Slađana Strmečki Kos

Dr. Slađana Strmečki Kos serves as a Senior Research Associate at the Ruđer Bošković Institute in Zagreb, Croatia, within the Division for Marine and Environmental Research and the Laboratory for marine and atmospheric biogeochemistry. Her expertise lies in applying electrochemical methods to investigate organic polymers and trace metals in marine environments, contributing significantly to marine biogeochemistry and environmental chemistry research.

Her academic credentials include:

• PhD in Chemistry (2012), University of Zagreb: Dissertation on chronopotentiometric analysis of marine polysaccharides using mercury electrodes
• Master's in Chemistry (2006), University of Zagreb: Thesis on voltammetric determination of selenium traces via selenium(IV)-rhodium(III) systems

Dr. Strmečki Kos's research program centers on electrochemical characterization of marine organic matter, with specific emphases on:

• Trace metal-organic ligand interactions (copper, iron) in seawater
• Surface activity and complexation properties of exopolymeric substances
• Biomacromolecule behavior at electrode interfaces
• Development of sensitive electroanalytical methods for environmental monitoring

Her work integrates advanced electrochemistry with marine environmental science to address critical questions about biogeochemical cycling and pollution impacts in coastal ecosystems.

Examination of her publication record (2014-2022) shows consistent methodological innovation in studying marine organic matter and trace metals. Key contributions include characterizing copper-binding ligands in the Adriatic Sea, analyzing iron-binding ligands along Pacific GEOTRACES transects, and investigating protein-polysaccharide interactions at charged interfaces. These studies demonstrate her ability to bridge fundamental electrochemistry with real-world marine environmental challenges.

While no major scientific awards are documented in available sources, Dr. Strmečki Kos demonstrates research excellence through her publication output and successful grant acquisition.

She has supervised five graduate students (four master's theses, one doctoral dissertation) and currently leads the HRZZ Career Development Project (2020-2024), a competitive grant focused on training new doctoral researchers in marine electrochemistry. This project provides essential funding for her laboratory's ongoing research into marine biogeochemical processes.

As an integral member of the Laboratory for marine and atmospheric biogeochemistry, Dr. Strmečki Kos collaborates with multidisciplinary teams on projects examining marine organic matter cycling, trace metal speciation, and environmental quality assessment. Her laboratory's electrochemical expertise supports national and international research initiatives focused on understanding and protecting marine ecosystems.