Address: Cicio Pop Street, no.2, Timişoara, Romania
Phone: 0727746440
E-mail: baditoiu.luminita@umft.ro
Head of the Academic Department
Members
📲 Phone: 0744206030
📧 E-mail: epidemio@umft.ro
📃 Curriculum vitae
📲 Phone: –
📧 E-mail: anghel.mariana@umft.ro
📃 Curriculum vitae
The University Department of Epidemiology was established in 1947 and from then until 1952, it was led by Associate Professor Dr David Petru, who also wrote the first course for students. During 1952-1957, the Department of Epidemiology merged with the Clinic Department of Infectious Diseases under the leadership of Professor Dr Vladimir Buşilă. In 1957, Epidemiology became a separate department again and was led by Dr Oliver Pop for 30 years (initially a Lecturer, then an Associate Professor, and then finally a full Professor. Prof. Dr Eufimia Anghelescu, MD, has been active in the department since 1960 and was head of the department from 1987 to 1992.
In 1990, Dr Emilian Damian Popovici won the competition for the position of Assistant Professor and thus started his medical and teaching career. He went on to become a primary epidemiologist, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Senior Lecturer (between 1995-2003), Associate Professor and Residency coordinator (until May 2021), as well as Head of Epidemiology Department, for 26 years (from 1995 until 2021).
Over time, a number of teachers and researchers have worked in the Epidemiology Department: Dr Valeriu Gorcea, Dr Mihai Vălceanu, Dr Emil Novac and specialist biologist Adela Stroie, who, together with the above-mentioned heads of department, contributed to the development of courses, over 500 scientific papers, 3 inventions, and a representative number of teaching and monographic books.
In 1993, Dr Sorina Maria Denisa Laitin held the position of Assistant Professor, then became the primary epidemiologist, infectious disease specialist, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Senior Lecturer (2004–2025), and Associate Professor – from September 2025 to present.
In 2003, Dr Luminiţa Mirela Bădiţoiu held the position of Assistant Professor following an academic competition. In 2019, she became a Senior Lecturer and, in 2021 an Associate Professor, currently being a primary epidemiologist, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Head of Department and residency coordinator in the specialty of Epidemiology.
The team has grown by including:
– In 2007, Dr. Mariana Anghel, Doctor of Chemistry, as principal chemist and auxiliary teaching staff;
– In 2018, Dr. Radu Pavel, specialist epidemiologist, Doctor of Medical Sciences, permanent assistant professor;
– In 2021, Dr. Ionuț Dragoș Căpraru, primary epidemiologist, Doctor of Medical Sciences, permanent assistant professor;
– In the period 2021–2024, Dr. Irina-Maria Ștefan, specialist epidemiologist, as fixed-term assistant professor and PhD student at UMFVBT;
– Since 2025, Dr. Alexandra Ioana Sîrmon, specialist epidemiologist, permanent assistant professor, PhD student at the “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Timișoara, in co-supervision with the Polytechnic University of Timișoara.
Department members teach courses and practical work in Epidemiology for the following study programs: Medicine, General Nursing, Dietetics and Nutrition College, Balneophysiokinetotherapy College, Dental Medicine, Dental Technology and Prophylactic Dental Assistance.
The teaching staff are also involved in supervising thesis projects, organizing and conducting postgraduate courses, training programs for obtaining complementary study certifications [in Vaccinology, Epidemiological Management of healthcare-associated infections, competencies in surveillance, prevention, and limitation of healthcare-associated infections for medical assistants in HAI Prevention Services], as well as in training and guiding medical residents.
– Laitin Sorina. “Epidemiological Investigation – Guide for Students.” Mirton, Timișoara 2003, ISBN 973-661-235-X
– Luminița Mirela Bădițoiu. “Study on Risk Factors Involved in Infections with Enterobacteriaceae strains.” EUROBIT Publishing, Timișoara 2011, ISBN 978-973-620-840-9
– Emilian Damian Popovici, Luminita Mirela Bădițoiu, Mariana Anghel, Sorina Maria Denisa Laitin. “Practical Epidemiology for Students and Residents,” 4th revised and expanded edition, “Victor Babeș” Publishing, Timișoara 2019, ISBN: 978-606-786-135-8, (ebook)
– Emilian Damian Popovici, Luminita Mirela Bădițoiu, Mariana Anghel, Sorina Maria Denisa Laitin. “Épidémiologie Pratique à l’usage des étudiants et des internes,” 2nd revised and expanded edition, “Victor Babeș” Publishing, Timișoara 2019, ISBN: 978-606-786-136-5, (ebook)
– Emilian Damian Popovici, Luminita Mirela Bădițoiu, Mariana Anghel, Sorina Maria Denisa Laitin, Radu Pavel. “Practical Epidemiology for Students and Residents,” “Victor Babeș” Publishing, Timișoara 2019, ISBN: 978-606-786-151-8, (ebook).
The scientific activity is focused on developing and integrating innovative approaches, using digital tools, advanced epidemiological data analysis, and developing technological solutions for monitoring epidemiological phenomena, in line with modern directions for research and innovation in the medical field.
The research topics are oriented towards the epidemiology of communicable diseases, healthcare-associated infections, the phenomenon of bacterial multiresistance, and certain parasitic pathologies with public health impact. The results are valorized through publication in international scientific journals and their integration into university and postgraduate training.
The main research directions are:
Transmissible Pathology
– Ionuț Dragoș Căpraru, Mirabela Romanescu, Flavia Medana Anghel, Cristian Oancea, Cătălin Marian, Ioan Ovidiu Sirbu, Aimee Rodica Chiș, Paula Diana Ciordas. “Identification of Genomic Variants of SARS-CoV-2 Using Nanopore Sequencing.” Medicina 2022; 58:1841.
– Irina-Maria Popescu, Mădălin-Marius Margan, Mariana Anghel, Alexandra Mocanu, Sorina Maria Denisa Laitin, Roxana Margan, Ionuț Dragoș Căpraru, Alexandra-Andreea Tene, Emanuela-Georgiana Gal-Nădășan, Daniela Cirnatu, Grațiana Nicoleta Chicin, Cristian Oancea, Andrei Anghel. “Developing Prediction Models for COVID-19 Outcomes: A Valuable Tool for Resource-Limited Hospitals.” International Journal of General Medicine 2023; 16:3053–3065.
– Ionuț Dragoș Căpraru, Dan Dumitru Vulcănescu, Iulia Cristina Bagiu, Florin George Horhat, Irina Maria Popescu, Luminița Mirela Bădițoiu, Delia Muntean, Monica Licker, Matilda Rădulescu, Ion Cristian Moț, Mircea Mihai Diaconu, Cătălin Marian. “COVID-19 Biomarkers Comparison: Children, Adults and Elders.” Medicina 2023; 59:877.
– Emanuela-Georgiana Gal-Nădășan, Irina-Maria Popescu, Luminița Mirela Bădițoiu, Norbert Gal-Nădășan, Flavius Cioca, Emilian Damian Popovici, Anca-Raluca Dinu, Florin George Horhat, Mădălin-Marius Margan, Dan Dumitru Vulcănescu, Andrei Anghel, Cătălin Marian, Ionuț Dragoș Căpraru. “Healthcare Workers’ Vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2 in Western Romania: A Study on Incidence and Risk Factors for Non-Vaccination and Reinfection.” International Journal of General Medicine 2023; 16:5621–5632.
– Ionuț Dragoș Căpraru, Cătălin Marian, Dan Dumitru Vulcănescu, Sonia Tănăsescu, Tiberiu Liviu Dragomir, Teodora Daniela Marti, Casiana Boru, Cecilia Roberta Avram, Monica Susan, Cristian Sebastian Vlad. “Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on Roma Vulnerable Communities in Western Romania: Insights and Predictive Factors from a Retrospective Study.” Viruses 2024; 16:435.
– Sorina Maria Denisa Laitin, Luminița Mirela Bădițoiu, Ruxandra Laza, Razvan Sebastian Besliu, Emil Robert Stoicescu, Miruna Gug, Cristina Stefania Dumitru, Raul Pătrașcu. “Impact of Vaccination Status on COVID-19 Severity and Pulmonary Involvement.” Medicina 2024; 60:1919.
Healthcare-associated infections and bacterial multiresistance
– Sorina Maria Denisa Laitin, Luminița Mirela Bădițoiu, Ruxandra Laza, Irina-Maria Ștefan, Razvan Sebastian Besliu, Septimiu Radu Susa, Cristian Oancea, Emil Robert Stoicescu, Diana Manolescu, Corneluța Fira-Mladinescu. “Unveiling the Dynamics of Antimicrobial Resistance: A Year-Long Surveillance (2023) at the Largest Infectious Disease Profile Hospital in Western Romania.” Antibiotics 2024; 13:1130.
– Tudorica (Sirmon) A., Bădițoiu L.M., Anghel M., Laitin S.M.D., Muntean D., Kemper C.A. “Adenosine Triphosphate Bioluminescence Assay versus Microbiological Swab Culture in the Evaluation of Surface Sanitation in a Pediatric Hospital in Romania.” Risk Management and Healthcare Policy 2025:18 1669–1681.
Parasitic Diseases
– Pavel Radu, Ursoniu Sorin, Păduraru Ana Alexandra, Lighezan Rodica, Lupu Maria Alina, Olariu Tudor Rareș. “Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Trichinella spiralis Infection in Blood Donors from Western Romania.” Medicina 2022; 58(1):128.
– Radu Pavel, Sorin Ursoniu, Maria Alina Lupu, Tudor Rareș Olariu. “Trichinellosis in Hospitalized Children and Adults from Western Romania: An 11-Year Retrospective Study.” Life 2023; 13:969.
The research activity has been concretized over time in participation in research projects targeting major public health interests, such as communicable diseases, bacterial multiresistance, and epidemiological surveillance:
– Project 51-034/2007 PNCDI2 – Program 4 Partnerships in Priority Areas “Possible Epidemiological Chains and Control Methods in Cryptosporidiosis in Animals and Humans”; Contract holder: Prof. Dr. Gheorghe Dărăbuş (coordinating institution USAMVBT); Popovici Emilian Damian – project coordinator from CRSPT partner; Bădiţoiu Luminiţa Mirela – member of the research team from the Regional Center of Public Health Timişoara.
– Project 41121/01.10.2008 PNCDI2 – Program 4 Partnerships in Priority Areas “Study of Molecular Determinants of Multiresistance in Nosocomial and Community Bacterial Strains from Southwestern Romania”; Contract holder: Prof. Dr. Monica Licker (coordinating institution UMF Timişoara); Bădiţoiu Luminiţa Mirela, Anghel Mariana – members of the research team from UMFT.
– Project PN II PCCA no. 165/2014 “Transferred MicroRNA – Biomarker in Evaluating the Impact of Genetically Modified Organism Nutrition on the Final Consumer”; Contract holder: Prof. Dr. Anghel Andrei (coordinating institution UMF Timişoara); Popovici Emilian Damian, Anghel Mariana – members of the research team from UMFT.
– Project PN-III-P2-2.1-SOL-2020-2-0324 – Contract no. 24SOL / 17.07.2020 “Emergency Development of Molecular Tools for Evaluating the Emergence and Re-emergence of COVID-19”; Project director: Dr. Gabriela Rodica Oprișan (coordinating institution – Cantacuzino National Institute for Medical-Military Research and Development); Popovici Emilian Damian – project coordinator from UMF Timişoara; Bădiţoiu Luminiţa Mirela, Anghel Mariana – members of the research team from UMFT.
Ongoing project: 25.09.2025 – 24.11.2029
– Project European Regional Development Fund, Health Program, Project Code: MYSMIS 336593 “Improving the Quality of Medical Education through Standardization and Innovation”; Contract holder: Prof. Dr. Cătălina Poiană (coordinating institution “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest); Bădiţoiu Luminiţa Mirela – member of the Scientific Council for the Epidemiology specialty from Partner 5 – UMFVBT.
