Dunca Emilia

Emilia Dunca is an Associate Professor at the University of Petroșani, holding a PhD and serving as Department Manager in the Department of Environmental Engineering and Geology within the Faculty of Mining. Her work focuses on environmental remediation, mining waste management, and sustainable land use in post-industrial regions like the Jiu Valley. She has conducted extensive research on phytoremediation strategies for heavy metal-contaminated soils, soil formation processes on mining waste dumps, and energy poverty in Romania. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates geoecology, environmental engineering, and policy analysis to address complex environmental challenges.

Her educational background includes advanced training in pedology, ecological rehabilitation, and geoenvironmental systems. Notable projects include the Living Lab initiative for soil health restoration, risk assessments for mine tailings, and European-funded studies on coal transition scenarios for the Jiu Valley microregion. She has contributed to curriculum development in environmental engineering through lab manuals and e-learning initiatives.

Key research themes include: heavy metal mobility and toxicity in mine tailings, biochar applications for degraded soils, ecological succession on mining waste sites, and socio-economic dimensions of energy poverty. Her work often involves experimental methodologies (e.g., Pearson correlation modeling) and collaboration with local communities for sustainable development solutions.