Dragica Stanković

Dr. Dragica Stanković is a distinguished researcher serving as the Scientific Advisor and Director at the University of Belgrade's Institute for Multidisciplinary Research since 2020. Previously, she held the position of Scientific Advisor at the Faculty of Forestry, University of Belgrade (2017-2020) and has maintained a long-standing career in forestry research and environmental protection across multiple Serbian institutions. Her leadership extends to directing the Department of Plant, Soil and Nano Systems where she oversees multidisciplinary research initiatives focused on environmental challenges.

Her educational background includes:

• Doctorate in Biological Sciences from the University of Novi Sad (2006)
• Master of Science in Environmental Protection and Improvement from the University of Belgrade (1996)
• Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Belgrade (1989)

Dr. Stanković's research focuses on the intersection of biotechnology and forestry, with specialized expertise in forest ecology, phytoremediation, and environmental protection. Her work primarily investigates the assessment of exposure, risk, and impact of pollutants on the environment, with particular attention to natural and anthropogenic sources of pollutants and the fate and effects of toxic heavy metals. She has pioneered research on how specific tree species, particularly poplars and willows, can be utilized for environmental remediation while maintaining biomass production potential. Her publications reveal a strong trend toward practical applications of phytoremediation technologies for contaminated land restoration, with increasing focus on energy production from remediation biomass.

Dr. Stanković's scholarly contributions span numerous significant research projects including the National Strategy for Conservation of Forest Genetic Resources (2016-2025), research on pollutant concentration in Belgrade (2017-2018), and multiple national research projects focused on forest ecosystems and environmental protection (2011-2017). She has authored a textbook on 'Physiology of Woody Plants' (2011), a monograph titled 'Pollutants in Plants' (2017), and holds a patent for a 'Ring Cover for Plant Mulching' (2016).

At the University of Belgrade, Dr. Stanković has been actively engaged in teaching at the master's and doctoral levels, instructing courses on Bioremediation, Physiology of Woody Plants, and Anatomical-Physiological Basis of Woody Plants. She serves on national and international scientific committees for conferences and is a member of several professional organizations including the National Association of Environmental Protection Experts, the 'Reforesta' association (where she serves on the supervisory board), the scientific-professional society 'Ecologica,' and the Andrejevic Foundation.