Izr. prof. dr. Anita Jemec Kokalj

[ email | bibliography | personal page ]

My main research activity: Anita Jemec Kokalj is an Assistant Professor in the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. She has more than 15 years of experience in the field of ecotoxicology, with the major part of her research focused on nanoecotoxicity, in terms of both fate and environmental hazard. In recent years, she has been actively involved in microplastics and nanoplastics research. Her research is focused on the potential effects of materials using different test systems, from cell lines, to aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, to vertebrate embryos. As well as the classical toxicological endpoints, her interest is to investigate changes at the cellular and subcellular levels, including stress responses, detoxification, and immune responses. She is involved in the development of the assessment criteria for the quality of ecotoxicity data for regulatory purposes.

My main research fields are:

  • emerging contaminants of concern: endocrine disruptors, pesticides, nanomaterials and microplastics
  • aquatic toxicology,
  • terrestrial toxicology,
  • environmental risk assessment,
  • biology of cave and surface freshwater crustaceans.

I was awarded a PhD in Biological Science (2008) from Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. The title of the thesis is: Biochemical biomarkers in invertebrates.

Awards, honors, and grants:

  • (2015) Outstanding reviewer certificate (Springer)
  • (2014) Grant from Slovenian Academy of Science and Estonian Academy of Science for a 4 days visit at the NICPB, Estonia,
  • (2009) Grant from Slovenian Academy of Science and Estonian Academy of Science for a 10 days visit of NICPB, Estonia,
  • (2009) The Royal Society travel grant, 3-months visit of University of Exeter, UK,
  • (2008) World Federation of Scientists National Scholarship,
  • (2005) Young Investigator Award for the presentation at the conference Second Workshop on Comparative Aspects of Oxidative Stress in Biological Systems,
  • (2004) Faculty Jesenko’s prize.
  • (2003) Faculty Prešeren’s prize.
  • (2003) Scholarship for successful students, Student club Domžale.
  • (1994-2001) Zois Scholarship.

Editorial board memberships:

Leader of project Impact of environmentally relevant nano- and micro-plastics on soil invertebrates (ARRS J1-2482). Read more about this project.

UL leader in EU Horizon 2020 Papillons project.

2023
Defining quality criteria for nanoplastic hazard evaluation : the case of polystyrene nanoplastics and aquatic invertebrate Daphnia spp.
Jemec Kokalj A, Heinlaan M, Novak S, Drobne D, Kühnel D.
[ site ] Nanomaterials

2023
Modulation of chlorpyrifos toxicity to soil arthropods by simultaneous exposure to polyester microfibers or tire particle microplastics
Selonen, S, Jemec Kokalj, A, Benguedouar, H, Alavian P., Dolar, A, Drobne, D, Cornelis a. m. van Gestel
[ site ] Applied soil ecology

2022
Effects of microplastics from disposable medical masks on terrestrial invertebrates
Jemec Kokalj A, Dolar A, Drobne D, Škrlep Š, Sever Škapin A, Marolt G, Nagode A, A.M. van Gestel Cornelis
[ site ] Journal of Hazardous Materials

2022
Long-term interactions between microplastics and floating macrophyte Lemna minor:the potential for phytoremediation of microplastics in the aquatic environment
Rozman U, Jemec Kokalj A, Dolar A, Drobne D, Kalčíková G
[ site ] Science of the total environment

2022
Screening of NaCl salinity sensitivity across eight species of subterranean amphipod genus Niphargus
Jemec Kokalj A, Fišer Ž, Dolar A., Novak S, Drobne D, Bračko G, Fišer C
[ site ] Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

2022
Time-dependent immune response in Porcellio scaber following exposure to microplastics and natural particles
Dolar A, Drobne D, Dolenec M., Marinšek M, Jemec Kokalj A
[ site ] Science of the Total Environment

2022
Tire microplastics exposure in soil induces changes in expression profile of immune-related genes in terrestrial crustacean Porcellio scaber
Dolar A, Drobne D, Narat M, Jemec Kokalj A
[ site ]

2022
Environmental hazard of polypropylene microplastics from disposable medical masks : acute toxicity towards Daphnia magna and current knowledge on other polypropylene microplastics
Jemec Kokalj A, Dolar A, Drobne D, Marinšek M, Dolenec M, Škrlep Š, Strmljan G, Mušič, M, Sever Škapin A,
[ site ] Microplastics and Nanoplastics

2021
Quality of nanoplastics and microplastics ecotoxicity studies : refining quality criteria for nanomaterial studies
Jemec Kokalj A, Hartmann NB., Drobne D, Potthoff A, Kühnel D
[ site ] Journal of hazardous materials

2021
Effects of bioinsecticidal aegerolysin-based cytolytic complexes on non-target organisms
Panevska A, Glavan G, Jemec Kokalj A, Kukuljan V, Trobec T, Žužek MC, Vrecl M, Drobne D, Frangež R, Sepčić K
[ site ] Toxins

2021
Stem cells of aquatic invertebrates as an advanced tool for assessing ecotoxicological impacts
Rosner A, Armengaud J, Ballarin L, Barnay-Verdier S, Cima F, Varela Coelho A, Domart-Coulon I, Drobne D, Geneviere A, Jemec Kokalj A, Kotlarska E, Ramšak A
[ site ] Science of the total environment

2021
Stressor-dependant changes in immune parameters in the terrestrial isopod crustacean, Porcellio scaber
Mayall C, Dolar A, Jemec Kokalj A, Drobne D
[ site ] Nanomaterials

2021
Long term exposure to virgin and recycled LDPE microplastics induced minor effects in the freshwater and terrestrial crustaceans Daphnia magna and Porcellio scaber
Jemec Kokalj A, Dolar A, Titova J, Visnapuu M, Škrlep L, Drobne D, Vija H, Kisand V, Heinlaan M
[ site ] Polymers

2021
Microplastics, chlorpyrifos and their mixtures modulate immune processes in the terrestrial crustacean Porcellio scaber
Dolar A, Drobne D, Dolenec M, Marinšek M, Jemec Kokalj A
[ site ] Science of the total environment

2021
Time-dependent immune response in Porcellio scaber following exposure to microplastics and natural particles
Dolar A, Drobne D, Dolenec M, Marinšek M, Jemec Kokalj A
[ site ] Science of the total environment

2021
Exploring the impacts of microplastics and associated chemicals in the terrestrial environment : exposure of soil invertebrates to tire particles
Selonen S, Dolar A, Jemec Kokalj A, Sackey LNA, Skalar T, Cruz Fernandes V, Rede D, Delerue-Matos C, Hurley R, Nizzetto L, Gestel CAM
[ site ] Environmental research : multidisciplinary journal of environmental sciences, ecology, and public health

2021
Immune system in crustaceans : a presentation of research with terrestrial crustacean Porcellio scaber
Dolar A, Drobne D, Kostanjšek R, Jemec Kokalj A
Acta biologica slovenica

2020
Comparative biokinetics of pristine and sulfidized Ag nanoparticles in two arthropod species exposed to different field soils
Talaber I, GesteL C.A.M. van, Jemec Kokalj A, Marolt G, Novak S, Zidar P, Drobne D
[ site ] Environmental science Nano

2020
Modulations of immune parameters caused by bacterial and viral infections in the terrestrial crustacean Porcellio scaber : implications for potential markers in environmental research.
Dolar A, Kostanjšek R, Mayall C, Drobne D, Jemec Kokalj A
[ site ] Developmental & Comparative Immunology

2020
Stem cells and innate immunity in aquatic invertebrates : bridging two seemingly disparate disciplines for new discoveries in biology
Ballarin L, Karahan A, Salvetii A, Rossi L, Manni L, Rinkevich B, Rosner A, Voskoboynik A, Rosental B, Canesi L, Anselmi C, Pinsino A, Tohumcu BE, Jemec Kokalj A, Dolar A, Novak S, Sugni M, Corsi I, Drobne D
[ site ] Frontiers in immunology

2020
Comparison of sublethal effects of natural acaricides carvacrol and thymol on honeybees
Glavan G, Novak S, Božič J, Jemec Kokalj A
[ site ] Pesticide biochemistry and physiology

2020
An environmental concentration of aged microplastics with adsorbed silver significantly affects aquatic organisms
Kalčíková G, Skalar T, Marolt G, Jemec Kokalj
[ site ] Water Research

2020
The gut barrier and the fate of engineered nanomaterials: a view from comparative physiology
van der Zande M, Jemec Kokalj A, Spurgeon DJ, Loureiro S, Silva PV, Khodaparast Z,... van Gestel CA
[ site ] Environmental Science: Nano

2020
Proteomic investigation of Zn-challenged rice roots reveals adverse effects and root physiological adaptation
Šimon M, Shen ZJ, Ghoto K, Chen J, Liu X, Gao GF, Jemec Kokalj A, Drašler B, Zhang JY, You YP, Drobne D, Zheng HL
[ site ] Plant and soil

2020
Exploring the impacts of plastics in soil : the effects of polyester textile fibers on soil invertebrates
Selonen S, Dolar A, Jemec Kokalj A, Skalar T, Parramon Dolcet L, Hurley R, Gestel Cornelis a. m. van.
[ site ] Science of The Total Environment

2020
The quality of Slovenian chestnut honey and its specific properties relevant for medical application and functional nutrition = Kakovost slovenskega kostanjevega medu in njegove poznane lastnosti v prid medicinski uporabi in za funkcionalno prehrano
Božič J, Bertoncelj J, Drobne D, Glavan G, Gunde-Cimerman N, Leonardi A, Kopinč R, Jemec Kokalj A, Novak S, Korošec M, Križaj I, Podrižnik B, Turk M, Zabret A
Acta biologica slovenica

2019
Avoidance behaviour of isopods (Porcellio scaber) exposed to food or soil contaminated with Ag-and CeO2 nanoparticles
Zidar P, Kos M, Ilič E, Marolt G, Drobne D, Jemec Kokalj A
[ site ] Applied Soil Ecology

2019
First evidence of cholinesterase-like activity in Basidiomycota
Sepčić K, Sabotič J, A Ohm R, Drobne D, Jemec Kokalj A
[ site ] PloS one

2019
Tools and rules for modelling uptake and bioaccumulation of nanomaterials in invertebrate organisms
Van Den Brink NW, Jemec Kokalj A, Silva PV, Lahive E, Norrfors K, Baccaro M, Drobne D... Lofts S
[ site ] Environmental Science: Nano

2019
The first comprehensive safety study of Magnéli phase titanium suboxides reveals no acute environmental hazard
Jemec Kokalj A, Novak S, Talaber I, Kononenko V, Bizjak Mali L, Vodovnik M, Žegura B, Eleršek T, Kalčíková G, Žgajnar Gotvajn A, Kralj S, Makovec D, Čaloudova H, Drobne D
[ site ] Environmental science Nano

2019
An exploratory ecotoxicity study of primary microplastics versus aged in natural waters and wastewaters
Jemec Kokalj A, Kuehnel D, Puntar B, Gotvajn AŽ, Kalčikova G
[ site ] Environmental Pollution

2018
Energy reserves in the water louse Asellus aquaticus (Isopoda, Crustacea) from surface and cave populations:seasonal and spatial dynamics
Zidar P, Škufca D, Prevorčnik S, Kalčíková G, Jemec Kokalj A
[ site ] Fundamental and applied limnology

2018
The biological fate of silver nanoparticles from a methodological perspective
Drobne D, Novak S, Talaber I, Lynch I, Jemec Kokalj A
[ site ] Materials

2018
The use of multiwell culture plates in the duckweed toxicity test:a case study on Zn nanoparticles
Kalčíková G, Marolt G, Jemec Kokalj A, Žgajnar Gotvajn A
[ site ] New Biotechnology

2018
The significance of nanomaterial post-exposure responses in Daphnia magna standard acute immobilisation assay : example with testing TiO2 nanoparticles.
Novak S, Jemec Kokalj A, Hočevar S, Godec M, Drobne D
[ site ] Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

2018
Integration of behavioral tests and biochemical biomarkers of terrestrial isopod Porcellio scaber (Isopoda, Crustacea) is a promising methodology for testing environmental safety of chars
Madžarić S, Kos M, Drobne D, Hočevar M, Jemec Kokalj A
[ site ] Environmental pollution

2018
Different response of acetylcholinesterases in salt- and detergent-soluble fractions of honeybee haemolymph, head and thorax after exposure to diazinon
Glavan G, Kos M, Božič J, Drobne D, Sabotič J, Jemec Kokalj A
[ site ] Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology

2018
The in vivo effects of silver nanoparticles on terrestrial isopods, Porcellio scaber, depend on a dynamic interplay between shape, size and nanoparticle dissolution properties
Novak S, Romih T, Drašler B, Birarda G, Vaccari L, Ferraris P, Sorieul S, Zieba M, Sebastian V, Arruebo M, Hočevar S.B., Jemec Kokalj A, Drobne D
Analyst

2018
Screening study of four environmentally relevant microplastic pollutants : uptake and effects on Daphnia magna and Artemia franciscana
Jemec Kokalj A, Kunej U, Skalar T
[ site ] Chemosphere

2017
Essential oils with the potential for varroa mite control (Varroa destructor) : mechanisms of toxicity and negative impact on honey bee (Apis mellifera)
Jemec KokaljA, Glavan G
[ site ] Acta Biologica Slovenica

2017
Plastic bag and facial cleanser derived microplastic do not affect feeding behaviour and energy reserves of terrestrial isopods
Jemec Kokalj A, Horvat P, Skalar T, Kržan A
[ site ] Science of The Total Environment

2017
Cerium(IV) oxide nanoparticles induce sublethal changes in honeybees after chronic exposure
Kos M, Jemec A, Glavan G, Marolt G, Zidar P, Božič J, Novak S, Drobne D
[ site ] Environmental Science: Nano

2017
Impact of polyethylene microbeads on the floating freshwater plant duckweed Lemna minor
Kalčíková G, Žgajnar Gotvajn A, Kladnik A, Jemec A
[ site ] Environmental Pollution

2017
Comparative study of acetylcholinesterase and glutathione S-transferase activities of closely related cave and surface Asellus aquaticus (Isopoda: Crustacea)
Jemec A, Škufca D, Prevorčnik S, Fišer Ž, Zidar P
[ pdf ] [ site ] PLOS ONE

2016
Four decades of multidisciplinary studies on isopods: a tribute to Pavel Ličar
Bogataj U, Drobne D, Jemec A, Kostanjšek R, Mrak P, Novak S, Prevorčnik S, Sket B, Trontelj P, Tušek Žnidarič M, Vittori M, Zidar P, Žnidaršič N, Štrus J
[ pdf ] [ site ] Acta Biologica Slovenica

2016
Uptake and effects of microplastic textile fibers on freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna
Jemec A, Horvat P, Kunej U, Bele M, Kržan A
[ site ] Environmental Pollution

2016
In field conditions, commercial pigment grade TiO2 was not harmful to terrestrial isopods but reduced leaf litter fragmentation
Jemec A, Kos M, Drobne D, Koponen IK, Vukić J, Ferreira NGC, Loureiro S, McShane HVA
[ pdf ] [ site ] Science of the Total Environment

2016
The role of PVP in the bioavailability of Ag from the PVP-stabilized Ag nanoparticle suspension
Romih T, Jemec A, Kos M, Hočevar SB, Kralj S, Makovec D, Drobne D
[ site ] Environmental Pollution

2016
Gold nanoparticles do not induce adverse effects on terrestrial isopods Porcellio scaber after 14-day exposure
Škarková P, Romih T, Kos M, Novak S, Kononenko V, Jemec A, Vávrová M, Drobne D
[ pdf ] [ site ] Acta Biologica Slovenica

2016
No chronic effects on biochemical biomarkers, feeding and survival of carnolian honeybees (Apis mellifera carnica) after exposure to nanosized carbon black and titanium dioxide
Jemec A, Milivojević T, Drobne D, Sepčić K, Božič J, Glavan G
[ pdf ] [ site ] Acta Biologica Slovenica

2016
Multilaboratory evaluation of 15 bioassays for (eco)toxicity screening and hazard ranking of engineered nanomaterials: FP7 project NANOVALID
Bondarenko OM, Heinlaan M, Sihtmäe M, Ivask A, Kurvet I, Joonas E, Jemec A, Mannerström M, Heinonen T, Rekulapelly R, Singh S, Zou J, Pyykkö I, Drobne D, Kahru A
[ site ] Nanotoxicology

2016
Chapter 12: Biological Characterization of Nanomaterials
Jemec A, Mesarič T, Sopotnik M, Sepčić K, Drobne D
[ pdf ] [ site ] Nanomaterial Characterization: An Introduction

2016
Effects of food salinization on terrestrial crustaceans Porcellio scaber
Škarková P, Kos M, Drobne D, Vávrová M, Jemec A
[ pdf ] [ site ] Applied Soil Ecology

2016
A case study to optimise and validate the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana immobilisation assay with silver nanoparticles: The role of harmonisation
Kos M, Kahru A, Drobne D, Singh S, Kalčíková G, Kühnel D, Rekulapelly R, Žgajnar Gotvajn A, Jemec A
[ site ] Environmental Pollution

2016
An interlaboratory comparison of nanosilver characterisation and hazard identification: Harmonising techniques for high quality data
Jemec A, Kahru A, Potthoff A, Drobne D, Heinlaan M, Böhme S, Geppert M, Novak S, Schirmer K, Rekulapally R, Singh S, Aruoja V, Sihtmäe M, Juganson K, Käkinen A, Kühnel D
[ pdf ] [ site ] Environment International

2016
Bismuth film electrode for anodic stripping voltammetric measurement of silver nanoparticle dissolution
Romih T, Hočevar SB, Jemec A, Drobne D
[ site ] Electrochimica Acta

2015
FTIR microscopy reveals distinct biomolecular profile of crustacean digestive glands upon subtoxic exposure to ZnO nanoparticles
Romih T, Jemec A, Novak S, Vaccari L, Ferraris P, Šimon M, Kos M, Susič R, Kogej K, Zupanc J, Drobne D
[ pdf ] [ site ] Nanotoxicology

2015
High surface adsorption properties of carbon-based nanomaterials are responsible for mortality, swimming inhibition, and biochemical responses in Artemia salina larvae
Mesarič T, Gambardella C, Milivojević T, Faimali M, Drobne D, Falugi C, Makovec D, Jemec A, Sepčić K
[ pdf ] [ site ] Aquatic Toxicology

2015
Bioavailability of cobalt and iron from citric-acid-adsorbed CoFe2O4 nanoparticles in the terrestrial isopod Porcellio scaber
Romih T, Drašler B, Jemec A, Drobne D, Novak S, Golobič M, Makovec D, Susič R, Kogej K
[ pdf ] [ site ] Science of the Total Environment

2015
The hazard assessment of nanostructured CeO2-based mixed oxides on the zebrafish Danio rerio under environmentally relevant UV-A exposure
Jemec A, Djinović P, Osojnik Črnivec IG, Pintar A
[ pdf ] [ site ] Science of The Total Environment

2015
The impact of humic acid on chromium phytoextraction by aquatic macrophyte Lemna minor
Kalčíková G, Zupančič M, Jemec A, Žgajnar Gotvajn A
[ site ] Chemosphere

2012
Upon Exposure to Cu Nanoparticles, Accumulation of Copper in the Isopod Porcellio scaber Is Due to the Dissolved Cu Ions Inside the Digestive Tract
Golobič M, Jemec A, Drobne D, Romih T, Kasemets K, Kahru A
[ pdf ] [ site ] Environmental Science & Technology

2012
The link between antioxidant enzymes catalase and glutathione S-transferase and physiological condition of a control population of terrestrial isopod (Porcellio scaber)
Jemec A, Lešer V, Drobne D
[ pdf ] [ site ] Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

2012
Assessment of landfill leachate toxicity reduction after biological treatment
Jemec A, Tišler T, Žgajnar Gotvajn A
[ site ] Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

2011
Ecotoxicity of nanosized TiO2. Review of in vivo data
Menard A, Drobne D, Jemec A
[ pdf ] [ site ] Environmental Pollution

2010
Zinc bioaccumulation in a terrestrial invertebrate fed a diet treated with particulate ZnO or ZnCl2
Pipan-Tkalec Ž, Drobne D, Jemec A, Romih T, Zidar P, Bele M
[ pdf ] [ site ] Toxicology

2010
Biochemical biomarkers in environmental studies – lessons learnt from enzymes catalase, glutathione S-transferase and cholinesterase in two crustacean species
Jemec A, Drobne D, Tišler T, Sepčić K
[ pdf ] [ site ] Environmental Science and Pollution Research

2010
Toxicity of abamectin to the terrestrial isopod Porcellio scaber (Isopoda, Crustacea)
Kolar L, Jemec A, van Gestel CAM, Valant J, Hrženjak R, Kožuh Eržen N, Zidar P
[ pdf ] [ site ] Ecotoxicology

2009
The sensitivity of two biochemical biomarkers in terrestrial isopods after short-term copper exposure
Jemec A
[ pdf ] [ site ] Acta Biologica Slovenica

2009
Hazardous potential of manufactured nanoparticles identified by in vivo assay
Valant J, Drobne D, Sepčić K, Jemec A, Kogej K, Kostanjšek R
[ pdf ] [ site ] Journal of Hazardous Materials

2009
In vivo screening to determine hazards of nanoparticles: Nanosized TiO2
Drobne D, Jemec A, Pipan-Tkalec Ž
[ pdf ] [ site ] Environmental Pollution

2008
Effects of ingested nano-sized titanium dioxide on terrestrial isopods (Porcellio scaber)
Jemec A, Drobne D, Remškar M, Sepčić K, Tišler T
[ pdf ] [ site ] Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

2008
Toxicity of imidacloprid to the terrestrial isopod Porcellio scaber (Isopoda, Crustacea)
Drobne D, Blažič M, Van Gestel CAM, Lešer V, Zidar P, Jemec A, Trebše P
[ pdf ] [ site ] Chemosphere

2007
The applicability of acetylcholinesterase and glutathione S-transferase in Daphnia magna toxicity test
Jemec A, Drobne D, Tišler T, Trebše P, Roš M, Sepčić K
[ pdf ] [ site ] Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology

2007
Biochemical biomarkers in chronically metal-stressed daphnids
Jemec A, Tišler T, Drobne D, Sepčić K, Jamnik P, Roš M
[ pdf ] [ site ] Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology

2007
Comparative toxicity of imidacloprid, of its commercial liquid formulation and of diazinon to a non-target arthropod, the microcrustacean Daphnia magna
Jemec A, Tišler T, Drobne D, Sepčić K, Fournier D, Trebše P
[ pdf ] [ site ] Chemosphere