Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sanda Iepure

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3748-3478

PhD in Biology, Romanian Academy (Group leader). Associate Professor at the University Babes Bolyai and Senior Researcher at the Institute of Speleology Emil Racovita with broad research interest in subterranean biology, cave ecology, biodiversity, biogeography, and caves ecosystem function. Current researches focuses on groundwater ecosystems and ecotoxicology, systematics, and taxonomy of groundwater crustaceans (cyclopoids, ostracods) and evolution and adaptations of cave crustaceans to extreme cave environments (ice caves, sulfidic caves).

Dr. Denes Avar Lehel

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8753-7190

Scientific researcher at the STAR-UBB Institute, Babeș-Bolyai University, his research interest include the phylogeographic patterns, speciation processes of aquatic and semiaquatic insect groups in the Carpathian Mountains and conserving local biodiversity in a European context. Current research focuses on molecular taxonomy and molecular ecology of several plant and insect taxa.

Maria Mirabela Pop, PhD Student

https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8221-473X

PhD student in Biology at the School of Advanced Studies of the Romanian Academy (SCOSAAR). Research interests include plankton interactions via mesocosm experiments, freshwater & groundwater ecology, cyclopoids crustaceans systematics, taxonomy & physiology and ecotoxicology.

Orest Sambor, MSc

Bachelor in Biology, University Babes Bolyai Cluj Napoca, Romania. Orest holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master’s degree in Systemic Ecology and Conservation from the Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeş-Bolyai University, with his graduation theses focused on aquatic invertebrates. With expertise in ecology, hydrobiology, biospeleology, and as an ecologist, he continues to conduct research and field monitoring in cave environments, exploring various aspects of cave ecology, biodiversity, and ecosystem dynamics.

Lab Alumni

Bachelor theses (2024 – 2026)

Cave aquatic fauna monitoring and harpacticoids crustaceans systematic and taxonomy (Stud. Dragos Coada, Biology degree)
Cave terrestrial fauna monitoring and cave spiders systematic and taxonomy (Stud. Stefan Puiu, Biology degree)
Toxicity of Bisphenol A on groundwater crustaceans (Stud. Bogdan Ilea, Biology degree)
Oxidative stress on groundwater amphipods crustaceans (Stud. Maria Moldovan, Biology degree)
Groundwater ostracods crustaceans of Romania (Stud. Laura Strungaru, Biology degree)