Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hynek Roubík (Lead WP5 & WP6): Associate Professor Ing. Hynek Roubík, Ph.D. - Biogas Research Team Group leader (Czech University of Life Sciences Prague).

His motto is “Fearless minds, endless potential.” A powerful quote under which the BRT operates.

He is the founder of the Biogas Research Team (BRT) and its current Group leader (PI). He deals not only with aspects related to biogas but also with waste management issues in general. Assoc. Prof. Hynek Roubík participated in numerous research and development projects throughout the world as project leader or expert (i.e. Czechia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and others). He does research, especially in Waste Management, Environmental and Ecological Engineering and is an editorial board member of several journals. He is the author of over 100 peer-reviewed (indexed) research papers. He is also an editor or associate editor for several scientific journals. He worked as an expert on demand for several organizations, such as the UNDP and the European Commission. He is a member of the Research, Development and Innovation Council (R&D&I Council) of Czechia, a professional consultancy body of the Government of Czechia in research, experimental development and innovation. In addition, he is the second youngest member of the Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Bioeconomy platform of Czechia and was appointed as one of the youngest associate professors in Czechia.

doc. Ing. Michal Kuráž, Ph.D., Michal from CZU is an experienced software engineer. For over 10 years, he has worked on the development of an open-source FEM library for solving nonlinear coupled convection-diffusion-reaction equations. He is familiar with the modern syntax of Fortran programming language, namely the standards 2003 and 2008 (object-oriented programming and multi-thread applications), and with C++ language. He is familiar with the GNU Bash scripting language. He is experienced with the development of applications with parallel execution on systems with unshared memory using Fortran Coarrays and MPI and with the standard OpenMP on systems with shared memory. He is experienced with GNU/Linux-based operating systems on an advanced (administrator) level.

Expertise: cloud computing, Code development, Fortran and C++

Ing. et Ing. Eduardo Duque-Dussán, MBA, Ph.D., Researcher. Eduardo is a graduate of the (CZU), where he obtained a Ph.D. in sustainable technologies, he also obtained a master’s degree in chemical engineering at (CVUT). He also holds a mechanical engineering diploma from the UAM (Colombia). Eduardo, as a seasoned mechanical engineer, specializes in designing sustainable machinery for coffee postharvest processes. He also focuses on managing coffee by-products and waste. As a BRT Scientific Researcher, he contributes international experience to enhance the team's initiatives, emphasizing collaborative and eco-friendly engineering solutions. Eduardo's dedication to sustainability makes him a key player in shaping positive practices in the coffee industry.

Expertise: Computational Fluid Dynamics, Drying, Mechanical Design, Momentum-heat-mass transfer, thermodynamics, Material Science

Ing. Jan Staš (WP 5&6), Webmaster. Jan is a graduate of FTA, CZU, with a master’s and a bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics. He is a Ph.D. candidate in Tropical Agrobiology and Bioresources Management. He has long-term experience working on development projects all around the globe, with a special focus on Zambia, Ethiopia, and Cambodia. As a scientist, he focuses on multidisciplinary approaches to connect several fields. His role in the team is mostly related to project management, website development, technical support, and others.

Expertise: Food security and safety, renewable energy, food processing, aquaculture, integrated farming systems.

Ing. Marek Jelínek, Marek is a graduate of FTA, CZU, with a master’s and a bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics. He is a Ph.D. candidate in Sustainable Rural Development. He has extensive experience in impact assessment, waste management, and biogas research. He has demonstrated proficiency in preparing scientific texts, crafting scientific posters, and delivering presentations at conferences, showcasing his ability to communicate complex research findings to diverse audiences effectively. Furthermore, Marek has gained valuable experience through his work in Ukraine, where he contributed to multidisciplinary scientific initiatives aimed at addressing environmental challenges.

Expertise: waste management, sustainable technologies, renewable energy, technological assessments

Ing. et Mgr. Adam Hruška (WP6), researcher. Adam is a graduate with a master’s degree in International security studies at (UK) and Plant production at the (CZU). As a machine learning and computer vision specialist, his research focuses on the implementation of artificial intelligence into agriculture, especially in terms of weed detection and management. With his second specialisation in food security, he conducts research regarding crisis-induced food insecurities and population resilience. He is currently a member of the BRT as a researcher. In this position, he helps the team expand towards new scientific endeavours, including cooperation with public authorities and policymakers.

Expertise: Machine learning, Food security, Computer vision

Ing. Stacy Hammond Ph.D., (Communication and Dissemination Manager WP6). Stacy brings forth her knowledge and skills in science communication and helps to develop communication, dissemination, and exploitation strategies to showcase the activities and achievements of the COMUNIDAD project. She obtained a Ph.D. in tropical agrobiology and bioresource management and a master's in tropical crop management and ecology. She also holds a BSc in Agroforestry obtained at the URACCAN university (Nicaragua). As a plant biotechnologies specialist, her research entails developing new in vitro techniques that ensure the safe storage of endangered crops.

Expertise: In vitro Biotechnologies, plant conservation, science communication

BSc. Masha Gulak (Communication and Dissemination Officer WP6). Masha incorporates her skills and understanding of science communication and social media to develop dissemination strategies to highlight the work of BRT and additional projects. She holds a BSc in Wildlife Biology obtained from California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt and is completing her Masters in Nature Conservation from the Czech University of Life Sciences (CZU) studying wolf ecology in the Czech Republic. As a wildlife specialist, her research focuses on carnivore ecology, conservation technology, and incorporating interdisciplinary research to understand human-wildlife interactions.

Expertise: science communication, social media, wildlife ecology, conservation technology

RNDr. Zuzana Boukalová has over 35 years of experience in applied research in water resources engineering, hydrogeology, flood risk management, groundwater vulnerability, and pollution control. She was the supervising expert of the Czech Ministry of Environment around old ecological loads and decontamination activities, as well as the expert of the Czech Ministry of Agriculture on the River Basin Management Plans and implementation of the FP6 FLOODsite Integrated Project results in the Czech Republic. Years 2005 – 2009: The Member of the Sounding Board of Commissioner Janez Potocnik for FP7 simplification, with a focus on Latin America. From 2012 – to 2017, she worked as an independent consultant for the project ALCUE NET for the Argentine MINCyT; this project, co-financed by the EC under the International Cooperation Action in FP7, was focused on creating a bi-regional platform for the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean cooperation in water management and economy. Zuzana successfully coordinated other international projects, including 8 EUREKA projects (eGMS, GEMSTONE, STORAGE, ALICE, STAMFORD, FORMTES, BIORESET, AgriClima), three projects for EEA Grants (AQUARIUS, LaPlant, SMART WATER). She has also collaborated on many research projects under EU Framework Programme, for example FP5: TRANSCAT, IRON CURTAIN, IMPACT; FP6: BRAHMATWINN, ARMONIA, FloodSite; FP7: FLOODsite, ENSOCIO-LAC, GENESIS; H2020: FATIMA, FREEWAT, EULAC Focus and HE: DALIA, EcoAdvance. Within the COMUNIDAD project, she organises collaborations between Europe and Latin America with a main focus on the target countries Chile and Colombia.