Dijana Smailagić

I am a person who likes to explore, optimistic and very creative. Since childhood I have been interested in biology, in elementary school I participated in competitions, I liked walking in nature and study the living world in it. Since I was born in the centre of Belgrade, I always wanted to get closer to nature, especially to animals and plants. I currently have three cats. I studied at the Faculty of Agriculture in Belgrade, Department of Fruit and Wine Growing, and then completed a Master's degree in Biology at the Faculty of Sciences in Novi Sad. Now I am in the last year of my PhD studies at the Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, working in the Department of Plant Physiology at the Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", an institute of national importance for the Republic of Serbia.

My research focuses on plant interactions, allelopathy and bioherbicides. I am currently working on my PhD thesis on phloretin, a phenolic compound from apples with allelopathic activity, and pioneering the elucidation of the basic mechanisms of its phytotoxic effect. I frequently attend conferences and courses abroad, such as the course "Plant communication and trophic interactions: from plant behavior to sustainable cropping" organized by "The Research Schools Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences" in Sweden (2023). I work in a very good team that is open to educating students and introducing them to the world of science.

I have expertise in plant tissue culture and laboratory work as well as excellent computer and technical skills.

At the "4th International Conference on Plant Biology" held in Belgrade on 06-08 October 2022, organized by the Serbian Plant Physiology Society, I received the third prize for the best poster presentation by young participants.

In my spare time, I enjoy art and learning foreign languages.