Dr. Darka Šešlija Jovanović

Levels of education:
• Doctorate degree, Ph.D. (Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, 2005)
• Master’s degree, M.Sc. (Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, 1995)
• Bachelor’s degree, B.Sc. (Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, 1993)

During post-graduate studies, I received the scholarship from the Talent Fund of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Republic of Serbia.

I worked at the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, from 1994 to 1995.

I am employed at the IBISS since 1996.

My skills consist of performing selection experiments and I was involved in establishing experimental lines of bean weevil (Acanthoscelides obtectus) for different life-history traits since 1993. Nowadays, my main investigations include toxicity and repellence tests in pest insects (A. obtectus), exposed to essential oils (EO) and EO components.

I participated in realization of 2 PhD theses, and supervised 1 MSc thesis and numerous BSc theses defended at the Faculty of Biology of the University of Belgrade.

I am a member of the Entomological Society of Serbia and the Serbian Biological Society.

Participation in projects:
o “Population and biological aspects of natural selection“, from 1996 to 2000.
o “Adaptations in natural and laboratory populations“, from 2001 to 2005.
o “Physiological and evolutionary aspects of the stress response in natural and laboratory populations“, from 2006 to 2010.
o “Evolution in laboratory and adaptations in nature“, from 2011 to 2020.
o Internal SAIGE Proof of Concept “Thym protect - Thymol-impregnated cellulose acetate beads as bioinsecticide/repellent for protection of common bean seeds in storages“ in 2023/24.
o Science Fund Proof of Concept „NatuRep - Materials for controlled release of natural repellents produced in an environmentally friendly manner“ in 2024/25.