow with USV and Entrepreneurial Student Club in USV, Coordination of ILCA Laboratory Suceava;
- WP6 – Enrepreneurship working package coordinator for NEOLAiA – Transforming Regions for an Inclusive Europe.
Popa Valentin
Position: PhD.Eng.Professor
Institution: Stefan cel Mare University Suceava
Research field:
- Professor and engineer in the field of Electronics and Telecommunications, Ph.D in the electronic components, devices and circuits field, researcher in the field of RFID systems, IoT systems, LPWAN technologies, applied electronics and communications;
- PhD Students Supervisor in the Electronic Engineering and Telecommunications domain.
Prelipcean Gabriela
Position: PhD., Professor
Institution: Stefan cel Mare University Suceava
Research field:
- Professor and PhD coordinator with a wide experience as researchers, Fulbright Alumna and member of prestigious professional associations;
- She has received numerous fellowships, awards and grants as project manager and coordinated large teams, complex national and European projects;
- Geoeconomics and Comparative Economic Policies, International Economics and Policy, Project Manager – Center for Knowledge Transfer to Enterprises in the ICT Field – CENTRIC, Project Manager for USV: NEOLAiA – Transforming Regions for an Inclusive Europe.
Chasovschi Carmen
Position: PhD., Assoc. Professor
Institution: Stefan cel Mare University Suceava
Research field:
- Associate Professor, Ph.D, main research fields are tourism, cultural landscape, cultural heritage, human resources management and entrepreneurship;
- She has received numerous fellowships, awards and grants as project manager or team coordinator coordinator, complex national and European projects (WP coordinator for NEOLAiA – Transforming Regions for an Inclusive Europe, CredinGREEN).
Lupan Mariana
Position: PhD., Assoc. Professor
Institution: Stefan cel Mare University Suceava
Research field:
- Associate Professor, with the main expertise in: globalization of the economy, funding investment decisions, econometric modelling, and international investments. She received a postdoctoral fellowship at the Romanian Academy;
- Over 20 years of academic experience, doctoral degree and postdoctoral degree in the field of economics. Author and co-author of 7 books, more than 60 papers published in professional journals and conference proceedings. She has experience in managing research contracts.
Popescu Mihai
Position: PhD., Assoc. Professor
Institution: Stefan cel Mare University Suceava
Research field:
- Associate Professor and researcher in the field of Sustainable startups combating climate change
- Green innovation in climate entrepreneurship Entrepreneurial solutions for climate innovation
Boghean Carmen
Position: PhD., Assoc. Professor
Institution: Stefan cel Mare University Suceava
Research field:
- Associate Professor in Economics and sustainable development.
- Business plan and innovation for businesses. Entrepreneurship and economic efficiency of investments.
Bordeianu Otilia
Position: PhD., Lecturer
Institution: Stefan cel Mare University Suceava
Research field:
- Lecturer Ph.D. in the field of Human resources Management;
- Organisational Behaviour;
- Organisational Culture;
- Change Management;
- Entrepreneurial Culture;
- Project management;
- Management in tourism for Sustainable development.
Pascu Paul
Position: PhD., Lecturer
Institution: Stefan cel Mare University Suceava
Research field:
- Lecturer Ph.D. in the field of Digital transformation in the transportation sector, Sustainable development and innovation in green technologies;
- Digital solutions- such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and blockchain, solutions for reducing the carbon footprint in various industries
Danila Andreea
Position: Researcher
Institution: Stefan cel Mare University Suceava
Research field:
- Researcher in the field of Sustainable development and Eu Taxonomy;
- Green investment;
- Inclusive wealth.
Lucaci Ancuta
Position: PhD., Teaching Assistant Researcher
Institution: Stefan cel Mare University Suceava
Research field:
- Researcher in the field of Economics, labour market, innovative entrepreneurship.
Bulgaria
Prof. PhD Ekaterina Todorova
Project Manager of ILCA Bulgaria since July 2023.
Area of Scientific Interests:
- Technologies of solid waste treatment;
- Solid Wastes; Management of wastes;
- Technologies for purification of fluids;
- Hydrometallurgy;
- Fertilizers;
- Hazardous Chemical Substances;
- Managing of Hazardous Chemical Substances and environmental risk;
- Environment;
- Systems for Environmental Management.
Assoc. Prof. PhD Emil Kitchoukov
Project Manager of ILCA Bulgaria 2022-July 2023. Currently WPs expert.
Major fields of scientific interests:
- Assessment of forests;
- Organization and planning of forestry;
- Organization and management of production;
- Entrepreneurship.
Assoc. Prof. PhD Nikolay Neykov
ILCA Bulgaria WPs expert and Finance Contact Person.
Trends in scientific interests:
- Economics and Management of Industrial Enterprises;
- Economic efficiency measurement;
- Operations Management;
- Mathematical Modelling Wood Value Chain.
Prof. PhD Viktor Savov
ILCA Bulgaria WPs expert.
Major fields of scientific interests:
- Research on engineered wood product; Fiberboards;
- Directions and opportunities for optimization of processes at manufacturing of wood-based composite materials;
- Directions and opportunities for optimization of structure and composition of wood-based composite materials.
Assoc. Prof. PhD Petar Petrov
ILCA Bulgaria WPs expert.
Trends in scientific interests:
- Air pollution;
- Climate change;
- Technologies of solid waste treatment.
Assoc. Prof. PhD Petar Petrov
ILCA Bulgaria WPs expert.
Trends in scientific interests:
- Strategic Management;
- Operations Management;
- Administration;
- Entrepreneurship;
- Business Model Innovation.
Chief Assist. Prof. PhD Alexsandrina Kostadinova-Slaveva
ILCA Bulgaria WPs expert.
Area of Scientific Interests:
- Technology for the treatment of solid waste;
- Technologies for purification of fluids;
- Systems for Environmental Management ;
- Preventive Activities.
Chief Assist. Prof. PhD Georgi Kadinov
ILCA Bulgaria WPs expert.
Scientific interests:
- Air pollution;
- Impact of pollution on vegetation;
- Climate change.
Assist. Prof. PhD Tsvetelina Simeonova-Zarkin
ILCA Bulgaria WPs expert.
Scientific interests:
- Environmental management tools for SME;
- Instruments used from state authorities for promoting Environmental management;
- Environmental Management.
Assist. Prof. PhD Veneta Stefanova
ILCA Bulgaria WPs expert.
Scientific interests:
- Rehablitaion of damage lands;
- Restoration Ecology;
- Heavy Metals;
- Environmental Impact Assessment;
- Soil RemediationLand Reclamation;
- Environmental Management;
- MinningPHYTOMINING.
Assist. Prof. PhD Savina Brankova
ILCA Bulgaria WPs expert.
Scientific interests:
- Eco-efficiency, Waste management;
- Systems for Environmental management;
- Air pollution and its impact on ecosystems.
Ukraine
Andrii Verstiak
Position: PhD., Assoc. Prof
Institution: Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University
Research field:
- The area of scientific interests covers a wide range of issues: environmental economics, growth models, green growth, interaction of national and regional economies, general equilibrium modelling of national economies, convergence between Ukraine and EU.
Viktoria Kyfyak
Position: PhD., Assoc. Prof
Institution: Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University
Research field:
- The field of scientific interests encompasses the institutional framework for the sustainable development of the agricultural sector, with a focus on the creation and implementation of innovative solutions and modern business models;
- Special emphasis is placed on the analysis and enhancement of institutional mechanisms that support the sustainable growth of agricultural enterprises, ensuring their competitiveness and efficiency;
- Research also includes examining the impact of cutting-edge technologies on the agricultural sector and developing innovative business projects and strategies that promote productivity and environmental sustainability;
- Practical activities involve consulting agricultural businesses on strategic planning, the implementation of innovations, and the optimization of business processes;
- The development of business projects takes into account current market trends and requirements, ensuring their adaptability to changing external conditions.
Maksym Karpash
Position: Doctor in Technical Sciences, Professor
Institution: King Danylo University
Research field:
- Has rich academic and research experience in areas varying from sustainable energy and climate to information technologies and IoT;
- Has experience in managing and coordinating of 30+ international projects under Horizon Europe, EIT HEI Climate-KIC, Horizon2020, FP7, Erasmus+, Tempus, Inogate, Tacis, Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine 2007-2014 and 2012-2020, ERDF, Romania-Ukraine 2014-2020, USAID, CRDF, BritishCouncil and other programs;
- Has coordinated over 40 R&D&I projects funded by Ukrainian government and corporate authorities.
Liubomyr Zhovtulia
Position: PhD, Associate Professor
Institution: King Danylo University
Research field:
- Accomplished academic and project expert with over 10 years of experience in the field of engineering, energy management, and sustainable development;
- As an Associate Professor at King Danylo University, he specializes in teaching renewable energy, project management, and energy efficiency;
- Holding a PhD in Engineering Sciences, Liubomyr has made significant contributions to research;
- His expertise is evident in his numerous publications and projects aimed at enhancing energy sustainability and efficiency.
Anton Tkachenko
Position: PhD, senior scientist
Institution: NSC “Institute of Agriculture”
Research field:
- Senior scientist with more than 10 years of analytical background as economist
- and manager. Expert in implementation of the international projects and communication. Areas of expertise: economics, project management, business analytics, innovation ecosystems.
Mykola Pasichnyk
Position: PhD., Assoc. Prof
Institution: Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University
Research field:
- The area of scientific interests covers a wide range of issues: protection of the natural environment (including water bodies);
- Integrated management of young river landscapes;
- The impact of climate change on surface water resources;
- Writing and implementation of international cooperation projects in the field of environmental protection;
- Water resources management and adaptation to climate change.