Dr. Sanja Manitašević Jovanović

Education levels:
• Doctorate, Ph.D. (Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, 2010)
• Bachelor’s degree, B.Sc. (Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, 2003)

I have been employed at the Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" at the University of Belgrade, from 2004.

Throughout my scientific career, I have primarily researched in the field of plant evolutionary ecology, focused on investigating various aspects of plant (Iris pumila) adaptive response to spatial and temporal variability of environmental factors, primarily light and temperature. In this context, I have been studying biochemical adaptations, including heat stress proteins as well as enzymatic and non-enzymatic components of antioxidant protection. A part of my scientific work concerns the study of the evolution of flower traits, including flower color polymorphism and the diversity of flower traits involved in attracting pollinators.

In addition to my primary research, I have also investigated the role of the glucocorticoid receptor in cellular response to stress, and currently, I am investigating plant defense compounds as a potential biological insecticide against pest insects.

I have participated in the realization of two PhD theses, and as a mentor, I supervised one PhD thesis and one MSc thesis defended at the Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade.
I am a member of the Serbian Society for Molecular Biology and the Serbian Plant Physiology Society.

Participation in projects:
- “Modulation of glucocorticoid receptor function during cellular stress response“, 2004 to 2005.
- “Psychobiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PBPTSD), an FP6 project funded by European Commission, 2004-2007
- “Glucocorticoid receptor and heat shock proteins expression and function in pathophysiological states and stress“, 2006-2010.
- “Evolution in laboratory and adaptations in nature“, 2011 to 2020.
- 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.