Prof. Dr. Ratko Ristić, is a full professor and Dean of the University of Belgrade - Faculty of Forestry. He is engaged in doctoral, master and undergraduate study levels at the Department for Ecological Engineering in the Protection of Soil and Water Resources - Chair of Erosion and Torrent Control. So far, he has published over 130 research papers dealing with erosion and torrent control, land degradation, hydrology, watershed management, landscape restoration and natural disasters prevention.

He worked as a responsible engineer or associate engineer in the implementation of 73 main projects and 70 other projects (conceptual projects, feasibility studies, environmental impact assessment studies, elaborates). These projects resulted in the construction of a total of 56 facilities, of which he managed 17. He was the leader of erosion control and stream restoration projects in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Greece. He is a member of IAHS (International Association of Hydrological Sciences) and WASWC (World Association for Soil and Water Conservation). From 2011 to 2017 he was a member of the Supervisory Board of the Innovation Fund of Serbia. In 2017, he was appointed representative of Serbia in the UNCCD (United Nation Convention Combat Desertification), Committee on Science and Technology.