Ungureanu Laurenția

About

Laurenția Ungureanu, born on March 14, 1965, is an eminent researcher in the fields of hydrobiology, ecology, and environmental protection, with a career of over 35 years dedicated to science. A habilitated doctor in biological sciences (specialty Ecology, 2011) and a research professor, she graduated from Moldova State University in 1989, subsequently obtaining her doctorate in hydrobiology (1995-1998) and the title of postdoctoral habilitated doctor (2003-2005). Author of over 250 scientific works, five monographs, articles, and patents, she developed an innovative phytoplankton monitoring system, awarded a silver medal at the International Exhibition of Women Inventors in Seoul, significantly contributing to water quality assessment and biodiversity conservation in aquatic ecosystems. She has held remarkable leadership positions, serving as director of the Institute of Zoology of the State University of Moldova since 2019, after serving as deputy director for scientific activity (2006-2018) and chief scientific researcher (since 2012) at the Institute of Zoology of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova. A corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova since 2023 (Section of Life Sciences), she coordinates the Laboratory of Hydrobiology and Ecotoxicology, focusing on the study of the Dniester and Prut rivers through field expeditions from Naslavcea to Palanca. She is also a scientific advisor to the National Council for Accreditation and Attestation (since 2011), scientific secretary of the Doctoral School in Biological Sciences at "Dimitrie Cantemir" University (2014-2018), and a professor at USM, involved in multiple faculties and scientific journals. The passion for biology was cultivated since her studies at the State University of Moldova, encouraged by professors and colleagues, leading to a constant dedication to field and laboratory research. In interviews, she emphasizes the challenges of balancing an intense scientific career with personal life, highlighting the importance of family and perseverance in the face of obstacles in Moldovan research. Her interdisciplinary work promotes the monitoring of aquatic ecosystems affected by anthropogenic factors, contributing to environmental protection policies in the Republic of Moldova.