Management Team
Virgil Păunescu, PhD
Project Manager
Primary MD in Laboratory Medicine, and Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Clinical County Emergency Hospital “Pius Brinzeu” Timisoara - OncoGen University Professor, d“Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Head of Department III - Functional Sciences
Coordinator of the OncoGen Center, with over 30 years of experience in research and project management, plans and supervises the research activity within the center. Expertise in oncology research and in the implementation of research projects in cancer, regenerative medicine, immunotherapies and precision diagnostics in cancer and non-communicable diseases.
Carmen Pitic, MA
Administrative & Communication
Coordinator, Linguistics & Project Management, Clinical County Emergency Hospital “Pius Brinzeu” Timisoara - OncoGen
Expertise in implementing national and EU-funded projects, with managerial tasks and coordination of communication activities, acquired in projects funded through FP6, FP7, Horizon Europe, Interreg Romania – Serbia, and Interreg Romania – Hungary, as well as in national programmes such as POSCCE, POSDRU, POC, or PNRR.
Cristiana Marchiș
Financial Coordinator
Economist, Clinical County Emergency Hospital “Pius Brinzeu” Timisoara
Expertise in implementing projects with national and EU funding, with tasks of coordinating financial activities, accumulated in projects funded through the Horizon Europe, Interreg Romania – Serbia and Interreg Romania – Hungary programs, as well as in national programs such as POSCCE, POSDRU and POC.
Milena Maksimović
Financial Assistant
Project Manager and Financial Expert at RDA Banat, General Hospital Zrenjanin
Milena Maksimović has extensive EU projectexperience. In CROSSCARE, she manages finance, reporting, and compliance, ensuringsmooth coordination and effective cross-border projectimplementation.
Alina Ciobanu
Public procurement expert
Economist, Clinical County Emergency Hospital “Pius Brinzeu” Timisoara
Economic and banking skills with experience in both the private and public sectors. As a public procurement officer within SCJUPBT, she is responsible for planning, initiating and finalizing public procurement procedures, concluding and monitoring contracts for the supply of products, services and works.
Lela Ružić
Technical Assistant
General Hospital Zrenjanin
Economist and EU project specialist with strong experience in healthcare and regional development. In CROSSCARE, she supports project cycle management, communication, and visibility, ensuring efficient cooperation and sustainable project results.
Medical Team
Clinical County Emergency Hospital “Pius Brinzeu” Timisoara – OncoGen
Florina Bojin, PhD
Medical Team Coordinator
Primary MD in Laboratory Medicine, Clinical County Emergency Hospital “Pius Brinzeu” Timisoara - OncoGen Associate Professor, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Department III - Functional Sciences, Immunology and Allergology, Biology
Scientific interests
Precision diagnostic in cancer - identification of genetic mutation using next generation sequencing (NGS); Immunotherapies - generation of NK cells with chimeric antigen receptors (CAR), which can be used in anti-tumor immunotherapies; Regenerative medicine - stem cells and exosomes and their use in medical applications.
Iustina-Mirabela Cristea, PhD
Medical laboratory expert
Medical biologist Clinical Immunology, Clinical County Emergency Hospital “Pius Brinzeu” Timisoara - OncoGen
Scientific interests
Expertise in cell cultures (tumor cells and microenvironment, stem cells) molecular biology, toxicology, immunocy to chemistry, microscopy. Experience in national and international research projects in such fields as cancer diagnostic and treatment.
Lauriana-Eunice Zbîrcea, PhD
Medical laboratory expert
Medical biochemist, Clinical County Emergency Hospital “Pius Brinzeu” Timisoara - OncoGen
Scientific interests
Evaluation of the immune response, diagnosis and development of new immunotherapies in cancer, through participation in the ROSECAN and REAKT research projects. Evaluation of the immune response, diagnosis and development of new immunotherapies in allergic diseases. Investigation of the effects of climate change on non-communicable diseases.
Manuela Grijincu, PhD
Medical laboratory expert
Medical biologist, Clinical County Emergency Hospital “Pius Brinzeu” Timisoara - OncoGen
Scientific interests
Production of recombinant allergens, their immunological characterization and identification of therapeutic targets for cancer treatment, which were developed through participation in the INSPIRED, ROSECAN and REAKT projects. Investigation of the effects of climate change on non-communicable diseases.
Maria-Roxana Buzan, PhD
Medical laboratory expert
Medical biologist, Clinical County Emergency Hospital “Pius Brinzeu” Timisoara - OncoGen
Scientific interests
Expertise in molecular allergology: improving allergy diagnostic methods and allergen-specific immunotherapy. Experience in oncology projects, focused on precision diagnosis and modern therapeutic approaches. Investigation of the effects of climate change on non-communicable diseases.
Claudia Maria Stanciu
Medical laboratory expert
Medical biochemist, Clinical County Emergency Hospital “Pius Brinzeu” Timisoara - OncoGen
Scientific interests
Expertise in Medical Biochemistry and Clinical Immunology, cell cultures, processing of human biological samples for New Generation Sequencing, flowcytometry and working protocols and procedures.
Daniela-Vasilica Șerban, PhD student
Medical expert
Resident physician Dermatology, Clinical City Emergency Hospital Timisoara
Scientific interests
Molecular mechanisms of malignant cell transformation, mechanisms of tumor progression, development of personalized therapies in cancer, identification of new therapeutic targets. As a dermatologist, I focused my work on melanoma therapy and understanding the molecular biology of this type of cancer.
Tudor-Alexandru Popoiu, PhD student
Medical expert
Resident physicianGeneral Surgery, Clinical County Emergency Hospital “Pius Brinzeu” Timisoara Assistant Professor,“Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Informatics & Medical Biostatistics Department
Scientific interests
Translational oncology studies; development of an Organ-on-a-Chip platform for various neoplasms.
Marieta-Elena Furdui, PhD student
Medical laboratory expert
Medical physicist, Clinical County Emergency Hospital “Pius Brinzeu” Timisoara - OncoGen
Scientific interests
Study of cell activity at great depth and precision, through electron microscopy and confocal electron microscopy, at all stages of development, proliferation and cell death, of both normal cells and cancer cell lines. Previously, I participated in the creation and comparison of PET/CT imaging results of different types of cancer.
Alina Georgiana Simina, PhD student
Medical laboratory expert
Biotechnology engineer, Clinical County Emergency Hospital “Pius Brinzeu” Timisoara - OncoGen
Scientific interests
Microbiology: isolation, cultivation and identification of microorganisms of medical and industrial interest; screening of fungi with biocontrol activity. Plant/human cell cultures. Skilled in fungal biocontrol agents screening, cell culture, PCR, electrophoresis, and sequencing.
General Hospital „Dorde Joanović” Zrenjanin
Dr. Vanja Kunkin
Project Assisstant
Acting Director of General Hospital Zrenjanin, surgeon
Committed to modernizing healthcare services Dr. Kunkin provides strategic leadership in CROSSCARE, ensures institutional support, and strengthens cooperation with Romanian partners to improve oncology care. He is also coordinating the medical activities of the CROSSCARE team in Zrenjanin.
Dr. Rastislav Filko
Medical team member
General Surgery Specialist and Head of Emergency at General Hospital Zrenjanin
In CROSSCARE, Dr. Rastislav Filko contributes expertise in surgical protocols and emergency care, supporting the introduction of innovative, cross-border solutions in oncology treatment.
Dr. Marija Đujić
Medical team member
General Surgeon at General Hospital Zrenjanin
Dr. Marija Đujić is leading thyroid surgery development and is active in oncology projects. Within CROSSCARE, she enhances diagnostic and surgical procedures, fostering cross-border collaboration in cancer management.
