{"id":47,"date":"2025-09-14T15:06:21","date_gmt":"2025-09-14T15:06:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wefealliance.com\/?page_id=47"},"modified":"2026-03-30T13:27:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T13:27:14","slug":"our-comunity","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wefealliance.com\/?page_id=47","title":{"rendered":"OUR COMUNITY"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Network of Excellence\u200b<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The strength of the WEFE Alliance lies in its people. This platform brings together a diverse community of experts, researchers, and practitioners from across Europe and beyond, representing a wide spectrum of scientific and professional fields.<\/p>

By navigating this section, you can access concise profiles of specialists working in domains such as water resource management, sustainable energy systems, food systems and nutrition security, and ecosystem integrity<\/strong>. Each profile provides insights into the expert\u2019s background and research interests, facilitating opportunities for dialogue, joint projects, and policy-oriented collaboration.<\/p>

Our goal is to foster an interdisciplinary knowledge network<\/strong> that transcends borders and disciplines, creating a reliable point of contact for scientific excellence and evidence-based solutions within the WEFE Nexus.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJOIN US<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Expertise in Focus<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Discover the specialists who form the core of the WEFE Alliance. Our experts represent diverse domains \u2014 from water, energy, and food systems to ecosystem services, economics, health, and engineering.\n\nBy exploring their profiles, you can connect with leading voices across the Nexus, identify potential collaborators, and build partnerships that advance sustainability, resilience, and innovation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Water Systems<\/a><\/h4><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Ms. Dijana Likar is a professional engaged at the Institute for Research in Environment, Civil Engineering and Energy, with expertise spanning environmental systems, engineering, and data-driven approaches to sustainability. Her work focuses on addressing complex challenges within interconnected systems that link environmental, societal, and economic dimensions.\n\nShe is particularly interested in systemic resilience, emphasizing the need for integrated and interdisciplinary solutions to manage resources efficiently and support sustainable development. Her background combines civil engineering, water resource management, and sustainable energy systems with competencies in mathematics, data science, and digital innovation.\n\nThrough her work, Ms. Likar contributes to the development of holistic approaches that enhance the resilience of complex ecosystems, support circular economy principles, and promote the use of advanced technologies in environmental and engineering applications.\n\nAmong her main competences are:\n\n\u2ba9 Water resources management and sustainable energy systems
\n\u2ba9 Civil engineering and mechanical systems
\n\u2ba9 Application of mathematics and data science in complex systems
\n\u2ba9 Digital technologies and innovation in environmental solutions
\n\u2ba9 Circular economy and resource efficiency approaches
\n\nEmail: dijana.likar@iege.edu.mk
\n\nPhone: +389 72 214 613<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Ms. Dijana Likar<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Energy Systems<\/a><\/h4><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Prof. Dr. Marko Man\u010di\u0107 is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ni\u0161 (Serbia), working at the intersection of energy systems, climate resilience, and the Water\u2013Energy\u2013Food\u2013Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus. His research and professional activities focus on developing sustainable and scalable solutions that enhance resource efficiency and support climate adaptation.\n\nHe is actively involved in and leads EU-funded projects across Southeastern Europe, with a particular emphasis on energy-efficient buildings, urban heat-risk reduction, circular renovation of the built environment, and the integration of nature-based solutions in urban areas. His work combines advanced methodologies such as physics-based modelling, digital twins, and climate services, together with stakeholder co-creation processes, to support evidence-based policymaking at local and national levels.\n\nThrough his engagement with academia, public authorities, and industry, Prof. Man\u010di\u0107 contributes to the development of innovative, WEFE-oriented approaches that reduce vulnerability to climate extremes and accelerate the transition toward a just and sustainable green economy in the Western Balkans and the wider Mediterranean region.\n\nAmong his main competences are:\n
\n\u2ba9 Sustainable energy systems and energy-efficient building design
\n\u2ba9 Climate resilience and urban heat-risk assessment
\n\u2ba9 Circular economy approaches in the built environment
\n\u2ba9 Application of digital twins and climate services in urban planning
\n\u2ba9 Development of nature-based solutions and WEFE-integrated strategies\n
\nHis work can be found at: https:\/\/www.scopus.com\/authid\/detail.uri?authorId=55341624800\n
\nEmail: marko.mancic@masfak.ni.ac.rs\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Prof. Dr. Marko Mancic<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Food Systems<\/a><\/h4><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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University professor Vladimir Kitanovski is working at State University Mother Teresa in Skopje North Macedonia. His work is focused on the creation and implementation of technology driven solutions in food systems and new technologies for digitalized and greener sustainable development of the business eco-system. Read More<\/a><\/span>\n
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Among his competences are grouped as below:\n
\u2ba9 Development of new models for digitalization of business eco-system\n
\u2ba9 Innovative technology driven solutions in food systems with impact on WEFE nexus dimensions\n
\u2ba9 Creation of big data models for improvements of decision process in big enterprises and SME\u2019s\n
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\u2ba9 Science engagement to policy decision makers<\/span>
Email: vladimir.kitanovski@unt.edu.mk
Tel: +38970462441<\/div> <\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Asst. Prof. PhD Vladimir Kitanovski<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Professor Gianfranco Romanazzi is a Full Professor of Plant Pathology at Marche Polytechnic University. His research focuses on developing and applying sustainable solutions, such as natural compounds and essential oils to protect plants from diseases while reducing losses and waste in fresh fruit and vegetable supply chains. His work contributes to key areas including sustainable energy systems, food systems and nutrition security, and circular economy and resource management. Through his scientific contributions, he supports the transition toward more resilient and sustainable agri-food systems.<\/p>

Latest publication can be found: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1146\/annurev-phyto-021722-035135 <\/span><\/p>

Among his main competences are:<\/span><\/p>

\u2ba9 Development and application of sustainable plant protection solutions based on natural compounds<\/p>

\u2ba9 Reduction of postharvest losses and food waste in fresh produce supply chains<\/p>

\u2ba9 Contributions to circular economy and resource-efficient agricultural systems<\/p>

\u2ba9 Research supporting food security and sustainable agri-food innovation<\/p>Email: <\/span>g.romanazzi@univpm.it <\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Prof. Dr. Gianfranco Romanazzi<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Ms. Mara Strenger is a sustainability researcher and Deputy Director at the Sustainable Packaging Institute (SPI), specializing in circular economy and sustainable packaging systems. Her work focuses on advancing a circular bioeconomy through innovative approaches to packaging design, materials, and lifecycle assessment.\n\nHer research explores the environmental impacts of packaging, integrating sustainability assessment methods with consumer perception analysis to support the development of more responsible and resource-efficient solutions. She is particularly engaged in promoting circular strategies that reduce waste, improve material efficiency, and align with broader sustainability goals.\n\nThrough her contributions, Ms. Strenger supports the transition toward sustainable production and consumption systems, bridging scientific research with practical applications in industry and policy contexts.
\n\nAmong her main competences are:
\n\n\u2ba9 Circular economy and sustainable packaging systems
\n\u2ba9 Sustainability assessment and lifecycle analysis
\n\u2ba9 Consumer perception and behavior related to sustainability
\n\u2ba9 Development of circular bioeconomy solutions
\n\u2ba9 Resource efficiency and waste reduction strategies
\nLatest research work can be found:
\nDOI: 10.1007\/s00003-024-01539-z\n
Profile \/ Portfolio:
https:\/\/drive.google.com\/u\/1\/open?usp=forms_web&id=1IONuzOjoQV4aF3RXWWZ_D1tB2vkmNUPY\n\nEmail: strenger@hs-albsig.de <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Dr. Mara Strenger<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Prof. Dr. Biljana Trajkovska is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Biotechnical Sciences, University \u201cSt. Kliment Ohridski\u201d in Bitola, North Macedonia. She is a researcher in the field of food quality and safety, with particular expertise in dairy product innovation, sensory analysis, and the application of bioprotective cultures.\n\nHer academic and research work focuses on improving food systems and ensuring nutrition security through the development of innovative and safe food products. She is actively engaged in research, teaching, and knowledge transfer activities, contributing to the advancement of food science and technology.\n\nProf. Trajkovska is committed to fostering collaboration through joint research initiatives, training activities, and academic mobility. Through her involvement in international projects, she supports the exchange of knowledge and the development of student-oriented learning approaches, contributing to the overall strengthening of academic and research capacities.\n\n\nAmong her main competences are:\n\n\n\u2ba9 Food quality and safety assessment\n\n\u2ba9 Dairy product innovation and development\n\n\u2ba9 Sensory analysis and consumer evaluation\n\n\u2ba9 Application of bioprotective cultures in food systems\n\n\u2ba9 Food systems and nutrition security\n\n\nProfile: \nhttps:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=vMnhwxQAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=sra\n\n\nEmail: biljana.trajkovska@uklo.edu.mk<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Assoc. Prof. PhD Biljana Trajkovska<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Enabling & environmental systems<\/a><\/h4><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Dr. Sema Gunduz is a Lecturer at Marmara University with a multidisciplinary background and extensive international project experience. Her work focuses on transforming education through innovation, digital tools, and collaborative partnerships. Her academic research explores innovative work behaviour, particularly how organisational support, digital engagement, and empowering work environments foster creativity and proactive idea generation. By bridging research and practice, she contributes to building sustainable innovation ecosystems, strengthening institutional capacity, and designing learning experiences that promote future-ready skills. Through her involvement in Erasmus+, EIT HEI, and British Council\u2013supported initiatives, she actively supports the creation of environments where individuals and organisations can thrive through continuous innovation. <\/p>

Among her main competences are: <\/span><\/p>

\u2ba9 Innovation in education through digital tools and collaborative approaches<\/p>

\u2ba9 Research on innovative work behaviour and organisational development<\/p>

\u2ba9 Design of learning environments fostering creativity and future-ready skills<\/p>

\u2ba9 Development of sustainable innovation ecosystems and institutional capacity<\/p>

\u2ba9 Experience in international projects (Erasmus+, EIT HEI, British Council)<\/p>
Lates publication can be found:
https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S1878450X25000381 <\/span>
Latest project tool\/output:
https:\/\/www.rsc.org\/standards-and-recognition\/prizes\/winners\/digital-virtual-reality-centres-for-global-equality-in-scientific-training-the-3di-virtual-reality-institute <\/span>\n

Email: sema.gunduz@marmara.edu.tr<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Dr. Sema Gunduz <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Ms. Rania Bou Said<\/strong> is a Project Assistant at UN-ESCWA<\/strong> and a strategic sustainability and climate-resilience professional with over five years of experience across Western Asia, North Africa, and the European Union. She is a LEED Green Associate with strong expertise in designing and implementing cross-sector research, policy, and development initiatives focused on sustainable water management, ecosystem resilience, and climate adaptation.<\/p>

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Her work centers on advancing integrated approaches within the Water\u2013Energy\u2013Food\u2013Ecosystem (WEFE) nexus, combining scientific research with policy-oriented solutions. She has extensive experience in stakeholder engagement, program coordination, and the development of data-driven tools, training programs, and communication strategies that enhance institutional capacity and support evidence-based decision-making.<\/p>

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Rania has contributed to several high-impact scientific publications in leading journals, addressing topics such as water reuse, climate-driven water resource dynamics, and the socioeconomic resilience of WEFE systems. Through her work, she actively supports the transition toward more sustainable, circular, and climate-resilient systems at regional and international levels.<\/p>

Lates research can be found:<\/p>
https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/02508060.2025.2477432

Among her main competences are:<\/p>

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\u2ba9 Strategic planning and implementation of sustainability and climate-resilience programs
\n\u2ba9 Water resource management, including wastewater reuse and integrated WEFE approaches
\n\u2ba9 Development of science-based policies and data-driven decision-support tools
\n\u2ba9 Stakeholder engagement and multi-level coordination across governments, academia, and international organizations
\n\u2ba9 Capacity building, training development, and knowledge transfer initiatives<\/p>

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Email:<\/strong> rania.bosaid@gmail.com<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Ms. Rania Bou Said<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Prof. Dr. Tamara Ra\u0111enovi\u0107 is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Occupational Safety, University of Ni\u0161 (Serbia), with expertise in circular economy and resource management. Her academic and research work focuses on sustainable development, environmental protection, and the efficient use of resources within modern socio-economic systems.\n\nHer research emphasizes the importance of integrating human-centered approaches into sustainability strategies, recognizing people as key drivers of innovation, resilience, and responsible resource management. She actively contributes to scientific research and publication in international journals, addressing challenges related to environmental sustainability and circular economy practices.\n\nThrough her work, Prof. Ra\u0111enovi\u0107 supports the development of sustainable systems that balance environmental, economic, and social dimensions, contributing to more resilient and responsible communities.\n\n\nAmong her main competences are:\n\n\n\u2ba9 Circular economy and resource management\n\n\u2ba9 Environmental protection and sustainable development\n\n\u2ba9 Human-centered approaches in sustainability\n\n\u2ba9 Policy-relevant research and scientific dissemination\n\n\u2ba9 Development of sustainable socio-economic systems\nRecent work can be found at: \n\n\nDOI: 10.1177\/21582440251334273; 10.59267\/ekoPolj2501225R; 10.3390\/su17052220; 10.1016\/j.scitotenv.2025.178600\n\nProfile \/ Portfolio: \nhttps:\/\/drive.google.com\/u\/1\/open?usp=forms_web&id=1ze9fQYYLhi5Pndg6Xs-RIUkAMYTpRWs3\n\nEmail: tamara.radjenovic@znrfak.ni.ac.rs\n\nPhone: +381 63 424365<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Assoc. Prof. PhD Tamara Ra\u0111enovi\u0107<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Building Partnerships for a Resilient Future<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOur platform is designed to go beyond conventional collaboration spaces by integrating scientific research tools, expert knowledge, and evidence-based insights into one ecosystem. By engaging with our community, users gain access to a unique environment where strategic partnerships are fostered, data-driven solutions are developed, and innovative approaches to resilience are tested and shared. This enables stakeholders to co-create strategies that address complex environmental, technological, and societal challenges. In doing so, the platform not only supports scientific advancement but also contributes to building a resilient future through shared expertise, collaborative projects, and informed decision-making.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t