Slavica Janevska

Dr. Slavica Janevska is a Junior Research Group Leader at the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI) in Jena, Germany, where she leads the research unit focused on (Epi-)Genetic Regulation of Fungal Virulence. She is also a faculty member of the Jena School for Microbial Communication (JSMC) and holds associate memberships in the DFG Cluster of Excellence 'Balance of the Microverse' and the Collaborative Research Centre/Transregio 124 – FungiNet.

Her research program investigates the molecular mechanisms of fungal pathogenesis, with particular emphasis on epigenetic regulation of virulence factors in Fusarium species. Dr. Janevska's work bridges fungal genetics, epigenetics, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis, exploring how histone modifications control the expression of pathogenicity determinants and mycotoxin production.

Her recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate a strong focus on fungal epigenetics, secondary metabolite biosynthesis, and antifungal mechanisms. The research spans from fundamental chromatin biology in Fusarium fujikuroi to applied studies on antifungal drug activity against Fusarium pathogens, reflecting both basic and translational aspects of her work.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Early Career Editor for 'Fungal Genetics and Biology' (2024)
• Editor for 'Fungal Biology' of the British Mycological Society (2023)
• Leadership of the FUSION research group funded by Free State of Thuringia (2025)
• Membership in the Association for General and Applied Microbiology (2023)

Dr. Janevska actively mentors students through the Jena School for Microbial Communication and collaborates with researchers across Germany and internationally. Her lab FUSION provides opportunities for students interested in fungal genetics, epigenetics, and pathogenesis, with access to state-of-the-art facilities at Leibniz-HKI and potential collaborations within the FungiNet consortium.