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Science United for Water and Nature

Encou­raging
Genuine
Profes­sionals

We bring together skilled professionals committed to advancing science through collaboration, innovation and scientific rigor.
We bring together skilled professionals committed to advancing science through collaboration, innovation and scientific rigor.

Meet the team of scientists and experts working together to strengthen aquatic ecosystems through innovation, collaboration and science based action.

Mª Gema Parra

Project Coordinator (WP7). Leader of the NbS Chemical and Ecotoxicological Assessment (WP3)
Department of Animal Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology, University of  Jaén

Dr. Gema Parra is a biologist with a background in aquatic ecotoxicology. Holding a Ph.D. Ocean Sciences from the University of Cádiz, her research focuses on using aquatic organisms to understand the effects of different types of pollution on ecosystems. Before joining this project, Dr. Gema Parra led various initiatives to improve the knowledge of biomarkers of effects and responses to face aquatic pollution. She has been involved in several international projects, which gives her expertise in coordinating multidisciplinary research teams. Her expertise is fundamental to assess, under an ecotoxicological approach, the effectiveness of the different NbS that will be tested along the project. 

Ana del Arco

Researcher assessing the effectiveness of nature-based solutions (NbS) in reducing the ecological impact of wastewater on aquatic systems through ecotoxicological testing. (WP3)
University of Jaén
Dr. Ana del Arco holds a Ph.D. in Science and Technology of the Environment from the University of Jaén. She is a multidisciplinary scientist with over 10 years of experience in evolutionary biology, aquatic ecology, and ecotoxicology, contributing to international research on aquatic ecology and pollutant impacts. Skilled in designing and implementing ecotoxicological assays to evaluate pollutant effects and population responses. Strong background in interdisciplinary collaboration, data analysis, and project management makes her profile highly relevant for projects focused on evaluating the effectiveness of NbS through biological assessments. Combines technical insight with strategic thinking to drive sustainable solutions in aquatic ecosystem management.

Amir Gholipour

Specialist in sludge and wastewater treatment through nature-based solutions (NbS) (Work Package 1)
Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Denmark
Dr. Amir Gholipour is a postdoctoral researcher at Aarhus University with a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Lisbon (MIT Portugal Program). His work focuses on nature-based solutions for sludge and wastewater treatment, particularly Sludge Treatment Reed Beds (STRBs) enhanced with earthworms. With experience in both academic research and engineering practice across Iran, Portugal, and Denmark, he has contributed to international projects promoting ecological wastewater management, circular economy, and PFAS removal. Dr. Gholipour has published extensively in high impact journals and actively supports the integration of AI and machine learning in environmental engineering. His expertise plays a crucial role in evaluating and designing NbS systems within the project.

Emel Topuz

Researcher in WP 2- Design, construction and operation of Nature Based Solution (wetland) in Turkey.
Gebze Technical University
Emel Topuz has expertise on environmental monitoring, toxicity and risk assessment of emerging contaminants including their removal from wastewater. She has graduated from double PhD program of VU Amsterdam University and Istanbul Technical University. Her background on Environmental Engineering and Ecotoxicology provides her both assessing the impacts of emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and their removal from wastewater. She has coordinated national and international projects funded by TÜBİTAK Outstanding Young Leader and Horizon 2020 MSC IF Program, respectively.

Derya Ayral

Leading WP2 : Piloting innovative NBS.
Gebze Technical University
Dr. Derya Ayral Çınar holds a PhD in Environmental Engineering from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She has expertise in soil-contaminant interaction as well as impact of this interaction on fate and transport of pollutants in soils. She has been also experienced in application of NbS in urban areas to manage urban runoff. She has been involved in national projects funded by TUBITAK both as principal investigator and researcher. Currently she is an assistant professor in Environmental Engineering Department at Gebze Technical University.

Adam M. Paruch

Scientific Coordinator assisting the Project Coordinator / Project Manager in Norway / Leader of WP5 – Aquatic biodiversity surveys for ecosystem functioning assessments
Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research – NIBIO
Prof. Adam M. Paruch holds expertise in ecological engineering, wastewater treatment and water protection, microbiological water quality assessment, faecal source tracking, and molecular biotechnology for aquatic ecosystem studies. His research work focuses on exploiting advanced DNA-based molecular methods for study and survey of ecosystem functioning and service. He utilises next generation sequencing (NGS)-based environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to monitor and dissect aquatic microbial diversity spatiotemporal dynamics under various anthropogenic, environmental, and climatic impacts.

Anna De Luca

Lead Researcher assessing the potential externalities linked to implementing Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in terms of environmental cost or benefit, economic aspect feasibility and social repercussions (Leader of WP4 - Socio-economic and Life-Cycle assessment of the NBS).
University Mediterranea of Reggio Calabria - Department of Agriculture
Prof. Anna Irene De Luca is an Associate Professor in Agricultural and Food Economics and Rural Appraisal since 2021 at the Department of Agriculture of the University Mediterranea of Reggio Calabria (UNIRC). She holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics and Rural Appraisal in 2007, she is Deputy Director of the Teaching Board of PhD Course in Agricultural Science, Forestry and Food and currently teaches the academic course of “Economic evaluation of forest and environmental goods and services” within the master’s degree in “Forestry Sciences”.

Giacomo Falcone

Researcher assessing the potential externalities linked to implementing Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in terms of environmental cost or benefit, economic aspect feasibility and social repercussions (Research team member of WP4 - Socio-economic and Life-Cycle assessment of the NBS).
University Mediterranea of Reggio Calabria - Department of Agriculture
Dott. Giacomo Falcone is Tenure-Track Assistant Professor on Agricultural and Food Economics and Rural Appraisal since 2023 at the Department of Agriculture of the University Mediterranea of Reggio Calabria (UNIRC). He obtained his Ph.D. in Rural Economics and Appraisal in 2013 and his research activity has focused on the assessment of environmental, economic, and social sustainability of agri-food and agro-industrial production processes through the integrated use of life-cycle tools. He teaches the academic courses of “Economics and Management of Agri-food Enterprises” and “Agricultural Policy” within the Master’s degree in “Economics” and “Agricultural Science”.

Carlos Soria Rodríguez

Contributing as a researcher by enhancing the science-policy interface to advance the implementation of nature-based solutions targeting the reduction of pollution.
University of Jaén

Dr. Carlos Soria Rodríguez is a Ramón y Cajal Fellow in the Section of Public International Law and International Relations at the University of Jaén (Spain), and a Senior Associate Researcher at the Brussels School of Governance (Belgium). He holds a PhD in Law from the Free University of Brussels (Vrije Universiteit Brussel, VUB), Belgium. Trained as a public international and EU lawyer, with a solid background in public policy, Dr. Soria Rodríguez brings over a decade of experience in research, teaching, and policy analysis. His work focuses on public international law and EU law, particularly in the areas of environmental law and the law of the sea.

Raquel Jiménez Melero

Researcher on NbS Chemical and Ecotoxicological Assessment (WP3)
Science communicator (WP7).
Department of Animal Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology, University of  Jaén

Dr. Raquel Jiménez Melero is an aquatic ecologist with deep specialization in wetland zooplankton ecology. Her work focuses on understanding the dynamics of these microscopic communities and their crucial role in aquatic ecosystems.
She possesses extensive experience in the experimental design of ecological studies and in the advanced analysis of environmental data, which allows her to draw robust and meaningful conclusions from complex research.

Our Philosophy

We believe that sustainable solutions for water management must be grounded in nature, driven by science and supported by people.

We believe that sustainable solutions for water management must be grounded in nature, driven by science and supported by people.
We understand that water is a vital connector between nature, society and economy. Our philosophy is rooted in the belief that nature based solutions are not only effective, but essential to address current and future challenges related to aquatic ecosystems. We integrate knowledge from environmental science, engineering, ecology and social sciences to co-design strategies that restore, protect and enhance water systems. By working with local communities, institutions and decision-makers, we ensure that our actions are both technically sound and socially relevant. We are committed to creating real impact — improving water quality, increasing ecosystem resilience and supporting sustainable livelihoods. Innovation, transparency and collaboration are the cornerstones of our approach. NBS4AQUAMISSION represents a collective commitment to rethink the way we interact with water, putting nature at the heart of every solution we promote.

Our Values

  • Professional
  • Innovative
  • Scientific integrity
  • Ecosystem resilience
  • Collaborative spirit
  • Evidence based action
  • Sustainability