SONATA

Monitoring of nature infrastructure - Skill acquisition for Nature-based Solutions

Participants

Tijana Nikolić Lugonja

Tijana is the SONATA project coordinator and WP6 leader. Senior Researcher at BioSense Institute with a PhD in Ecology. Her work focuses on integrated landscape management that entails food production, biodiversity and climate change across sectors and stakeholders to meet short and long term societal needs.

Maja Arok

Maja is the SONATA project co-coordinator and WP5 leader. Researcher at BioSense Institute, she holds a PhD degree in Ecology. She is actively involved in biodiversity conservation of semi-natural landscapes, focusing on the endangered European ground squirrel, as well as birds and hoverflies.

Andrijana Andrić

Senior Research Associate at BioSense Institute, with PhD in Biology. Her research focus is study of insect pollinators and their host plants, using various approaches to obtain data on their biology and ecology. Andrijana is T1.1 co-lead and participant in WP3.

Bojana Ivošević

Research Associate at BioSense Institute. Through initiating her PhD in Kyungpook National University in South Korea, she gained valuable experience in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and is currently working on utilizing them for efficient monitoring of croplands, freshwaters, and terrains. Bojana is WP1 participant and T2.1 co-lead.

Branko Brkljač

Associate professor of telecommunications and signal processing with research interests at the intersection of pattern recognition, computer vision and remote sensing. In SONATA, Branko is participating in WP1, mainly in T1.2.

Predrag Lugonja

Researcher at BioSense Institute, his work focuses on GIS and Remote Sensing. He is currently in the final year of his PhD studies at the Faculty of Technical Science. Predrag is participating in WP1, mainly in T1.2.

Nikola Obrenović

Senior Researcher at BioSense Institute, he received his PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Currently, his research interests include mathematical optimization, operations research, machine learning, databases, and model-driven software engineering. Nikola is T1.4 co-lead and WP3 participant.

Bojana Bokić

Associate professor at the Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad and a botanist of the Herbarium of UNS (BUNS). Her research mostly focuses on the morphological variability, chemical composition, and unique sexual models in the Lamiaceae and Plantaginaceae families. Bojana is participating in WP1, mainly in T1.2.

Boris Radak

Assistant professor at the Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad and a botanist of the Herbarium of UNS (BUNS). His research activities are focused on the morphological variability and diversity of the orchids of the Balkan Peninsula and the Pannonian Plain. Boris is participating in WP1, mainly in T1.2.

Sanja Brdar

Senior Researcher at BioSense Institute, she received a PhD degree from the University of Novi Sad. She works on ensemble methods, data fusion, clustering, and predictive modelling with applications in biology, agriculture, environmental sciences and health. Sanja is participating in WP1, mainly in T1.2 and leading T5.4.

Sreten Terzić

Agroecologist with experience in plant genetic resources, plant-pollinator interactions, agroforestry and soil health. He is devoted to optimization of ecosystem services using Nature-based Solutions to improve sustainability of food production and environmental conservation. In SONATA, Sreten is involved in WP1 and WP3, co-leading T3.2.

Maksim Lalić

Research Trainee at BioSense Institute and a PhD student at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences, he is interested in applications of machine learning, operations research and artificial intelligence in the development of agent and decision support systems. Maksim is participating in WP1, mainly in T1.4 and WP3.

Miljana Marković

Research Trainee at the BioSense Institute and a PhD student of Geosciences at the Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad. Her research focuses on applying remote sensing and geographical information systems in the field of agriculture. In SONATA, Miljana is participating in WP1, mainly in T1.2.

Mirjana Radulović

Junior Research Assistant at the BioSense Institute and a PhD student of Geosciences, she works on applying geographical information systems and remote sensing technology for monitoring irrigation, drought, crops, and groundwater. In SONATA, Mirjana is participating in T1.2 and acts as the SONATA social media manager.

Branislav Živaljević

Research Trainee at BioSense Institute. He holds an MSc in Geography and Geoinformatics, and is currently pursuing his PhD at the Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad. Branislav is participating in WP3, mainly in T3.2 and T3.4.

Branislav Pejak

A Research Trainee at BioSense Institute, he is pursuing his PhD in Electrical Engineering at the Faculty of Technical Sciences. His work focuses on crop classification and crop yield prediction using time series of multispectral images and GAN machine learning framework. Branislav is participating in WP1, mainly in T1.4.

Maria Kireeva

Senior Researcher at BioSense Institute, she holds a PhD in Hydrology, Water Resources, and Geochemistry from Lomonosov Moscow State University. Her main research interests relate to water management, including incorporating machine learning methods and data-driven models in hydrological surveys and forecasts. In SONATA, Maria is participating in WP3 and WP5, mainly in T5.4.

Ljiljana Šašić Zorić

Senior researcher at BioSense Institute, she holds a PhD in Biology. She is oriented towards the application of mitochondrial and nuclear sequence based molecular markers in genetic analyses, identification and delimitation of European insect species. Ljiljana is leading T2.4 lead and participant in WP1.

Ivana Pejović

Ivana is a Junior Research Assistant at the BioSense Institute and a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad. Her research focuses on metagenomic analyses of the soil microbiome. She has extensive experience in international relations, academic mobilities and research management. In SONATA, she is involved in WP 1-4.

Sandra Jovanović

Sandra is employed at BioSense institute, and holds a Master's degree in Ecology. She is involved in nature and biodiversity protection, with the focus on Nature-based Solutions. Her main activity is establishment of good and productive collaboration between all relevant stakeholders.

Slobodan Knežević

Naturalist and communicator with over ten years of experience in nature conservation communications. His professional career began at the Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia and has since collaborated with numerous organizations, institutions, and businesses. In SONATA, his role is in introducing the public to the benefits of the project and the concept of Nature-Based Solutions. Slobodan is participating in WP5.

Aleksandra Gašić Čolić

General Service Officer at BioSense Institute, she graduated from the Faculty of Law. She is currently working in the Secretariat of the BioSense institute. She is the SONATA administration officer, leading T4.2 and participates in WP 2.

Vladislava Grbović

Project Manager within the Center for Innovation and Business Development at the BioSense Institute. She holds an MSc from the Faculty of Tourism, University of Novi Sad, where she specialized in Eco-Villages. Vladislava is leading T3.1 and participating in WPs 4 and 5.

Miloš Pandžić

Research Assistant at BioSense Institute, focusing on Earth observation, remote sensing, image processing and data analytics. He is currently enrolled as a PhD student of Geodesy and Geoinformatics at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Belgrade. Miloš is a WP3 participant and leads T3.3.

Isidora Simović

Senior Researcher at BioSense institute, she pursued her PhD at the Faculty of Forestry in Belgrade. She is currently working on the application of remote sensing techniques in the monitoring of climate and anthropogenic impacts on natural and urban ecosystems. Isidora leads T2.1 and participates in WP1.

Anastasija Čeprnić

Intern at BioSense Institute, she obtained her master's degree in Ecological Risk Assessment. During her studies she gained valuable experience volunteering in nature conservation and education of the public on ecology-related topics. In SONATA, Anastasija is acting as project coordinator administrative support.

Jovan Kokotović

Master’s student of Ecology at the Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad. Most of his research is focused on mammals, specifically bats, their ecology, and bioacoustics. Jovan participates in WP1.

Marija Miličić

Senior researcher at BioSense Institute, she obtained her PhD in Ecology. Her research activities are primarily focused towards the conservation of a significant insect pollinator group – hoverflies. Marija is WP1 participant.

Sonja Tarčak

Research Associate at BioSense Institute, she received a PhD degree from the Faculty of Sciences on the subject of forest management. Her focus is on forest ecosystems, their functioning and response to environmental changes, and application of remote sensing in forest ecology. Sonja is a WP1 participant.

Kristina Kalkan

Research Assistant at BioSense Institute. She obtained her PhD at Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad. As a soil scientist, she utilizes GIS, Remote Sensing and Drone Imagery for analytical and visualization purposes. Kristina is a WP1 participant.

Aleksandra Stankov Petreš

Research Associate at BioSense Institute, she obtained her PhD from the Faculty of Agriculture. Her work focuses on food safety by applying ecologically friendly methods of biological control and pathogen detection methods to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides. Aleksandra is a participant in WP3.

Anja Šepa

Junior Researcher in the Centre for Information Technologies at BioSense Institute, she graduated from the Faculty of Economics in Subotica. She is currently a PhD student with focus on the field of finance, valuation of agricultural land and agroeconomics. Aleksandra is a participant in WP3.

Lori Giagnacovo

Remote sensing data analysist with a passion for nature valuation, conservation and restoration. She develops habitat maps, monitors habitat condition, examines drivers of change and supports improvements to data processing and workflow operations within Ecosystem Accounting projects. Within SONATA, Lori will co-develop habitat maps based on in-situ and remote sensing data and modelling techniques.

Frederik Priem

Spatial modelling and mapping expert at VITO’s Land Use Modelling Analyses & Climate Impact team. He develops tools for spatial optimization and simulation of spatial dynamics to allow end-users to make sense of large multifaceted geo-datasets. His interests include high-performance computing, data visualization, machine learning and AI. In SONATA, Frederik is involved in the development of a spatial optimization model for simulating alternative spatial scenarios of Nature-based Solutions and the ecosystem services they provide.

Els Verachtert

Expert in spatial mapping/modelling and transforming qualitative concepts like ‘sustainable land use’ and ‘environmental quality’ into measurable, quantitative indicators, as such providing actionable insights for regions to plan for a resilient future. Els contributes in SONATA to the development of a spatial optimization model for simulating alternative spatial scenarios of Nature-based Solutions and the ecosystem services they provide.

Eline Vanuytrecht

Project manager at VITO's Natural Capital Accounting team, which is dedicated to mapping the extent and quality of ecosystems and quantifying services thereof based on analysis of remote sensing data. She has a background in environmental modelling and experience in diverse domains, including climate change adaptation, agriculture, biodiversity and human health. In SONATA, Eline leads WP1 on the mapping, modelling and monitoring of Nature Infrastructure.

Bruno Smets

Senior expert in Natural Capital Accounting. He is leading several projects to mainstream ecosystem accounting and integrating Remote Sensing data therein, in Europe and beyond, with the aim to enable decision makers in public and private sector to improve transforming towards nature positive. Within SONATA, Bruno provides expert advice on the Nature Infrastructure mapping, modelling and monitoring.

Karolien Vermeiren

Expert in spatial modelling at VITO’s Land Use Modelling Analyses & Climate Impact team. She contributes to numerous projects on land use, emissions, renewable energy and Nature-based Solutions by deploying modelling tools for spatial analysis, optimization and simulation. In SONATA, Karolien supports the spatial tool development to simulate spatial scenarios for Nature-based Solutions.

Marcel Buchhorn

Senior researcher at VITO's Natural Capital Accounting team with a background in bio-geoscientific remote sensing, forestry and sustainable resource management. He develops methods and implements workflows to automate ecosystem accounting via integration of statistics, spatiotemporal analysis and Earth Observation data.  In SONATA, Marcel supports the development of the habitat maps in the OpenEO platform.

Hans Vanrompay

Leader of VITO’s Data Engineering team, leveraging his passion for AI and data science expertise. The team supports projects in the use of Earth Observation data through OpenEO to monitor agricultural fields, forests, and environmental changes. In SONATA, Hans promotes and supports the use of OpenEO for advanced data analytics, AI and habitat mapping.

Ana Silio Calzada

Specialist in remote sensing applied to aquatic systems, with a PhD in Environmental Sciences from the Pierre et Marie Curie University (Paris-VI, France). She is part of the Freshwater Ecosystems group at the Environmental Hydraulics Institute (IHCantabria), where she focuses on monitoring coastal morphodynamic evolution, as well as addressing water quality issues, ecosystem resilience, and the morphodynamics of water bodies. In SONATA, Ana is the T5.3 lead and a participant in WP1.

Patricia Bueno Soria

Bachelor of Arts in Politics by the University of East Anglia in Norwich, UK where she focused her final thesis on the impact of Poland’s accession to the European Union. She is a Project Manager at the Environmental Hydraulics Institute of Cantabria (IHCantabria) where she provides support in terms of administrative and financial issues throughout the whole cycle of the project. In SONATA, Patricia is the WP4 lead.

Constantino Ribes de Prada

Bachelor in Business Management and Administration at the Universidad de Cantabria. He is part of the Administration Area at IHCantabria, where he collaborates in the preparation, management, administration, and financial-administrative certification of European projects related to research and capacity building within various European programmes. In SONATA, he is a participant in WP4.

Silvia Fernández Rodicio

Part of the European Projects Department at IHCantabria, she supports funding opportunity detection, proposal preparation, and the administrative and financial management of Horizon Europe projects. She holds a Degree in Economics with a Major in International Economics from the Universidad de Cantabria. In SONATA, he is a participant in WP4.

Leonard Sandin

Research Leader at the NINA Oslo office. He is an aquatic ecologist and has in the last year worked on the Nordic Council of Ministers visions programme on Nature-based Solutions. Leonard is the WP3 lead and is also leading Task 3.2 on training and mobility. He will be involved mainly in WP3 activities.

Tessa Bahiga Bargmann

Landscape ecologist with research interests in transdisciplinary research on ecosystem services and integrated ecosystem management, nature-based solutions, and stakeholder involvement. Tessa is a co-lead on WP3 Task 3.1 on stakeholder mapping and NbS living lab setup. She will be involved in the NbS case studies, and mainly in other activities within WP3.

Markus A.K. Sydenham

Senior Research Scientist that specializes in wild bee ecology and conservation. His research program is placed between general ecology with a focus on improving our understanding of how ecological processes affect wild bees and the ecosystem services they provide, and applied ecology where he works closely with stakeholders to develop cost-effective conservation actions and design effective outreach activities. Markus is the coordinator of WP1 Task 1.3 on Ecosystem assessment, and WP3 Task 3.3 on NbS case studies.

Berit Junker-Köhler

Berit’s areas of expertise are quantitative and qualitative social science research, mapping of user groups preferences, public participation, stakeholder analysis and transdisciplinary decision-making in natural resource management with a focus on ecological restoration and nature-based solutions. Berit is a co-lead on WP3 Task 3.1 on stakeholder mapping and NbS living lab setup, and a co-lead on WP2 Task 2.3 focusing on the organization of a summer school. She will be involved mainly in WP3 activities.

Maja Vasilijević

Social geographer with expertise in regional collaborative processes for nature conservation, governance and science-policy interface, and extensive experience in strategic leadership of specialist networks. Maja is a co-lead on WP3 Task 3.4 focusing on co-creation events and participatory workshops, and a co-lead on WP2 Task 2.3 focusing on the implementation of a summer school.

Hedda Barfod Ørbæk

Ecologist, currently holding a PhD position at NINA where she researches Nature-based Solutions with a focus on pollination services in agriculture. She will be participating in the pollination case-study and research activities in WP1 and WP3.

Franciso de Borja Jiménez-Alfaro

Coordinator of the Vegetation and Biodiversity Lab and director of the Jardín Botánico Atlántico de Gijón, focusing on plant communities through ecological biogeography, seed regeneration, and ecosystem monitoring. His research integrates fieldwork, vegetation databases, remote sensing, and lab experiments. In SONATA, he will lead the vegetation data collection team.

Jose Manuel Álvarez Martínez

Landscape ecologist specializing in remote sensing and Copernicus applications for ecological modeling. As a researcher in the SONATA project, he integrates spatial ecology, biodiversity mapping, and Earth Observation technologies to support conservation and land management. His work focuses on high-precision habitat modeling, assessing land use impacts, and promoting Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for sustainable ecosystems. Jose is the lead of WP2.

Maria Alicia Valdés Rapado

Ecologist specializing in biodiversity, global change, and plant phenology. Her research focuses on integrating vegetation data with remote sensing to improve habitat mapping and ecosystem monitoring. As part of the SONATA project, Alicia contributes to research capacity building through interdisciplinary training and knowledge transfer.

Marta Pérez Suárez

Marta is a molecular biologist specializing in forestry species and seed ecology, focusing on the genetic and epigenetic control of seed aging. She has experience in project management within multidisciplinary teams. In the SONATA project, she coordinates tasks for UNIOVI, overseeing the planning, execution, communications, and stakeholder management.

Gonzalo Hernández Romero

Environmental technician specializing in remote sensing for ecological modelling of habitats and species, GIS, spatial databases, statistical modelling applied to Land Use and Land Cover Change (LULC) and biogeography. As a researcher in the SONATA project, Gonzalo uses Earth Observation (EO) technologies and quantitative modelling to address ecosystem monitoring and land management challenges.

This project is funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe (Project SONATA GA 101159546)