„Emerging environmental contaminants – current status, challenges and perspectives” & "Air Quality and Global Pollution: Monitoring, Exposure and Human Health"

Joana C. Prata, DVM PhD, is an Invited Auxiliary Professor at the IUCS and at the University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, Portugal. She has a PhD in Biology and Ecology of Global Changes specialized in Environmental Biology and Health (2021). She conducts interdisciplinary research on contaminants, having published over 50 peer-reviewed papers (h-index of 28) and is a highly cited researcher. She is currently the Editor-in-Chief of Water Emerging Contaminants & Nanoplastics.

She has been involved as a team member in several national projects and is the responsible investigator on a project studying dietary human exposure to microplastics (MICROEXPOS_GI2-CESPU-2023). She has experience in working with risk assessment, toxicology, analytical methodologies (for chemical characterization of contaminants), and biochemical and molecular tools. She has supervised 2 Bachelor students and is currently supervising 2 PhD students and 2 Master students.

Dr. Zisis Vryzas holds BSc and MSc degree in Crop Protection and PhD in Pesticide Science. He teaches undergraduate and post-graduate courses in the fields of Pesticide Science (Introduction to Agricultural Pharmacology, Advanced Agricultural Pharmacology, Agrochemical Fate in the Environment, Integrated Crop Protection -Product Certification) and Environmental Protection (Agriculture and Environment, Ecotoxicology, Ecological Risk Assessment and Agro-ecosystem Pollution).

His research expertise is focused on the:

• Development of pesticide residue and toxins analytical methods
• Environmental fate of pesticides and contamination of surface- and groundwater bodies
• Monitoring of pesticide residues in environmental samples, food and Feed
• Pesticide risk assessment and prioritization exercises
• Ecotoxicological behavior of pesticides and their metabolites
• Effects of post-harvest treatments on the fate of pesticides on processed foods
• Interactions of pesticides with soil microbial community - Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR)
• Use of Constructed Wetlands for remediation of pesticide point source pollution sites.

He has studied the environmental fate of different classes of pesticides with particular focus on the leaching, preferential flow, run off and contamination of surface-and ground-water bodies. He has been working on monitoring of pesticide residues in environmental samples and has conducted numerous ecotoxicological and human health risk assessment studies. The last six years within the frame of the EU project MSCA-RISE European Commission H2020, KNOWPEC he has focused on prioritization of pesticides and conducting hierarchic risk assessment of pesticides under various environmental and agricultural conditions. He has studied the ecotoxicity of pesticides on different non-target organisms (microtox test, fish, higher plants). Dr. Zisis Vryzas is also a member of the IUPAC Advisory Committee on Crop Protection Chemistry and member of the editorial board of the IUPAC’s CropChem News and ACS Agricultural Science & Technology. His research activity has resulted in 50 articles in international peer-reviewedjournals (total citations:2600, h-index:28). He has reviewed over 300 papers in more than 40 international scientific journals. He was a member of the organizing and scientific committee of the 14^th and 15^th IUPAC International Congress of Crop Protection Chemistry and of the SETAC EUROPE 32^nd annual meeting.

Dr. M. Russel received his M.Sc and Ph.D. degree in Environmental Science and Engineering in the year of 2009 and 2012 respectively, from the China University of Geoscience, Wuhan, P R China and B.Sc in Leather Technology in the year of 2004 from University of Dhaka. Dr. Russel received research training as a visiting scholar at the State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, P R China. He had couple of research fellowship experiences during Masters and PhD study periods. Like M. Phil exchange fellowship at the department of chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Doctoral joint research fellowship at Department of Environmental science and engineering, Waikato University and Food and Bio-based Group, Agresearch Ltd. Hamilton, Newzeland. He had worked with DESA, Sustainable development group in United Nation, New York, USA, Head Quarter for sound environmental management.

Dr Russel is currently working as an Associate Professor for Environmental Pollution and Ecological Monitoring at School of Chemical Engineering, Ocean & Life Science, Dalian University of Technology, P. R. China since September, 2013. Dr Russel is an environmental science and engineering expert with more than 14+ years’ experience and worked with several local and international organizations as well as research institutes. He served as a scientific reviewer, consultant and associates for ADB, WB and IFC funding projects national and internationally through Easen International Ltd. (Shanghai based consulting firm). Dr. Russel has contributed to the research and development sector with his novel research of developing novel dielectric spectroscopic sensor monitoring the environmental soil and water contamination challenges. He also has developed novel biological approaches to remediate the current water pollution challenges. His novelty and creativity in the research field of environmental science is commensurate with his publication in various sci indexed journals. To date he has published more than 50 sci-indexed international journal and international conference proceedings, 3 patents, and 6 Keynote speech. He has also Chair in couple of international conference. Dr Russel coedited and edited a couple of books and a book chapter which were published in prestigious Elsevier journals. Dr. Russel is currently 3 international journal editorial board member and working as reviewer.

• Ewa Szpyrka, PhD, DSc, Associate Professor, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Rzeszów, Poland - Chair
• Idalia Kasprzyk, PhD, DSc, ProfTit, Faculty of Biology and Nature Protection, University of Rzeszów, Poland
• Joana C. Prata, DVM PhD, Auxiliary Professor, Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy and UCIBIO, Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Translational Toxicology Research Laboratory, University Institute of Health Sciences (1H-TOXRUN, IUCS-CESPU), Gandra, Portugal
• Zisis G. Vryzas, BSc, MSc, PhD Associate Professor, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Agriculture, Pesticide Science Laboratory, Thessaloniki, Greece
• M. Russel, BSc, MSc, PhD, Associate Professor, School Of Ocean Science and Technology, Department of Environmental Ecological Engineering, Dalian University of Technology (Panjin campus), Liaoning Province, P. R. China
• Małgorzata Kida, PhD, DSc, Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Engineering and Chemistry, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, Rzeszów University of Technology, Poland
• Małgorzata Kus-Liśkiewicz, PhD, DSc, Associate Professor, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Rzeszów, Poland
• Łukasz Jurczyk, BFishEng, PhD, DSc, Associate Professor, Department of Soil Science, Environmental Chemistry and Hydrology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Environmental Protection and Management, Faculty of Technology and Life Sciences, University of Rzeszów, Poland

• Magdalena Podbielska, Ph.D., University of Rzeszow - Head
• Łukasz Jurczyk, Ph.D., D.Sc., Associate professor, University of Rzeszow
• Magdalena Słowik-Borowiec, Ph.D., D.Sc., Associate professor, University of Rzeszow
• Ewa Szpyrka, Ph.D., D.Sc., Associate professor, University of Rzeszow
• Anna Górka, Ph.D., University of Rzeszow
• Wiktoria Jordan-Stasiło, Ph.D., University of Rzeszow
• Katarzyna Kluska, Ph.D., University of Rzeszow
• Iwona Makuch-Pietraś, Ph.D., University of Rzeszow
• Paulina Książek-Trela, Ph.D., University of Rzeszow
• Julia Brewka, M.Sc., University of Rzeszow
• Jan Cichoński, M.Sc., University of Rzeszow

Sponsorship benefits:

• The conference provides a good opportunity to promote your organization's environmental and social values and invaluable opportunity for you to promote your company to community of scientists.
• Conference will be an opportunity to introduce your name and brand to the experts of the field during the event.
• Allows your representatives to reach key markets and strengthen institutional relationships.
• Provides you with a significant amount of useful information to develop your company.
• Within the framework of the terms and conditions presented to you; your sponsorship will ensure that participation and support are announced in the most effective and widespread manner.

Platinum Pack: 2200 Euro

• Verbal acknowledgement as one of the Main Conference Sponsors at the opening and closing of the meeting.
• Full colour advert on the holding screen in the main auditorium at the start of each session.
• Full page colour advert in the conference program
• Acknowledgement as one of the Main Conference Sponsors on all printed and electronic documents, book and promotional flyers.
• Company logo on conference website with links to company website.
• Pull-up banner (provided by the company) at the registration desk.
• Company logo appearing regularly in all conference screens and e-posters screens.
• Main space for stand exhibition.

Gold Pack: 1100 Euro

• Verbal acknowledgement as the Gold Sponsor at the welcome reception.
• Colour advert on the holding screen in the main auditorium at the start of each session.
• Full page colour advert in the conference program
• Acknowledgement as the Gold Sponsor on printed documents, including conference abstract book and promotional flyers.
• Company logo on conference website with links to company website, and regular appearance in conference screens.
• Includes Stand exhibition place.

Silver Pack: 600 Euro

• Verbal acknowledgement as the Silver Sponsor during the welcome cocktail.
• Colour advert on the holding screen in the main auditorium at the start of each session.
• Half page colour company advertisement in the conference abstract book
• Acknowledgement as a Silver Sponsor on printed documents, including conference abstract book and promotional flyers.
• Company logo on conference website with links to company website.

Payment in cash and traveler's cheques is not accepted.

Bank transfer is the only acceptable method of payment.

Microplastic are now recognized as a ubiquitous and global pollution problem. Its a rapidly growing topic in environmental and food analysis. Therefore, methods of the analysis are very important.

The conference program will include with an engaging workshop designed to offer practical, hands-on training for microplastic analysis utilizing the Pyr-GC-MS.
Programme:

• Sample preparation
• Pyrolysis GC/MS analysis and instrumentation
• Validation of the method
• Data acquisition and quantification method
• Practical advice – do and don'ts in microplastic analysis

The workshop is only for in-person conference participants.

The workshop will not be streamed online.

To register for the workshop please click here

The number of people in a group is limited (12 people). In case of a large number of registrations, we anticipate increasing the number of groups.

The workshops will be held in building A0/wing B4, next to the conference venue (link to Streetview).

Branko Sikoparija, born in 1979, has PhD in Biology and works as principal research fellow at the BioSense Institute University of Novi Sad and Quality manager at Laboratory for palynology - UNSPMF (ISO17025). He is a highly-conscientious, self-motivated and practiced researcher with a strong background in aerobiology, environmental science, ecology, entomology, modelling & forecasting. His current interests are real-time detection and identification of bioaerosols, exploring their diversity using molecular techniques. Branko Sikoparija is an accomplished writer and reviewer for multiple scientific research journals. Serves as Associate Editor for Aerobiologia. He coordinates the RealForAll network of automated bioaerosol monitors on the Pannonian plain. He is also an active member of the EUMETNET AutoPollen programme. As commercially-aware researcher, Branko Sikoparija is skilled in raising research funding and he also acted as the coordinator and principal investigator on a number national and international research projects (Ministry of Science-Serbia,, Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, SNSF-SCOPES, INTERREG-IPA, WUS-CEP&CDP+, EC-HORIZON2020, EC-HORIZON EUROPE). He coordinated the registration of Protected Designations of Origin for “Fruska Gora Lime Tree Honey” and has been Serbian representative in two COST Actions ES0603, FA1203 and substitutes Chair of the CA18226. Dr Sikoparija utilizes excellent communication skills and is very successful in developing networks and collaborations both interdisciplinary and cross disciplinary.

Dr. Donát Magyar (PhD) is a leading aerobiologist at the National Public Health Center, specializing in pollen and fungal dispersal, natural pollen traps and spore identification.
He earned his degree from Szent István University, Institute of Environmental and Landscape Management, and pursued mycology studies at the University of Milan (1996/97). He later joined the Hungarian Aerobiological Network at NPHC and furthered his research on airborne spores at the University of Perugia (2000). From 2001 to 2008, he conducted research on atmospheric fungal diversity at the Plant Protection Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, where he defended his PhD thesis in 2006, introducing new concepts of fungal diversity in the atmosphere.
Dr. Magyar served as Head of the Department of Air Hygiene (2013–2017), coordinator of the Ragweed Pollen Alarm System in the Pannonian region (2014-) and Head of the Hungarian Aerobiological Network (2014–2017), overseeing research and policy development. He has played key roles in SINPHONIE project (2010-2012) and leading position in the EFOP national project (2017-2018), focusing on improving public health services. Additionally, he has represented Hungary in three COST (EU) aerobiology-related projects.
As an expert in indoor air quality and mold contamination, he has conducted investigations in over 1,000 buildings. His contributions to fungal taxonomy include the discovery of 11 new fungal species, 3 new genera, and 1 new family. He authored or coauthored several articles, books and book chapters, including the wold atlas of fungal spores and 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals, with a total of 249 scientific publications. He also conceptualized and developed a method to regulate allergenic tree planting for Government Decree 519/2023 and its adaptation in Austria in the Interreg project PollenCare.
He is a Guest Editor for special issues in Frontiers in Microbiology and Pathogens, an honorary member of the Accademia Trevigiana (Italy), and a frequent invited speaker at international spore identification courses. Awards: Young Aerobiologist Award (International Association for Aerobiology), Pro Renovanda Cultura Hungariae and two Medallions for Public Health (Society of the Hungarian Hygienists). Dr. Magyar continues to be at the forefront of aerobiological research, shaping our understanding of airborne fungi and their impact on public health.

Dr Matt Smith is a Senior Lecturer in Geography at the University of Worcester. He is an environmental scientist with a particular focus on aerobiology, biogeography and phenology. Matt has experience of teaching undergraduate and post-graduate students both in the UK and abroad (e.g., Austria and Poland), and many of the topics Matt teaches are informed by research. Matt has a breadth of knowledge and experience that he draws upon for his teaching practice and delivers subjects ranging from environmental analysis to meteorology and climate change. Matt is an active researcher, and much of his career has been spent examining temporal and spatial variations in airborne allergenic pollen and fungal spores. This has included investigating the impacts of environmental change on the phenology and distribution of allergenic plants, especially in relation to allergy and health. He has been a country representative for two European COST Actions (ES0603 and FA1203) and participated in national and international research projects such as HIALINE funded in the framework of the EU Health Programme. Matt have co-authored around one hundred peer reviewed scientific journal articles, five book chapters, and numerous conference papers (Web of Science H-Index 39). He in the Editor-in-Chief of Aerobiologia, and an Editor for other journals including Grana and the International Journal of Biometeorology. Matt an active member of the European Aerobiology Society and Vice President of the International Association for Aerobiology. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society.

• Idalia Kasprzyk, PhD, DSc, ProfTit, Faculty of Biology and Nature Protection, University of Rzeszow, Poland – Chair
• Donát Magyar, Ph.D., Department of Air Hygiene and Aerobiology, National Public Health Center, Hungary
• Nicolas Visez, Ph.D., Faculté des Sciences et Technologies, Associate Professor at University of Lille, France
• Branko Sikoparija, Ph.D., Senior Researcher at BioSensе Institute; University of Novi Sad Faculty of Sciences, Serbia
• Matthew Smith, Ph.D., University of Worcester, Great Britain
• Łukasz Grewling, Ph.D., DSc, Laboratory of Aeropalynology, Department of Systematic and Environmental Botany, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań, Poland
• Dorota Myszkowska, Ph.D., DSc, Chair of Toxicology and Environmental Diseases
  Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland
• Ewa Szpyrka, Ph.D., DSc, Associate Professor, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Rzeszów, Poland

• Katarzyna Kluska, Ph.D., University of Rzeszow – Head
• Łukasz Jurczyk, Ph.D., D.Sc., Associate professor, University of Rzeszow
• Magdalena Słowik-Borowiec, Ph.D., D.Sc., Associate professor, University of Rzeszow
• Anna Górka, Ph.D., University of Rzeszow
• Wiktoria Jordan-Stasiło, Ph.D., University of Rzeszow
• Iwona Makuch-Pietraś, Ph.D., University of Rzeszow
• Paulina Książek-Trela, Ph.D., University of Rzeszow
• Magdalena Podbielska, Ph.D., University of Rzeszow
• Mateusz Rybak, Ph.D., University of Rzeszow
• Julia Brewka, M.Sc., University of Rzeszow
• Jan Cichoński, M.Sc., University of Rzeszow
• Jagoda Dampc, M.Sc., University of Rzeszow
• Dominika Dubel, M.Sc., University of Rzeszow

University of Rzeszow,

Institute of Biotechnology,

St. Pigonia 1, 35-310 Rzeszow, Poland

Magdalena Podbielska, Ph.D.

Paulina Książek-Trela, Ph.D.          

Katarzyna Kluska, Ph.D.    

eec2025@ur.edu.pl

http://www.ur.edu.pl/eec2025

AQ Conference program (.pdf)