Rok Novak / Postdoctoral Researcher

Dr. Rok Novak

Postdoctoral Researcher

rok.novak@ijs.si

+386 1 588 5453

Location: Reactor Center Podgorica

Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8393-9595

ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rok-Novak-2

COBISS: https://bib.cobiss.net/bibliographies/si/webBiblio/bib301_20250716_090041_53460.html

Research areas:

Environmental health researcher based at the Jožef Stefan Institute, with a focus on the intersection of environmental monitoring, advanced modelling, and public participation. My work examines how people experience and are affected by environmental stressors in urban settings, such as air pollution and noise. I integrate geospatial and sensor-based data with agent-based and AI-driven models to explore these dynamics, while also developing citizen science initiatives that engage communities in the research process. A key interest lies in how participatory approaches can enhance both the scientific understanding of complex urban challenges and their societal relevance.

Teaching information: Assistant at Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, study programme Ecotechnology

Selected publications:

Simulating the impact of particulate matter exposure on health-related behaviour: A comparative study of stochastic modelling and personal monitoring data
This study demonstrates how combining agent-based stochastic models with personal monitoring data can better simulate real-world particulate matter exposures and related health behaviors.
R. Novak, J.A. Robinson, T. Kanduč, D. Sarigiannis, D. Kocman. DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103111

Empowering Participatory Research in Urban Health: Wearable Biometric and Environmental Sensors for Activity Recognition
Employing machine learning on wearable sensor data, this study enables lay participants to accurately recognize activities like cooking and smoking, reducing reliance on manual activity diaries.
R. Novak, J.A. Robinson, T. Kanduč, D. Sarigiannis, S. Džeroski, D. Kocman. DOI: 10.3390/s23249890

Integrated assessment of personal monitor applications for evaluating exposure to urban stressors: A scoping review
A comprehensive review showing how personal monitors are applied to assess urban stressors—such as air pollution, noise, and heat—highlighting current capabilities and identifying knowledge gaps.
R. Novak, J.A. Robinson, C. Frantzidis, I. Sejdullahu, M.G. Persico, D. Kontić, D. Sarigiannis, D. Kocman. DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115685

Selected projects:

URBANOME: Urban Observatory for Multi-Participatory Enhancement of Health and Wellbeing, H2020, 01.03.2021-28.02.2025 (https://www.urbanome.eu/)

INQUIRE: Improving Indoor Air Quality and health: Identification of Chemicals and Biological Determinants, their Sources, and Pategies to promote Healthier Homes in Europe, Horizon Europe, 01.09.2023-31.08.2027 (https://inquire-he.eu/)

ICARUS: Integrated Climate forcing and Air pollution Reduction in Urban Systems, H2020, 01.05.2016-31.10.2020 (https://icarus2020.eu/)

RadoNorm-SLO: Citizen Science as support to increasing radon testing and mitigation in Bela krajina, Slovenia, H2020, 1.6.2023-31.3.2024 (https://eu-citizen.science/project/469)

CitieS-Health: Citizen Science for Urban Environment and Health, H2020, 01.01.2019-30.06.2022 (https://www.citieshealth.eu/)

SMURBS:SMart URBan Solutions for air quality, disasters and city growth, H2020, del ERA-PLANET (The European network for observing our changing planet), 1.9.2017 – 31.8.2020 (https://smurbs.eu/)