BrainMap

Mrs. Iulia Ajtai

PdD

Research Assistant - UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Researcher

Curriculum Vitae (05/01/2022)

Expertise & keywords

Team up for a circular economy: A collaborative approach between farmers, food services, retailers, and consumers for less food wastage Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de cercetare exploratorie - PCE-2021
PN-III-P4-PCE-2021-0538 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://tbs.ubbcluj.ro/foodwaste/

Abstract:

Food waste occurs at all stages in the food supply chain (e.g., production, consumption), and 40% of this waste is attributed to fruits and vegetables (FV). Consumer preference for perfectly shaped FV and the rigorous quality standards related to FV appearance used by food services and retailers are some of the reasons for FV wastage. In this context, the WasteConnect’s general objective is to reduce FV wastage through a collaborative approach between farmers, food services, retailers, and consumers within the circular economy paradigm. The project deals with fresh FV, both with normal and abnormal shapes. Furthermore, it investigates the causes, impact, and coping strategies related to FV wastage at farmer, food services, retailer, and consumer levels. The project will use a mix-method approach based on literature review, focus groups, surveys, in-store experiment, and an online platform. A representative sample of consumers will be surveyed. The questionnaire will rely on the Theory of Planned Behavior that will be extended by adding “knowledge” as an intention mediator. The in-store experiment will reveal which are the most suitable messages to stimulate the purchase of abnormally shaped FV. The online platform will connect stakeholders by communicating available and requested FV quantities. Thus, the project fits within the circular economy paradigm and it stimulates the economic, social, and environmental responsibility of food chain members.

Tools for modeling processes at the interface between water, soil, plants and air in order to promote the sustainable management of groundwater dependent ecosystems and their integrating river basins Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0721 2018 - 2021

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU PEDOLOGIE, AGROCHIMIE SI PROTECTIA MEDIULUI - ICPA BUCURESTI

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU PEDOLOGIE, AGROCHIMIE SI PROTECTIA MEDIULUI - ICPA BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA OVIDIUS (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO); INSTITUTUL DE STATISTICA MATEMATICA SI MATEMATICA APLICATA AL ACADEMIEI ROMANE''GHEORGHE MIHOC - CAIUS IACOB' (RO); UNIVERSITATEA "VALAHIA" TARGOVISTE (RO); INSTITUTUL DE BIOLOGIE (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: http://inter-aspa.ro/index.html

Abstract:

Seven institutional partners from four Romanian development regions joined in a consortium focused on the following priorities: “The sustainable administration of water resources, river basins and wetlands, and “the development of scientific knowledge in the field of air, water and soil, including their interfaces”. The goal of INTER-ASPA project is to create an innovation environment able to support over multiple strategic cycles the disciplinary, inter-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary research of processes at the interface between air, soil, plants and air. The general objectives of the project are: 1) To manage the integration of research directions, infrastructure and human resources within the cluster of institutions to generate basic and applied knowledge about interface processes, 2) To produce a toolbox for environmental services supporting the integrated management of water, soil and biological diversity resources in Romania, 3) To open and manage communication channels with the end-users of the project’s products and to develop web accessible information systems. The correlated program of institutional development has a modular structure, covering aspects from strategic level to the tactical level of infrastructure and human resource formation, and to the operational level of four research projects. One project is mono-disciplinary in hydrogeology, one is inter-disciplinary, and two are trans-disciplinary, oriented towards societal and economic issues. We will produce 29 environmental services in level 2-4 of readiness, 2 software programs, all transferred to end-users. Sixteen end-users have provided support letter for the project.

Disaster Risk Evaluation at National Level Call name:
SIPOCA/SMIS2014 - 30 2016 - 2017

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: Inspectoratul General Pentru Situatii de Urgenta

Project partners: Inspectoratul General Pentru Situatii de Urgenta (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU PEDOLOGIE, AGROCHIMIE SI PROTECTIA MEDIULUI - ICPA BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DE CONSTRUCTII BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN CONSTRUCTII, URBANISM SI DEZVOLTARE TERITORIALA DURABILA "URBAN-INCERC" (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA (RO); INSTITUTUL DE GEOGRAFIE (RO); AGENTIA NUCLEARA SI PENTRU DESEURI RADIOACTIVE (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE SANATATE PUBLICA (RO); AUTORITATEA NATIONALA SANITARA VETERINARA SI PENTRU SIGURANTA ALIMENTELOR (RO); INSTITUTUL DE SOCIOLOGIE (RO); INSTITUTUL DE PROGNOZA ECONOMICA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO); MINISTERUL MEDIULUI (RO); INSTITUTUL NAŢIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE ÎN SILVICULTURĂ "MARIN DRĂCEA" (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: http://www.ro-risk.ro

Abstract:

The project aims to bring direct and indirect benefits to all public administration authorities, knowledge of the risks faced by communities,

and consequently to update and enhance the quality of emergency prevention and response plans generated by the manifestation of the types

of risks that public authorities manage and implement in such situations.

Raising young people's awareness on preparedness and self-protection Call name:
ECHO/SUB/2015/721166/PREP12 2015 - 2017

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK)

Project partners: Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO); Inspectoratul General Pentru Situatii de Urgenta (RO); Austrian Red Cross (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: http://yaps.online/

Abstract:

Strengthening the self-help competencies of the population is the primary objective of this project. Critical information about recognizing and dealing with possible hazards and risks should be provided to citizens by effective education and communication in a bid to avoid injury and life-threatening situations. Therefore an effective and proactive education program has to be provided across all levels of the population. Young people will require a special approach, as they have to be engaged in a different manner to adults. Information must not terrify them; in fact the fear of accidents and disasters has to be removed. To make the young people’s environment safer is a first step. But it is much more useful to sensitize themselves towards possible dangers in everyday life. In doing so, they will learn very fast how to protect themselves against potential threats. Most accidents can be avoided by prevention through effective education. There are many measures, which can be taken to improve one’s situation in an emergency, as well as to protect others. In the first minutes after an accident or disaster, before professional help arrives, the knowledge of facts and specific interventions will ensure that no further harm occurs.

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects