Piotr Cofałka
Acting Leading Expert - Climate neutral and smart cities
+48 32 254 60 31 ext. 154,
He graduated from the Silesian University of Technology - Faculty of Automatic Control, Electronics and Computer Science. He gained his experience at the Institute of Theoretical and Applied Informatics at the Polish Academy of Sciences, Hydrobudowa Śląsk S.A. and Hydrobudowa Polska S.A. He is an experienced team manager, computer programmer and system developer with a wide knowledge of environmental issues (mainly water and air protection), technologies and modelling. Since 1997 he has been working for IETU focusing on environmental IT projects aimed at the development of dedicated systems and databases as well as on gathering and processing of monitoring data, visualisation of modelling data and Geographical Information Systems (GIS). He was also involved in many national and international R&D projects (FP5, FP7, Norway Grants, Horizon 2020) and coordinated infrastructure projects under the Innovative Economy Programme (PO IG).
Dr. Janusz Krupanek
Leading Expert - Strategic analyses, environmental policies, life cycle analyses and energy transition
+48 32 254 60 31 ext. 284,
PhD in Economics. He has many years of experience in environmental policy and management. He carries out research and scientific studies in this field as well as renders services to various economic entities and public institutions. He has been involved in many international projects co-financed by the European Union.
Dr. Jacek Krzyżak
Leading Expert – Soil remediation, nature-based solutions and urban agriculture
+48 32 254 60 31 ext. 231,
Doctor of technical sciences in the discipline of environmental engineering. Associated with IETU since 2002. His field of interest is phytoremediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals. Currently, he is involved in research on the use of marginal soils, including contaminated soils, for cultivation of plants for industrial purposes and as a renewable energy source. Implementer of various international and national research projects in the area of soil management in post-industrial areas. From 2022, he leads work in the areas of Soil remediation, nature-based solutions and urban agriculture.
He is a secretary of IETU Scientific Board. Member of Regional Council for Nature Conservation in the Silesian Voivodship. Since 2023, he has participated in the work of the Polish Committee for Standardisation, Technical Committee (TC) No. 191 on Soil Chemistry.
Marek Matejczyk
Leading Expert - Resources and waste management
+48 32 254 60 31 ext. 235,
Expert in the field of waste management and consultant in environmental protection, with more than thirty years of experience. Expert in environmental impact assessments and forecasts of the effects of changes in spatial development plans, auditor of the Polish Centre for Accreditation. For many years head of a research team conducting studies on waste, waste management, recovery and disposal technologies, as well as on fuels from waste and biological waste treatment products.
He performed environmental audits, EIA reports, prepared documentations connected with integrated permits, environmental permits and licenses as well as conducted consultations for service, industrial and administration sectors.
Author and co-author of several hundred studies and expert opinions as well as publications and patents.
Prof. Grażyna Płaza
Leading Expert - Environmental biotechnologies
+48 32 254 60 31 ext. 246,
Professor of technical sciences in the field of technical microbiology. Employed at the Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas in Katowice as a leading expert in environmental microbiology and at the Silesian University of Technology as a member of academic staff. Key research areas: activity and properties of microorganisms, including biodegradation of chemical compounds, identification, characterisation and properties of biosurfactants produced by microorganisms, biological synthesis of nanoparticles, harmful microbial agents in the workplace. Author of many scientific articles and monographs in the field of biotechnology and environmental microbiology (e.g. Biosurfactants: Green Surfactants).
Izabela Ratman-Kłosińska
Leading Expert - Environmental Technologies Verification
+48 32 254 60 31 ext. 243, 269,
Expert in environmental technology verification (ETV). She has been involved in the development and implementation of the ETV Programme on a national, EU and global level since 2009. She is trained in ISO 17020 and is a certified auditor of ISO 17025:2005. Member of the Environmental Technical Committee of the Polish Centre for Accreditation and a member of the Working Group ISO TC 207/SC4/WG5. Co-author of the technical standard ISO 14034 Environmental Management - Environmental Technology Verification. Member of the EU ETV Steering Group at the European Commission. External expert of the Ministry of Environment on ETV.
Dr. Katarzyna Samborska-Goik
Leading Expert - Diagnosing the condition of the environment and adaptation to climate change
+48 32 254 60 31 ext. 139,
Researcher and Doctor of Earth Sciences (University of Silesia, Faculty of Earth Sciences, 2009), Master of Hydrogeology (2004). Employed at the Institute of Ecology of Industrial Areas in Katowice since 2009. Participation in national and European projects: 5th Framework Programme; COSTAR project; stay at Newcastle University; ICP Waters study of the acidification of Tatra lakes (2009 and 2012); Sustainable Soil Upgrading by Developing Cost-effective Biogeochemical Remediation Approaches (UPSOIL) project (7th Framework Programme); Preparing for Changes project (7th Framework Programme); project manager for the assessment of the impact of hazardous waste on the soil and water environment at the former insulation materials company Izolacja in Ogrodzieniec; Goodwater project (7th Framework Programme); stay at the Helmholtz Centre Munich Institute of Groundwater Ecology (February–July 2012); Polish–Norwegian CRIS project; Integrated Strategy for Sustainable Water Management in the Catchment Area (ISS EWATUS) project (7th Framework Programme); ICT for Waters project; City with Climate project. Experienced in hydrogeochemical and hydrogeological modelling and sewerage and water supply network modelling. Proficient in GIS tools and Python programming.
Dr. Joachim Bronder
Geographic Information Systems
+48 32 254 60 31 ext. 117,
PhD in technical sciences, expert in application of geographic information systems in environmental management. His key research field is ground and soil contamination, with special focus on brownfields and degraded areas. He is a member of the Team for Degraded Areas at the Polish Ministry of the Environment. In his research and consulting activity he successfully applies tools of statistical, geostatistical and multi-criteria analysis. He has developed a series of numerical environmental models which are used, e.g. in modelling of air pollutant dispersion or in hydrogeological, hydrological (SWAT) and hydraulic modelling.
Jacek Długosz
Information technology systems for environmental management
+48 32 254 60 31 ext. 149,
Designer, developer and integrator of computer systems based on relational databases. Programmer in C# and SQL. He has experience in collecting, processing, analysing and sharing of spatial data. Currently specialising in hybrid ICT solutions based on .NET, SQL Server, ArcGIS and computing programmes operating on Linux system. He participated in the development of a computing cluster Sybilla. For over 15 years he has been engaged in research work on the development and implementation of ICT and GIS solutions in the field of environmental protection and management. He likes challenges and work in interdisciplinary teams.
Wanda Jarosz
Information and public relations, IETU spokeswoman
+48 32 254 60 31 ext. 136,
She specialises in public communication in the field of environmental protection, with special focus on risk communication. She has experience in identifying, assessing and solving environmental problems. Trainer in public communication and Public Outreach courses conducted in Poland by the US EPA. Responsible for information and promotion activities in EU-funded research and implementation projects. As a spokesman of IETU she acts in the field of science, public relations and journalism. She is also involved in educational and dissemination activities.
Oktawian Pastucha
Head of Central Laboratory
+48 32 254 60 31 ext. 211,
