Metabarcoding Professors and Supervisors in Croatia

Maja Levak ZorincView profile

Researcher

Ruđer Bošković InstituteCroatia

Maja Levak Zorinc is a postdoctoral Researcher at the Ruđer Bošković Institute , affiliated with the Division for Marine and Environmental Research and the Laboratory for Marine and Atmospheric Biogeochemistry . Her work spans interdisciplinary research at the intersection of marine biogeochemistry, nanotoxicology, and drug delivery systems. She employs advanced methodologies like atomic force microscopy (AFM) and bioelectrochemistry to explore microalgae stress responses, nanoparticle behavior in marine environments, and bioinspired material design. Education: PhD in Geology from the University of Zagreb (2020), focusing on silver nanoparticle stabilization in seawater. Her publications highlight expertise in nanoparticle-protein interactions , microalgae adaptation to environmental stressors , and marine-derived drug delivery systems . Recent journal articles delve into TiO2/Carbon electrode optimization and marine vesicle self-assembly , while conference proceedings address salinity stress in diatoms and biogeochemical responses . Collaborations with international institutions (e.g., University of Antwerp, CNRS) underscore her global research network. Despite no listed awards, her work contributes to understanding nanomaterial fate in marine ecosystems and biotechnological applications of algae .

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Armin MešićView profile

Researcher

Ruđer Bošković InstituteCroatia

Dr. Armin Mešić is a prominent mycologist serving as Head of the Laboratory for Biological Diversity within the Division for Marine and Environmental Research at Ruđer Bošković Institute in Zagreb, Croatia. With over two decades of research experience, he has established himself as a leading expert in fungal taxonomy, biodiversity, and systematics, particularly focusing on Croatian and Balkan fungal species. Dr. Mešić earned his BSc in Biology (Ecology) from the University of Zagreb in 1999, followed by a PhD in Biology (Mycology) from the same institution in 2006. His doctoral research focused on "Agaricales fungi with white spores in Croatia," establishing the foundation for his extensive career in fungal taxonomy. Dr. Mešić's primary research interests center on mycology, with specific focus on fungal biodiversity, biogeography, and systematics. His work spans various aspects of fungal science, including: Taxonomic studies of Agaricales and other fungal groups DNA barcoding applications for fungal identification Conservation of threatened fungal species Ecosystem services provided by fungi in forest environments Biogeographical patterns of fungal distribution in the Balkan region Analysis of Dr. Mešić's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on integrative taxonomy approaches combining morphological and molecular techniques. His research increasingly focuses on applying DNA barcoding to assess fungal diversity and its role in forest ecosystem services. There's also a growing interest in understanding how climate change impacts fungal communities and their interactions with plant systems. Dr. Mešić has been actively involved in mentoring the next generation of mycologists, supervising numerous graduate students through their thesis work. He has led significant research projects including the CSF scientific research project "Enhancement of Croatian forest ecosystem services through assessment of fungal diversity based on DNA barcoding" (2018-2022), which demonstrates his commitment to applying mycological research to practical environmental challenges. The Laboratory for Biological Diversity under Dr. Mešić's leadership serves as a hub for mycological research in Croatia, focusing on fungal taxonomy, biodiversity assessment, and conservation. The laboratory maintains strong collaborations with international mycological communities and contributes significantly to global fungal databases and classification efforts.

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Nataša KužatView profile

Researcher

Ruđer Bošković InstituteCroatia

Nataša Kužat is a Researcher at the Ruđer Bošković Institute (RBI), affiliated with the Center for Marine Research and the Laboratory for Evolutionary Ecology (LEE). Her work focuses on marine phytoplankton ecology, nutrient dynamics, and biodiversity in the Northern Adriatic Sea, with a particular emphasis on diatoms and invasive species. She investigates physiological adaptations of phytoplankton to environmental stressors, such as nutrient limitation, and explores the ecological impacts of invasive organisms like Mnemiopsis leidyi. Her research integrates experimental approaches with high-throughput sequencing and metabarcoding to study phytoplankton community structure, bloom dynamics, and species interactions. Key areas of interest include the ecological strategies of diatoms (e.g., Chaetoceros , Leptocylindrus , and Skeletonema ), the role of winter conditions in annual organic production, and the distribution of dinoflagellate resting cysts in Adriatic ports. Publications highlight her contributions to understanding nutrient competition, invasive species impacts, and the application of molecular tools in marine ecology. While no formal awards are listed, her work underscores critical insights into Adriatic ecosystem functioning and the implications of environmental change on marine life.

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Ana BaričevićView profile

Assistant Professor

Ruđer Bošković InstituteCroatia

Ana Baričević is an Assistant Professor at the Ruđer Bošković Institute's Center for Marine Research, affiliated with the Laboratory for Evolutionary Ecology (LEE) in Rovinj, Croatia. Her research focuses on marine plankton ecology, diatom diversity, and environmental genomics using advanced techniques like metabarcoding. She holds a PhD in molecular biology from the University of Zagreb (2015), where her thesis explored p53 family genes in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. Key research areas include phytoplankton biodiversity, harmful algal blooms (HABs), and the impacts of environmental pressures on marine ecosystems. Notable work includes developing a regional diatom transcriptome database and analyzing long-term phytoplankton dynamics in the Adriatic Sea. She collaborates internationally on projects like ProtectAS, addressing climate change and marine biodiversity conservation. Her publications span 20+ peer-reviewed articles, emphasizing metabarcoding applications, nutrient limitation effects on diatoms, and the ecological roles of species like Ostreopsis ovata. She advocates for standardized protocols in DNA metabarcoding to improve biomonitoring reliability.

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Tjaša KogovšekView profile

Researcher

Ruđer Bošković InstituteCroatia

Dr. Tjaša Kogovšek is a Researcher at the Laboratory for Evolutionary Ecology (LEE) within the Center for Marine Research at the Ruđer Bošković Institute in Zagreb, Croatia. Her work focuses on marine plankton ecology, with a particular emphasis on jellyfish blooms, environmental DNA (eDNA) applications, and the impacts of climate change on coastal ecosystems. Her research integrates genomic tools—such as metabarcoding and transcriptomics—with traditional ecological methods to study phytoplankton, zooplankton, and microbial communities. Key projects include analyzing long-term data on phytoplankton seasonal patterns, evaluating sampling methodologies for phytoplankton monitoring, and investigating harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the Adriatic Sea. Dr. Kogovšek has contributed to establishing regional reference databases for diatom transcriptomes and eukaryotic plankton diversity inventories. Her studies highlight the ecological roles of jellyfish in modulating microbial dynamics and nutrient cycles, alongside their responses to environmental stressors. She has also explored the biotechnological potential of jellyfish-associated microbiomes and the historical distribution of scyphomedusae in the Adriatic. Her work frequently addresses anthropogenic impacts, including sea warming and anthropogenic nutrient inputs, in shaping plankton communities. Notable contributions include interdisciplinary collaborations on citizen science initiatives for jellyfish monitoring, methodological advancements in eDNA-based plankton surveillance, and ecological comparisons between the Adriatic Sea and other regions like the Inland Sea of Japan. Her research underscores the Adriatic’s unique biodiversity and vulnerability to global change.

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Daniela Marić PfannkuchenView profile

Researcher

Ruđer Bošković InstituteCroatia

Daniela Marić Pfannkuchen is a Senior Research Associate at the Ruđer Bošković Institute's Laboratory for Evolutionary Ecology within the Center for Marine Research. Her research focuses on phytoplankton ecology and taxonomy, particularly in the northern Adriatic Sea. She holds a PhD in Oceanology from the University of Zagreb and a Biology diploma from the University of Trieste. Her work integrates traditional ecological methods with molecular techniques like environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to assess phytoplankton biodiversity and ecosystem health. Key areas include understanding phytoplankton responses to environmental changes, harmful algal blooms, and the impacts of climate change on marine productivity. Recent studies highlight her contributions to long-term phytoplankton monitoring, revealing disruptions in seasonal patterns due to environmental pressures. She leads projects on genomic resources for Adriatic diatoms and collaborates on coastal observatory initiatives. Her findings emphasize the need for advanced monitoring tools to assess dynamic marine ecosystems. Dr. Marić Pfannkuchen actively participates in international conferences, advancing methodologies for eDNA applications and omics-based approaches in marine research. Her team’s work bridges molecular biology with ecological insights, contributing to both fundamental science and practical environmental management strategies.

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Mirta Smodlaka TankovićView profile

Assistant Professor

Ruđer Bošković InstituteCroatia

Mirta Smodlaka Tanković is an Assistant Professor and Head of Division at the Center for Marine Research (Ruđer Bošković Institute, Rovinj, Croatia). She works in the Laboratory for Evolutionary Ecology , focusing on marine environmental issues. PhD in Marine Science (University of Zagreb, 2015) B.Sc. in Biology (Molecular Biology, University of Zagreb, 2008) Her research spans microplastic pollution , marine diatom physiology , and ecotoxicology . She studies primary colonization of plastics, nutrient limitations in diatoms, and marine eDNA metabarcoding. Her work often integrates phytoplankton monitoring and biomarker analysis . Recent publications highlight her contributions to Adriatic biodiversity , plastic pollution , and diatom transcriptomics . She collaborates on metabarcoding projects and marine biomonitoring using Mytilus galloprovincialis . Notable articles include studies on "Plastic biome" colonization and diatom responses to nutrient stress. As a mentor, she supervises students in Marine Science at Jurja Dobrila University of Pula and other institutions. Her laboratory maintains a marine phytoplankton cell culture collection for Adriatic Sea research.

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Helena BilandžijaView profile

Research Fellow

Ruđer Bošković InstituteCroatia

Helena Bilandžija is a Senior Research Fellow at the Ruđer Bošković Institute in Zagreb, Croatia, specializing in Evolutionary Developmental Biology and Subterranean Ecology . Her work bridges Phenotypic Plasticity and Genetic Assimilation in cave organisms. Education: PhD in Biology (2007–2013), Ruđer Bošković Institute & University of Osijek Postdoc (2015–2017), University of Maryland BSc in Biology-Ecology (1999–2005), University of Zagreb Research Themes: Evolution of albinism via melanin pathway defects Role of catecholaminergic systems in cave adaptation Conservation of subterranean species like Congeria bivalves Epigenetic mechanisms in phenotypic plasticity Phylogeography of Dinaric Karst endemics Comparative transcriptomics across cave and surface species Grants: 2019–2024: €1M TTPP Grant for 'Evolution in the Dark' 2014–2017: €118k NEWFELPRO Postdoctoral Grant Scientific Awards: NEWFELPRO Fellowship (2014–2017) EMBO Short-Term Fellowship (2014) L'Oréal-UNESCO 'For Women in Science' Fellowship (2013) Best Poster at 21st International Conference on Subterranean Biology (2012) Her research spans Cavefish (Astyanax mexicanus) , Dinaric Karst Bivalves , and Isopod Crustaceans , with a focus on Genetic Adaptation , Environmental DNA , and Conservation of Subterranean Ecosystems . She collaborates with teams across Europe and North America, maintaining Cave and Surface Invertebrate Facilities for experimental studies.

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Ana BaricevicView profile

Researcher

Ruđer Bošković InstituteCroatia

Dr. Ana Baricevic is an active marine researcher specializing in molecular ecology and environmental genomics, with particular focus on Adriatic Sea ecosystems. Her work bridges biomonitoring, toxicology, and biodiversity assessment through advanced molecular techniques. Her research program centers on diatom DNA metabarcoding standardization for freshwater biomonitoring, cytogenotoxicity mechanisms of marine toxins within the One Health framework, and regional genomic database development for Adriatic phytoplankton. This integrative approach connects molecular ecology with practical environmental assessment tools. Recent publication trends (5 articles in 2024-2025) reveal concentrated work on method validation, regional biodiversity databases, and marine toxin impacts. Her studies consistently target the Northern and Southern Adriatic regions using metabarcoding and transcriptomic approaches across environmental science and toxicology disciplines. Dr. Baricevic maintains an active collaborative network with institutions including the National Institute of Oceanography and Division for Marine and Environmental Research. Her advising capacity and grant portfolio cannot be confirmed from available data, though her publication rate suggests ongoing research activity. Current opportunities focus on molecular biomonitoring techniques and Adriatic Sea biodiversity projects.

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Martin PfannkuchenView profile

Researcher

Ruđer Bošković InstituteCroatia

Martin Pfannkuchen is a Researcher at the Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Rovinj, Croatia, focusing on marine biological systems in the Adriatic Sea region through molecular and physiological approaches. His research expertise spans Metagenomics , Phytoplankton Physiology , and Biological Oceanography , with specialization in diatom DNA metabarcoding, marine plankton diversity assessment, and climate change impacts on microorganisms. Current projects investigate physiological acclimation mechanisms in marine diatoms and standardized biomonitoring protocols using molecular techniques. Publication trends since 2021 reveal consistent focus on Adriatic Sea ecosystems, with dual emphasis on methodological development (e.g., diatom DNA metabarcoding standardization) and ecological applications (e.g., plankton diversity responses to environmental change). Geographic scope centers on northern and southern Adriatic coastal zones, utilizing both field sampling and laboratory experiments. As part of the Center for Marine Research, he contributes to Croatia's marine science infrastructure through international collaborations with institutions including University of Bergen and Max Planck Institute. His work supports regional biomonitoring initiatives and climate change adaptation research in Mediterranean ecosystems.

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