Biography

I developed a passion for biodiversity in my childhood, growing up in a small town in southern Herzegovina, a unique karst region within the Dinaric Alps. My academic journey began at the University of Novi Sad (Serbia), where I earned my PhD studying the diversity of testate amoebae in Herzegovina—marking a pioneering exploration of these protists in the Dinaric Alps. Following my doctoral studies, I pursued postdoctoral research in Switzerland, where I focused on the diversity of testate amoebae from the Jura Mountains and employed molecular barcoding techniques to clarify phylogenetic relationships. Later, I moved to China, where I continued my biodiversity research of testate amoebae in the subtropical and tropical regions of East and Southeast Asia.

I might consider myself as one of those people who is “born to be a biologist”. I still remember the thrill of collecting plants for my herbarium, immersing myself in the world of botany rather than engaging in typical childhood pastimes. Born on April 18, 1990, in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, my early years were profoundly affected by the civil war that broke out just before my birth. Once the conflict ended, my family moved to Trebinje, a picturesque town in southern Herzegovina. It is a captivating historical region nestled in the Dinaric Alps, not far from the Adriatic Sea. Its unique geography and climate create a rich tapestry of biodiversity that enchants visitors and researchers alike. The landscape, marked by dramatic mountain ranges and intriguing karst formations, offers a visual feast that reflects the area’s natural beauty.

As you journey through Eastern Herzegovina, you’ll notice the climate shifts from Mediterranean warmth in the south to a more temperate continental feel in the north. This variation in climate creates a range of ecosystems, each teeming with life. The karst topography fosters the development of specialized habitats, making it a sanctuary for numerous endemic species. Here, rare and endangered plants flourish, coexisting with a diverse array of animal life, creating a vibrant ecological community. One of the region’s most striking features is its sparse population. This low density allows nature to thrive, preserving the delicate balance of its ecosystems. The untouched landscapes are a testament to the area’s commitment to maintaining its natural heritage. For biologists and nature lovers, Herzegovina is a treasure trove of opportunities for exploration and study.

This region became the backdrop of my formative years, igniting a lifelong fascination with biodiversity that has shaped my perspective ever since. Driven by my passion, I meticulously created a personal herbarium that showcases around 140 plant species native to this remarkable area. Each specimen was carefully identified using illustrated monographs dedicated to the flora of the Dinaric Mountains. This hands-on experience not only deepened my appreciation for the region’s rich endemic species but also honed my skills in observation and classification. Every pressed leaf and vibrant flower in my herbarium tells a story of the interconnectedness of life in this diverse ecosystem. As I reflect on those formative years, I realize how profoundly this journey has influenced my understanding of nature and my commitment to its preservation.

Although Herzegovina is a paradise for biodiversity research, living in this rural region offers limited opportunities for quality education. This prompted my family and me to move to Novi Sad, the cultural capital of Serbia, in 2003. Here, I began a new chapter in my education, completing the last two grades of elementary school and high school. During this time, my passion for biology flourished alongside my formal education. The well-stocked bookstores in the city allowed me to explore and read numerous books on the subject. As my interests deepened, I started several blogs in Serbian dedicated to biodiversity, where I shared my findings and insights. I also became a contributor to the most prominent biological website in Serbian, publishing several dozen articles. This journey not only connected me with like-minded individuals but also inspired me to delve deeper into the wonders of the natural world around me.

My story takes place in the 21st century, but it closely resembles the tales of naturalists from the 19th century. The first sign of this narrative development is that my interest in protistology does not stem from the curiosity of a specific research team at the university where I studied, but rather from my own search for organisms that would lead me deeper into the story of eukaryotic phylogeny. Indeed, there were no experts in protistology at the University of Novi Sad at that time. I realized that the algae I had extensively read about and written about online during high school did not provide a satisfactory group of organisms for addressing the phylogenetic problems that intrigued me. In fact, they are much better studied than heterotrophic protists. This led me to consider focusing my research on amoeboid protists, as they are a poorly understood group that is crucial for grasping the deep evolutionary history of eukaryotes. I began to read intensively about various groups of amoebae, but it was the photographs of testate amoebae I found online that captured my attention the most, due to the beauty of the shells produced by these organisms. Given that testate amoebae are relatively large protists, ubiquitous in diverse ecosystems, and often found in dense populations, I felt these were compelling reasons to embark on the adventure of collecting and studying them.

A significant moment in my career was the publication of the book “General Protistology” in October 2014, which coincided with my enrollment in master’s studies in zoology. The book provides a detailed overview of the general characteristics of protists, focusing on cell biology, morphology, physiology, ecology, and biogeography. It examines the diverse forms and functions of these organisms, highlighting their unique adaptations and ecological roles. Through a comprehensive approach, it aims to enhance the understanding of protists and their significance in various environments. This foundational knowledge is essential for both students and researchers interested in the complexities of life at the microscopic level. The following year, I defended my master’s thesis, in which I proposed a new classification system that offers fresh insights into the evolutionary history of excavate protists.

Given that there were no protistologists in Serbia, Dr. Laszlo Barsi kindly agreed to be my mentor. I had previously conducted research on testate amoebae in his laboratory over the past few years. As a nematologist, he is well-versed in microscopic techniques and morphometric analyses, which closely aligned with the requirements for my doctoral thesis. It was an opportunity for me to actively return to researching the biodiversity of Herzegovina, this time focusing on testate amoebae. I organized field research to collect specimens, utilizing light microscopy for detailed morphometric analyses and exploring shell ultrastructure through scanning electron microscopy. While working on the research of testate amoeba diversity in Herzegovina, I also intensively studied these protists in Serbia, Croatia, France, and Northern Ireland. This parallel research allowed me to gain a broader understanding of their distribution and ecology across different environments.

A significant turning point in my career came when Professor Edward A.D. Mitchell invited me for postdoctoral studies at the University of Neuchâtel in Switzerland, a leading laboratory specializing in the taxonomy of testate amoebae. I was awarded the prestigious “Government Excellence Scholarship” by the Swiss Confederation, which allowed me to join his esteemed team. During my time in Switzerland, I explored the peatlands and forests of the Jura Mountains, a region historically significant in protistology. This area is where renowned Swiss scientist Eugene Penard described numerous testate amoeba species in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. My research in the Jura involved comprehensive morphometric and molecular analyses of various pseudocryptic species. This work led to the exciting discovery of several new species, reinforcing the notion that some morphotypes I encountered in the Balkans and other parts of Europe indeed represent previously unidentified species. The insights gained from analyzing the Jura populations were invaluable, deepening my understanding of these organisms and equipping me with essential molecular methods for studying the phylogeny of testate amoebae.

The further development of my career took me to the subtropical and tropical regions of Asia, where I became acquainted with testate amoebae from these exotic and poorly studied areas of the world. During this phase of my research, my travels to remote and underexplored locations allowed me to discover rare species that had not been the focus of modern studies. Namely, I became a postdoctoral researcher in the ecology laboratory at Shenzhen MSU-BIT University in Guangdong Province, China. In addition to my research, I am deeply passionate about education. At Shenzhen, I developed a teaching program for undergraduate and master’s students, introducing three new courses, including “Biology and Ecology of Testate Amoebae.” This course is particularly notable as it is the first university course in the world dedicated exclusively to this fascinating group of organisms. My goal is to inspire the next generation of biologists while continuing to uncover the mysteries of life.

Education and Research