17
Mar
The Biological Centre hosted the meeting of young researchers and their mentors from the National Institute of Biology and the Department of Biology at the Biotechnical Faculty
On 7 March 2011, just one day prior to the day dedicated to women, the first joint meeting of young researchers and their mentors from the National Institute of Biology and the Department of Biology at the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana took place at the Biology Centre in Ljubljana.
The creation of new fundamental knowledge in the field of biology and similar nature- and environment-related sciences and facilitating this knowledge in order to improve the quality of life, to support environmental policies and to provide the development of science present the core mission of the National Institute of Biology and the Department of Biology at the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana. Research and education in the field of sciences related to life and nature put great responsibility on both institutions in order to create professional and scientific foundations and strengthen the social climate for permanent harmonic symbiosis between the man and nature.
Both institutions are proud of the fact to be able to welcome an increasing number of young researchers every year. 38 young researchers study at the National Institute of Biology; 33 of them study in accordance with the contract concluded with the Slovenian Research Agency, 5 of them work in the economy sector. 22 young researchers at the Department of Biology are post-graduate students.
With the main aim to enable young researchers from both institutions, which operate within the scope of the Biology Centre, to get to know each other better, present their research work and make contacts for future project and pedagogical cooperation, the meeting of young researchers and their mentors took place on 7 March 2011.
The event was solemnly opened by Prof. Dr. Tamara Lah Turnšek, director of NIB, and Prof. Dr. Gregor Anderluh, vice dean of the Department of Biology at the Biotechnical Faculty. They presented the 2000 Young Researchers Project, which is one of the science policy instruments of the Slovenian Research Agency. The programme has been successfully in progress since 1985 and has significantly contributed to stimulating research, promoting the participation of younger researches in research groups at the institutes, promoting pedagogical work at universities and stimulating the increase in the number of highly qualified medical practitioners – researchers at clinics and also increasing the HR potential for the requirements of other public and private sectors carriers.
At the meeting, young researchers who are in their final year of postdoctoral study, presented their research work by giving short lectures.
Presentations made by the young researchers from the National Institute of Biology:
• Maarten de Groot: Being a young researcher in Slovenia - a Dutch perspective. Mentor: Dr. Meta Virant Doberlet.
• Tjaša Kogovšek: Trophic ecology of jellyfish in the coastal waters. Mentor: Prof. Dr. Alenka Malej
• Petra Nikolič: The mysterious world of phytoplasma. Mentor: Prof. Dr. Marina Dermastia.
• Franja Pajk: Thermal sensitivity of water fleas. Mentor: Dr. Tatjana Simčič.
• Jana Petković: Snack with TiO2 - the decision is yours. Mentor: Prof. Dr. Metka Filipič.
Presentations made by the young researchers from the Department of Biology at the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana:
• Domen Jaklič: Antimicrobial activity of larval excretions/secretions of the blowfly, Lucilia sericata. Mentor: Prof. Dr. Nina Gunde Cimerman
• Špela Mechora: Selenium content in water plants. Mentor: Dr. Mateja Germ
• Rok Tkavc: Microbial populations of brine shrimp, Artemia sp., and selected brine microbial mats. Mentor: Prof. Dr. Nina Gunde Cimerman
• Ana Zovko: Biological activities of synthetic analogues of poly-APS. Mentor: Prof. Dr. Tom Turk
This year, two young researchers and award winners who have been granted the scholarship within the “For Women in Science” programme, provided by L’Oreal Slovenia, the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO and the Slovenian Science Foundation, also presented their work:
- Biserka Bakrač from the Department of Biology giving a lecture on: Specific binding of equinatoxin II, cytolytic protein from the sea anemone Actinia equina, on sphingomyelin. Mentor: Prof. Dr. Gregor Anderluh
- Ana Rotter from NIB, who presented a lecture on: Systems biology at NIB-FITO: what and how we have learned. Her mentor is Prof. Dr. Kristina Gruden.
