Overview

ROICE 2026 continues INCDSB’s Antarctic research tradition.

The expedition took place between 24 January and 14 February 2026 at the King Sejong Antarctic Station of the Korea Polar Research Institute, located on King George Island in West Antarctica.

Antarctica functions here as a reference natural laboratory. Data and observations from ROICE 2026 support climate, biodiversity, biosecurity, public-health and biomedical research questions with relevance beyond polar science.

Partners and supporters Organized by INCDSB with University of Bucharest partnership and KOPRI polar infrastructure; supported by BT Production Group, BlueSpace Technology and the Romanian Society of Bioengineering and Biotechnology.

Scientific Objectives

01

Biodiversity and climate

Investigate how fragile Antarctic ecosystems respond to rapid temperature and habitat changes.

02

Permafrost

Explore emerging biological risks and biomolecules with possible pharmacological potential.

03

Thermal stress

Analyze human physiological responses to extreme conditions for environmental medicine and occupational health.

04

Interdisciplinary integration

Combine field samples, metadata, laboratory workflows and complementary expertise.

Fieldwork and Logistics

Field movement followed Antarctic weather windows and station logistics.

The 2026 team reached King George Island after delays in Punta Arenas caused by strong winds, low cloud ceiling and poor visibility. From the DAP landing zone, the team was transported by sea to King Sejong Station.

Stage 01

Transit

Punta Arenas weather wait, flight reorganization, gravel runway landing on King George Island.
Stage 02

Field Operations

Daily 5-6 hour work around Sejong Hill, Araon Valley, Gaya Hill, Marian Cove, ASPA 171, Haeundae Beach and Hwaseok Hill.

Stage 03

Laboratory

Immediate labeling, measurements, processing and preparation for the next field day.

Team

Expedition members.

INCDSB Coordinator

Dr. Iris Maria Tușa

Department of Arctic and Antarctic Research.

UB Researcher

Dr. Ovidiu Vrâncianu

Microbiology and molecular approaches.

INCDSB Researcher

Dr. Roxana Cristian Vrâncianu

Microbiology and polar biodiversity.

UB Researcher

Drd. Georgiana Grigore

Microbiology and Antarctic sample processing.

Field journal

Logbook from Antarctica – 2026.

February 6, 2026

Logbook from Antarctica – 2026

The ROICE 2026 team moved through Punta Arenas delays, landed on King George Island, reached King Sejong Station and began field and laboratory work.

January 21, 2026

ROICE 2026 Expedition

The fifth Romanian Antarctic expedition continues INCDSB research at King Sejong Station with University of Bucharest partners.

Expedition timeline

Five Antarctic campaigns since 2015.

ROICE 2026 Fifth Romanian Antarctic expedition: biodiversity and climate, permafrost, human adaptation to thermal stress. ROICE 2020 Water quality, pollutants, microbial diversity, glacier retreat and human adaptation. ROICE 2019 Third field campaign, continuing microbial diversity, climate change and human adaptation research. ROICE 2016 Expanded sampling, microbial diversity, human adaptation and stable isotope analyses. ROICE 2015 First Romanian Governmental Scientific Expedition in Antarctica with INCDSB and KOPRI.

Gallery

Visual record of the expedition.

Sponsors and Supporters

ROICE 2026 support.

INCDSB National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences INCDSB UniBuc University of Bucharest UniBuc BTP BT Production Group BTP BSTech BlueSpace Technology BSTech SRBB Romanian Society of Bioengineering and Biotechnology SRBB