Meet the team

Polona holds a PhD in biology and is an ecologist, as well as the CEO of the Institute REVIVO, where she is in charge of the research and project development and supervises the implementation of professional activities. She is the coordinator of the LIFE2RIVERS project and leads the activities of the Institute REVIVO within the project, which is why she closely follows and actively engages in all project activities. She is also responsible for the content development of a board game. In addition to her managerial duties, she especially enjoys fieldwork, discussions with excursion participants, and designing various new ways of fostering interdisciplinary and inclusive collaboration with stakeholders.

Nataša is a biologist with a PhD in environmental sciences, working at the National Institute of Biology (NIB) as the head of the EKOS Department and as a researcher in freshwater biodiversity and ecology. Within the LIFE2RIVERS project, she serves as the project lead on behalf of NIB, a specialist in river ecosystems, and a key communicator with various stakeholder groups. She is actively involved in all work packages of the project.

Urška holds a PhD in biology and works at the BirdLife Slovenia (DOPPS) as a conservation ornithologist and researcher. Her work includes project management, bird monitoring and ecology research, preparing expert studies, developing the ornithological database, and coordinating the Nature Conservation Working Group within the “Plan B za Slovenijo” NGO network. In the LIFE2RIVERS project, she coordinates DOPPS activities, leads the preparation of the Pšata River restoration plan, facilitates the transfer of best practices in co-creative stewardship to the Pesnica catchment, and oversees the implementation of Work Package 5 – Communication for impact.

Andrej is a lecturer in the Political Science program at the Faculty of Social Sciences (FDV) and teaches courses in several doctoral programs at the University of Ljubljana. His research focuses on critical political ecology, deliberative democracy, the democratic use of ICT in the political sphere, and risk technologies. He is also the director of the Institute for Ecology. Within the LIFE2RIVERS project, he leads the activities of the Institute for Ecology and coordinates Work Package 4 – Transformative System Innovation. He contributes to various project activities as an expert in political science.

Aljoša holds a Master’s degree in law and works at PIC as the head of the Environmental Department and as an environmental lawyer. His work focuses on raising awareness and empowering the public regarding environmental procedures and decisions through effective participation, developing better environmental legislation, and carrying out legal analyses of the environmental protection system. In the LIFE2RIVERS project, he coordinates PIC’s activities, prepares legal analyses, and contributes to efforts to establish new forms of communication and collaboration among experts, as well as to the renewal of the environmental assessment system.

Eva holds a Master’s degree in Ecology and Biodiversity and works with the Institute REVIVO on projects aimed at improving the state of rivers and aquatic wildlife. Within the LIFE2RIVERS project, she designs experiential educational workshops called EcoAdventures, helps organize the student camp, and contributes to establishing co-creative river stewardship while exploring opportunities for nature-based solutions on the Pšata and Pesnica rivers.

Damjan is a social pedagogue with a lifelong connection to nature. He has been collaborating with the Institute REVIVO since 2019, where he is responsible for awareness-raising content and stakeholder communication. As a social pedagogue, he also contributes to the development of educational materials and the organization of workshops. Within the LIFE2RIVERS project, he serves as the editor-in-chief of the magazine “Življenje rekam”, takes part in stakeholder mapping, works in the public relations team, and helps deliver the workshops of the EcoAdventures educational program.

Leja has twenty years of experience working in the media and is part of the communications team at the REVIVO Institute. She manages public relations, oversees the website and social media, and supports stakeholder communication. In the LIFE2RIVERS project, she is a member of the communications team and contributes to activities aimed at empowering and raising awareness among the public.

Ana holds a university degree in Economics and works at the Institute REVIVO as the Head of Administration. Her main responsibilities include overseeing the administrative and financial management of the institute and its projects, preparing and monitoring budgets, coordinating reporting, and ensuring compliance in operations. Within the LIFE2RIVERS project, she serves as the Financial Director, coordinating administrative and financial tasks, managing the project’s financial execution on behalf of REVIVO, and overseeing the effective implementation of financial and administrative processes as a whole.

Ema holds a Master’s degree in Biology and works as an ecologist at the REVIVO Institute. She contributes to fieldwork and population monitoring, data analysis and processing, and the preparation of technical reports. In the LIFE2RIVERS project, she leads the working group for the development of the EcoAdventures educational program and implements the program in collaboration with external partners. She also helps organize the summer student camp.

Jernej holds a degree in Biology and works as an ecologist at the Institute REVIVO. He is responsible for leading and coordinating fieldwork, ensuring the professional and successful execution of surveys, monitoring, and telemetry studies of fish. He also contributes to the preparation of technical reports and the analysis and processing of data. Within the LIFE2RIVERS project, he leads and coordinates the ecological research of the Pšata River and its tributaries.

Tina holds a PhD in Biological and Biotechnical Sciences and works as a researcher at the National Institute of Biology (NIB), where she also participates in tasks related to national and other water monitoring programs. She is an expert in algae and cyanobacteria and in citizen science related to water, and is also an excellent science communicator. In the LIFE2RIVERS project, she contributes primarily with her expertise on river phytobenthic communities and her experience in communicating with stakeholders and the public.

Davorin holds a PhD in Biological Sciences and works as a researcher at the National Institute of Biology (NIB), focusing on ecology, with birds as his main research subject. He is an excellent science communicator and dedicates much of his time to popularizing ecology and biodiversity. In the LIFE2RIVERS project, he contributes to activities promoting the importance of river conservation and their restoration to a natural state.

Al holds a PhD in Biological Sciences and works as a researcher at the National Institute of Biology (NIB), focusing on ecology, particularly ornithology (birds) and entomology (insects). Most of his research is dedicated to beetles, but he also studies freshwater crayfish and the issue of invasive species. His special research focus is on interspecies interactions and the ecosystem roles of species. In the LIFE2RIVERS project, he contributes as an ecology expert and participates in organizing the International congress “Life to Rivers.”

Špela holds a degree in Biology and works as a research associate at the National Institute of Biology (NIB), participating in studies on beetle ecology. Her main interest is in the study of aquatic beetles. In the LIFE2RIVERS project, she is part of the communications team, supporting communication activities and contributing to social media posts.

Annasibila holds a degree in Biology and works as a research associate at the National Institute of Biology (NIB). She is an expert in aquatic invertebrates, particularly in morphological identification. She participates in various water-related projects, as well as in educational and communication activities. In the LIFE2RIVERS project, she contributes to the development of the EcoAdventure educational program, social media posts, the organization of the summer student camp and the International congress “Life to Rivers”, and ecological research on the Pšata River.

Andreja holds a Master’s degree in Business and Economics and works in the project office of the EKOS Department at the National Institute of Biology (NIB). Her responsibilities include supporting project management, organizing departmental work, and managing the quality system. In the LIFE2RIVERS project, she provides administrative and financial support and assists in the implementation of events and activities led by NIB.

Sandra holds a university degree in Economics and has dedicated her career to managing research projects, both national and international. She works in the project office of the EKOS Department at the National Institute of Biology (NIB). In the LIFE2RIVERS project, she provides administrative and financial support, monitors budget spending, and is responsible for preparing financial reports.

Urša holds a Master’s degree in Biology and Ecology with a focus on conservation and works at the organization as the Education Coordinator. Her responsibilities include public relations, managing the website and social media, and contributing to the preparation, implementation, and coordination of projects. In the LIFE2RIVERS project, she leads the communications team and coordinates communication activities.

Tadeja holds a degree in Organization and works at the DOPPS as a Project Administrator. She has many years of experience in administrative and financial reporting for international projects under various programs, especially Interreg, the European Cohesion Fund, and the European Regional Development Fund. In the LIFE2RIVERS project, she also works as a Project Administrator.

Barbara holds a university degree in Law and works as an external collaborator with the Institute for Ecology (IE). Her responsibilities primarily include providing legal support for the LIFE2RIVERS project and assisting with the daily operations of the IE.

Maja holds a Master’s degree in Political Science and works as a researcher at the Institute for Ecology (IE), focusing on political ecology. In addition to her research, she participates in the institute’s educational and communication activities. Within the LIFE2RIVERS project, she is involved in establishing new forms of communication and collaboration among experts. She is also active in the communications team, co-develops the EcoAdventures educational program, and is a member of the group preparing the Pšata River restoration plan.

Luka holds a PhD in Political Science and works as a research fellow and project manager. His research focuses on political ecology, environmental policies, justice issues, political theory, and participation. In the LIFE2RIVERS project, he focuses on studying and engaging diverse social actors and on developing participatory models for water management and just environmental transitions.

Senka holds a university degree in Law and a Master’s in Social Anthropology and works as an environmental lawyer at PIC. For the past 20 years, she has focused on strengthening inclusive environmental and nature protection and sustainable spatial planning at the systemic level. She particularly specializes in advocacy related to biodiversity and the climate crisis. Within the LIFE2RIVERS project, she contributes as an expert in the project team and prepares legal analyses of the status and regulatory frameworks in the Pšata River basin.

Katja holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and works at PIC to ensure that the content her colleagues produce reaches the public through social media, the website, and other channels. She is a member of the LIFE2RIVERS communications team, responsible for writing content, managing social media, and handling all related tasks.