Olga Malev

Dr. Olga Malev is a Research Fellow at Ruđer Bošković Institute (Zagreb, Croatia), affiliated with the Division of Materials Chemistry and Laboratory for Aquaculture Biotechnology. Her research focuses on environmental toxicology and ecotoxicological risk assessment using aquatic and terrestrial model organisms.

Education:

• PhD in Toxicology (2013) - University of Nova Gorica: 'Toxic effects of selected neonicotinoids through different organisational levels'
• MS in Environmental Biology (2009) - University of Trieste: 'Biomarker assays for freshwater crayfish'

Research Focus: Dr. Malev's work integrates experimental toxicology with environmental monitoring. She develops bioassays using zebrafish, crustaceans, and earthworms to assess impacts of pharmaceuticals, nanomaterials, and industrial pollutants. Her recent projects examine:

• Toxicity mechanisms of dental materials in aquatic ecosystems
• Predictive modeling of chemical mixtures in river systems
• Biomarker responses to nanoparticles and pesticides
• Wildfire pollution impacts on aquatic organisms

Publication Trends: Her 50+ publications (2005-2025) demonstrate evolving focus from fundamental ecotoxicology to complex environmental risk assessment. Recent works increasingly incorporate computational methods (QSAR modeling) alongside traditional bioassays, with emphasis on emerging contaminants in European waterways. Dominant themes include nanotoxicology, biomarker development, and mixture toxicity.

Student Advising: Supervised thesis research on river toxicity assessment using Gammarus fossarum and Daphnia magna models. Collaborates extensively within international research networks.

Laboratory Activities: Leads ecotoxicological testing in the Aquaculture Biotechnology Lab, developing standardized protocols for whole-organism bioassays and biomarker analysis in environmental samples.