معرفی
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.
۰مقاله منتشرشده
