BrainMap

Mr. Lucian Copolovici

PhD Habil.

Professor - UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD

Researcher | Teaching staff | Scientific reviewer | PhD supervisor

Prof. Lucian Copolovici, Ph.D. Habil., of the Faculty of Food Engineering, Tourism, and Environmental Protection at “Aurel Vlaicu” University of Arad, has held a Ph.D. in Chemistry since 2004. He has completed postdoctoral stages at Tartu University (Estonia), Ghent University (Belgium), and the Estonian University of Life Sciences (Estonia). Since 2014, he has been a Ph.D. coordinator in Environmental Sciences and, since 2018, in Environmental Engineering. Prof. Copolovici is the author and co-author of more than 100 Web of Science papers, 7 books and book chapters, and 200 presentations at national and international conferences in the fields of environmental protection and plant eco-physiology.

Web of Science ResearcherID: B-6552-2011

Curriculum Vitae (10/03/2025)

Expertise & keywords

The impact of different habitats and abiotic stressors on the metabolites of plants from Galium and Helichrysum genera Call name: PNCDI IV, SP 5.8.3 - Proiecte de colaborare cu Republica Moldova
PN-IV-P8-8.3-ROMD-2023-0022 2024 - 2026

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO); Universitatea de Stat de Medicină şi Farmacie „Nicolae Testemiţanu” (MD)

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

The project is focused on the diverse secondary metabolites in plants, particularly in the Galium and Helichrysum genera. These compounds, including polyphenols, essential oils, and terpenoids, have gained attention due to their potential therapeutic uses. The study aims to investigate how these plants change their secondary metabolite profiles in response to various growth conditions and habitats, including stressors like drought, high carbon dioxide, and ozone.

The project outlines the following specific objectives:

O1: Screening the different plant species from Galium and Helichrysum genera from different locations from Moldavia and Romania regarding photosynthetic parameters and secondary metabolites

O2: Determination of secondary metabolites and photosynthetic parameters, from Galium and Helichrysum spp. grown in abiotic stress conditions (drought, elevated carbon dioxide, ozone)

O3: Determination of antioxidant and antiradical potentials of essential oils and hydroalcoholic extracts from Galium and Helichrysum spp.

O4: Involvement of researchers and Ph.D. students from the Moldavian Republic in advanced research

The research methodology involves the analysis of photosynthetic parameters, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pigments, polyphenols, and antioxidant capacity. The project's originality lies in its focus on stress-induced changes in secondary metabolites and their implications.

Cell-penetrating peptides-containing systems as a potential platform for the use in breast and prostate cancer treatment Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de cercetare exploratorie - PCE-2021
PN-III-P4-PCE-2021-0639 2022 - 2024

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO)

Project website: https://cpps-cancer.uav.ro/

Abstract:

Cancer became a major concern with human morbidity and mortality worldwide, therefore many strategies have been applied to combat the propagation of cancer cells and their elevated growth such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. Cell-penetrating peptides, CPPs, are useful vectors for the delivery of therapeutic agents such as drugs, siRNA, splice-correcting oligonucleotides, proteins, and plasmids. This project will focus on the design and synthesis of new cell-penetrating peptides obtained by performing chemical modifications of well known antimicrobial peptides. The CPPs will be non-covalently conjugated with different established drugs to obtain stable complexes to study the cellular uptake and pharmacological effects in relevant biological systems. The project aims to develop suitable methods for cell delivery of drugs with high specificity for cell/tissue cancer phenotypes. This project has a strong multidisciplinary character which falls into a special important area of science since it brings together a wide area of expertise including peptide/organic chemistry, molecular biology, cell biology.

The impact of abiotic and biotic stresses on plants due to climate changes Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie, 2020
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-0410 2021 - 2023

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO)

Project website: https://stressedplants.uav.ro/wordpress/

Abstract:

Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas emitted into the atmosphere due to human activities. Global CO2 concentration has risen more than ever in the last 20 years, from 385 ppm in 2010 to 416 ppm in June 2020. The working hypothesis of the project is based on the fact that because of climate change (increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration and global temperature), plants subject to other stressors (abiotic and biotic) tend to develop certain defense mechanisms including emission of different volatile organic compounds and modification in the synthetic pathway of other secondary metabolites.

The general objective of the present study is to investigate the influence of abiotic and biotic stresses on plants grow at elevated carbon dioxide in order to include the volatile emission in global models and to determine the modifications in the synthesis of secondary metabolites.

The originality and innovation elements of the present project consist of studies regarding stress-induced (both abiotic and biotic) to plants grown at high carbon dioxide concentration.

The influence of abiotic stress factors on physiological characteristics and secondary metabolites from aromatic plants Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare Postdoctorală
PN-III-P1-1.1-PD-2019-0349 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO)

Project website: http://abistress.uav.ro/

Abstract:

In recent years, due to climate change, the global temperature has increased by 0.8 °C, and the prediction models have shown global warming by more than 3 °C until 2100. As the global temperature increases, the drought periods or with extreme temperatures become common. As well in the last time, the weather has a tendency to change drastically in a short period of time. Due to these stress periods, plants are under a variety of stress factors caused not only by the environment (abiotic stress) but also by various biotic stressors such as fungi, insects, or microorganisms. The present project will be focused on the impact of abiotic stresses on plants secondary metabolites (volatile organic compounds, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, essential oils).

1. To evaluate the impact of antagonist abiotic stress (heat and cold; drought and flooding; high and low light) on the volatile emission of aromatic plants.

2. To investigate the relationships of the antagonist stresses on non-volatile metabolites (pigments, phenolic compounds, flavonoids etc.).

3. To evaluate the response of the essential oils production from aromatic plants under concomitant or successive antagonist stresses.

The project will study the influence of two antagonist stresses as drought and flooding, which could occur due to the actual climate change or high and low temperature (which could occur simultaneous or successive).

Closing the bioeconomy value chains by manufacturing market demanded innovative bioproducts Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0569 2018 - 2021

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti

Project partners: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO); UNIVERSITATEA "DUNAREA DE JOS" (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO); UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO)

Project website: http://icechim-rezultate.ro/proiect.php?id=51&lang=ro

Abstract:

Agriculture and food industry in Romania generates large amounts of co/by-products, which are not used and turn into wastes, with negative impacts. The approach of the project PRO-SPER is to develop integrated processes, flexible and interconnected, to transform a number of agro-food by-products in bio-products, with market demand. This approach facilitates the achievement of project goals, complex-coordination and linking of the research organizations that are members of the Consortium, INCDCP-ICMPP, UDJ, ICECHIM, INCDSB and UAV, for improving their institutional performance in the field of nano-and bio-technologies of their application into bioeconomy.

The overall objective of the project PRO-SPER is to increase the impact of research and development activities and innovation of the RDI institutions, by developing and harnessing innovative technological solutions for bio-nano-processing of several by-products from the bioeconomy value chains, for recovering and/or formation of value-added components and their use in order to obtain products with high added value.

Expected results through the implementation of the project (21 new jobs, 23 national patent applications and international patent applications 6 EPO/WIPO; 10 technologies/new products resulting from the project, at a level of technological maturity to enable taking over by the operators, 5 services research and technological research services 10 cheques, 10 experiments cheques services

80 internship of young researchers from and within partner institutions, 50 visits for developing new techniques for working jointly in the Consortium, 30 training internships for new employees, 28scientific papers, 1 joint program CDI, in line with the development plan of institutional partners) have a significant impact on the capacity-building of the partners in the Consortium.

Assessing the influence of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on physiological characteristics and secondary metabolites in autochthonous vegetables Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare Postdoctorală
PN-III-P1-1.1-PD-2016-0484 2018 - 2020

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: http://www.itim-cj.ro/PNCDI/ru12/index.html

Abstract:

In the recent years, the presence of pharmaceutical products (emerging contaminants) in environment represents the most important environmental concern at world level. Among these environmental contaminants are included the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – NSAIDs, the most relevant therapeutic classes for their analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties. The influence of environmental stress factors on both crop and wild plants of nutritional value represents a very important research topic, and understanding the effects of NSAIDs on plant physiological activity and structural modification is limited, especially at environmentally relevant concentrations. Thus, to gain insight into influences of different NSAIDs on plant performance and identify the most promising traits for fast assessment of toxicity, in the present project it is aimed to study the impact of different NSAIDs on performance of the autochthonous green leafy vegetables in the context of monitoring both certain vegetables leaf parameters and the accumulation/contamination level. The proposed objectives of the present project will be achieved by investigating the influence of different NSAIDs on foliage photosynthetic characteristics, monitoring the emission of volatile organic compounds, evaluation of the vegetables leaf anatomy, quantitative evaluation of the photosynthetic pigments, polyphenolic compounds, vitamin C, determination of the antioxidant capacity, and determination of the NSAIDs content accumulated in the vegetables, and soil respectively. Thus, the present project will contribute with information for a better understanding of the adverse effects of these drugs on the environment and awareness a responsible consumption of drugs.

Demonstrative processing plant for an innovative hemp retting. Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect de transfer la operatorul economic
PN-III-P2-2.1-PTE-2016-0217 2016 - 2018

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: ECOMAX S.R.L.

Project partners: ECOMAX S.R.L. (RO); UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO); CALORIS GROUP SA (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO)

Project website: http://itop.uav.ro/

Abstract:

The project entitled " Demonstrative processing plant for an innovative hemp retting" will develop a technological line for application on an industrial scale of a new concept of technology for hemp retting in small pools by applying a technical innovative solution ( patent Number: RO128837-A0, EP2703527-A1) to obtain high quality fibers.

During the technological processes at pilot industrial scale, beside the retting phase (the main component) will also be tested experimentally the other components of the technology of obtaining superior quality hemp fibers (dry stalks, reuse of wastewaters) and finally all components will be integrated in an automated line.

The novelty acquainted by this research is the use of mixed microorganism inoculum on a substrate of waste fruits and yeast for efficient hydrolysis of the pectins at low temperatures, in the process of hemp retting, the use of a culture of symbiotic yeast and acetic bacteria for removing the pectins from the wastewaters, and use of microwave assisted drying of the stems instead of hot air.

The activities presented in the project will be implemented in partnership and results will bring out: (i) a hemp retting technology applied at industrial scale, (ii) a bio-cleaning method for wastewaters purification industrial applied , and (iii) a prototype processing plant for hemp retting that will give rise to a patent application at the end of the project.

Emission of volatile compounds from Betulacea and Fagacea elicited during biotic and abiotic stresses” Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - TE-2011 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2011-3-0022 2012 - 2014

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: Universitatea "Aurel Vlaicu" Arad

Project partners: Universitatea "Aurel Vlaicu" Arad (RO)

Affiliation: Universitatea "Aurel Vlaicu" Arad (RO)

Project website: http://pnii.uav.ro/

Abstract:

Plants emit more than 100,000 chemical products but estimative total number of secondary metabolites exceeds 500,000 and at least 1700 of these are known to be volatile. The composition of secondary metabolites is species specific and is affected by external conditions. A vast array of volatile compounds - terpenes (), lipoxygenate pathway compounds, ethylene, nitric oxide, methanol, ethanol are involved in stress-dependent signalling within a single plant as well as communication between plants and between plants and insects.

Currently, the relationships between the stress strength and amount of volatiles produced are non-quantitative. Furthermore, under natural conditions plants are exposed to a conjunction of two or more stress factors. One type of stress could weaken or enhance the effects of another stress factor. These types of investigation are very seldom done in the research community. The measurements of stress-dependent compound emissions need to quantitatively describe plant response dynamics and extent.

The major aims of the present project are:

To investigate the relationships between the strength of the stress and produced volatile signal.

To determine synergic effect of cumulative abiotic and biotic stresses on volatile organic compounds emitted by plants.

To ascertain the effects of biotic and abiotic stress applied cumulative or successive to the plants on emitted volatile secondary metabolites.

Laborator de evaluarea calității si proprietăţilor nutriţionale a produselor alimentare pentru practica studenților Call name: Fondul de Dezvoltare Instituţională - FDI - Competiţia 2023
CNFIS-FDI-2023-F-0313 2023 -

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

Obiectivul general al proiectului îl reprezintă dezvoltarea abilităţilor practice ale viitorilor ingineri din domeniul ingineriei produselor alimentare si a nutriționistilor prin realizarea unor experimente practice în domeniul vizat, la scară pilot.

Obiectivele specifice derivate sunt după cum urmează:

O1 Realizarea laboratorului de evaluare a proprietăţilor fizico-chimice nutritionale a alimentelor, pentru practica studenţilor la scară pilot.

O2 Dezvoltarea abilităţilor practice ale studenților prin realizarea în perioadă de practică „in house” a măsuratorilor specifice din domeniul ingineriei alimentare, a protecţiei consumatorului și a nutriției și dieteticii.

O3 Formarea profesională a viitorilor ingineri prin asigurarea unor condiții de practică cât mai apropiate de condițiile tehnice din viitoarele profesii pentru a căpăta competențe conforme cu solicitările angajatorilor.

O4 Realizarea practică a unor teme de cercetare în cadrul lucrărilor de licenţă și disertație în conformitate cu ultimele tendințe din cercetarea în domeniu si pentru a dobândi competențele solicitate de piața muncii.

O5 Realizarea unor planuri nutriționale personalizate atât pentru persoane sănătoase cât și pentru persoane cu nevoi speciale.

Laborator de kinetoterapie şi terapii complementare pentru practica studenților Call name: Fondul de Dezvoltare Instituţională - FDI - Competiţia 2022
CNFIS-FDI-2022-0274 2022 -

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

Obiectivul general al proiectului îl reprezintă dezvoltarea abilităţilor practice ale viitorilor kinetoterapeuti în domeniul motricității umane prin realizarea unor experimente practice la acelasi nivel ca şi intr-un cabinet profesional de kinetoterapie şi recuperare motorie.

Obiectivele specifice derivate sunt după cum urmează:

O1. Realizarea laboratorului de kinetoterapie si terapii complementare pentru practica studenţilor la scară pilot.

O2. Dezvoltarea abilităţilor practice ale studenților prin realizarea în perioadă de practică „in house” a procedurilor şi tehnicilor specifice de evaluare a sanatatii, kinetoterapie şi masaj.

O3. Formarea profesională a viitorilor kinetoterapeuti prin asigurarea unor condiții de practică cât mai apropiate de condițiile din cabinetele medicale de kinetoterapie pentru a căpăta competențe conforme cu solicitările angajatorilor.

O4. Realizarea practică a unor teme de cercetare în cadrul lucrărilor de licenţă în conformitate cu ultimele tendințe din domeniu (inclusive includerea de terapii complementare şi alternative) sau pentru a dobândi competențele solicitate de piața muncii.

O5. Realizarea grădinii verticale interioare pentru terapia horticolă.

Laborator de evaluare a calității mediul pentru practica studenților Call name: Fondul de Dezvoltare Instituţională - FDI - Competiţia 2020
CNFIS-FDI-2020-0096 2020 -

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

Obiectivul general al proiectului îl reprezintă dezvoltarea abilitătilor practice ale viitorilor ingineri din domeniul ingineriei mediului prin realizarea unor experimente practice la scară pilot.

Obiectivele specifice derivate sunt după cum urmează:

O1 Realizarea laboratorului de evaluare a calitatii mediului pentru practica studentilor la scara pilot.

O2 Dezvoltarea abilitătilor practice ale studenților prin realizarea în perioadă de practică „in the house” a masuratorilor specifice din domeniul ingineriei mediului

O3 Formarea profesională a viitorilor ingineri prin asigurarea unor condiții de practică cât mai apropiate de condițiile tehnice din viitoarele profesii pentru a căpăta competențe conforme cu solicitările angajatorilor.

O4 Realizarea practică a unor teme de cercetare în cadrul lucrărilor de licenţă și disertație în conformitate cu ultimele tendințe din cercetarea în domeniu sau pentru a dobândi comptențele solicitate de piața muncii.

Laborator la scală pilot pentru procesarea produselor din carne Call name: Fondul de Dezvoltare Instituţională - FDI - Competiţia 2019
CNFIS-FDI-2019-0150 2019 -

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

Obiectivul general îl reprezintă dezvoltarea abilitătilor practice ale viitorilor ingineri din domeniul industria alimentară prin realizarea unor experimente practice la scară pilot

Obiectivele specifice derivate sunt după cum urmează:

O1 Realizarea laboratorului de procesare a produselor din carne atât în ceea ce privește carnea de porc, vită, pui și vânat

O2 Dezvoltarea abilitătilor practice ale studenților prin realizarea în perioadă de practică „in the house” a unor produse alimentare cu valoare adăugată (cârnați, salam, tobă etc.) condimentate cu diverse mirodenii din plante aromatice și/sau cu mucegaiuri

O3 Formarea profesională a viitorilor ingineri prin asigurarea unor condiții de practică cât mai apropiate de condițiile tehnice din viitoarele profesii

O4 Realizarea practică a unor teme de cercetare în cadrul lucrărilor de licentă și disertație

Laborator la scară pilot de distilare pentru practica studenților Call name: Fondul de Dezvoltare Instituţională - FDI - Competiţia 2018
CNFIS-FDI-2018-0347 2018 -

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

Obiectivul general îl reprezintă dezvoltarea abilităţilor practice ale viitorilor ingineri din domeniul ingineriei alimentare prin realizarea unor experimente practice la scară pilot.

Obiectivele specifice derivate sunt după cum urmează:

- Realizarea laboratorului de produse distilate atât în ceea ce privește distilatele din fructe cât și a uleiurilor volatile din plante aromate.

- Dezvoltarea abilităţilor practice ale studenţilor prin realizarea în perioada de practică „in house” a unor produse alimentare cu valoare adăugată (distilate și uleiuri volatile).

- Formarea profesională a viitorilor ingineri din domeniul ingineriei alimentare prin asigurarea unor condiții de practică cât mai apropiate de procesele tehnologice din companiile de profil.

- Elaborarea lucrărilor de licență și disertație pe baza rezultatelor practice obținute în stația pilot.

Valorisation of winery by-products - application for wastewater treatment. Call name: P 3 - SP 3.1 - Proiecte de mobilități, România-Franța (bilaterale)
PN-III-P3-3.1-PM-RO-FR-2016-0030 2016 -

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO); University of Perpignan Via Domitia Biosensors Analysis Environment (FR); CENTRUL INTERNATIONAL DE BIODINAMICA (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA AUREL VLAICU ARAD (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

Obiectivul principal al propunerii de proiect este valorificarea produselor secundare agro-alimentare, în special a celor provenite de la cânepă și struguri, două dintre produsele agro-alimentare de importanță economică ridicată și cu o lungă tradiție de cultivare în România și Franța. Un prim pas constă în identificarea de proprietăți antioxidante și antimicrobiene noi și a efectelor sinergetice ale produselor secundare provenite din prelucrarea cânepii și strugurilor. Aceste proprietăți ar putea fi exploatate pentru aplicații în industria alimentară, farmaceutică, a produselor cosmetice, sau la tratarea apelor industriale.. În acest scop partenerii din consorțiu vor dezvolta, adapta și aplica metode și senzori specifice fiecărui laborator pentru evaluarea activității antioxidante și antimicrobiane al produselor secundare provenite de la prelucrarea cânepii și vinificație și a efectelor sinergetice ale amestecurilor acestora, vor evidenția prin metode chemometrice corelațiile dintre aceste proprietăți și parametrii specifici de compoziție ai sub-produselor și vor investiga o nouă aplicație de valorificare a boștinei și tescovinei de la vinificație în tratarea apelor reziduale provenite din topirea cânepii. Mobilitățile si activitățile prevăzute în proiect vor promova un nucleu puternic de tineri cercetători, vor crește vizibilitatea partenerilor și vor servi ca punte spre proiecte europene mai largi dedicate valorificării subproduselor agroalimentare.

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader	Download (65.15 kb) 10/03/2025
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects	Download (8.52 kb) 01/04/2017