Elena is a legal researcher and consultant working at the intersection of environmental law, urban biodiversity, and climate adaptation. She is currently completing a PhD at the European University Institute, where her research examines the governance of the cities–biodiversity nexus and the role of cities in transnational biodiversity law.

Alongside her academic work, Elena has contributed to a Horizon Europe Programme that empowers public authorities to attract and coordinate diverse funding sources, while supporting financing and investment entities in identifying resilient investment opportunities. She has published on disaster law, biodiversity litigation, and the science–law interface, and regularly translates research insights into practical strategies for urban adaptation, nature-based solutions, and extreme heat resilience.