I graduated in pre-Bologna study of Biology (2011) from the Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. The title of the thesis is: Accumulation of Zinc or Copper in the Model Organism (Porcellio scaber, Isopoda, Crustacea) Fed on Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles or Copper Nanoparticles [ pdf ]

In 2011 I enrolled in the interdisciplinary Doctoral study of Biosciences, research area of Nanosciences, coordinated by the Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana.

My main research interest are the interactions between nanoparticles and digestive system of model organisms. I study assimilation, positioning and depuration of nanoparticles from the digestive tract of isopods after nanoparticles have been consumed with food. Furthermore, I search for specific effects of nanoparicles on biological macromolecules which would appear before oxidative stress or toxic effects at the level of the whole organism took place. I am also interested in physio-chemical changes of nanoparticles as a consequence of their interaction with gut content during digestion, which can influence their biological reactivity.

Awards and honors:

• (2011) Faculty Prešeren Award for the graduation thesis, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana
• (2009) The Slovenian Science Foundation’s Award for the best student essay on the topic of climate change
• (2008) Biotechnical Faculty’s Commendation for the best biology student of the grade in the study year 2006/07
• (2006) “Golden Graduate” from secondary school (I. gimnazija v Celju), 34 points
• (2006) participated at the 17th International Biology Olympiad (Córdoba, Argentina), 124th place, missed the bronze medal for 0.5 point
• (2006) national champion at the National Biology Competition for secondary schools
• (2006) Golden Pregel Plaquette at the National Chemistry Competition for secondary schools, 1st place
• (2005) Golden Pregel Plaquette at the National Chemistry Competition for secondary schools, 12th place

International activities:

• (2011-present) Research collaboration with dr. Lisa Vaccari at the SISSI (Source for Imaging and Spectroscopic Studies in the Infrared) light beamline, Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A. di interesse nazionale, AREA Science Park, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy

Methods and machines I specialize in::

• In vivo studies on model organisms, terrestrial isopods (Porcellio scaber, Isopoda, Crustacea)
• Flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS)
• Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)