ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
SNEŽANA MILJANIĆ
chair
University of Zagreb Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry
Snežana Miljanić is a full professor at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry. She graduated Chemistry in 1997, obtained her MSc degree in 2001 and PhD degree in Chemistry in 2004 at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Science. She was awarded a DAAD scholarship (Dresden University of Technology, Germany) and a Marie Curie fellowship (University of Paris XII, France). She has been employed at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Division of Analytical Chemistry since 1997. She teaches several courses in analytical chemistry and vibrational spectroscopy for undergraduate, master, and doctoral students. Her research activities involve vibrational (infrared and Raman) spectroscopy, with particular interest in development and application of the surface-enhanced Raman scattering technique. She was the Head of the Division of Analytical Chemistry at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Science (2019-2021), the Head of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Science (2021-2025) and the Vice President of the Council of Natural Sciences at the University of Zagreb (2021-2025). Since 2015 she has been the Head of the Section of Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy of the Croatian Chemical Society, and the representative of the Croatian Chemical Society in the EuChemS Division of Analytical Chemistry. Since 2023 she has been a member of the Steering Committee and the secretary of the EuChemS Division of Analytical Chemistry.
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NIVES GALIĆ
co-chair
University of Zagreb Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry
Nives Galić is a full professor at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry. She graduated Chemistry in 1992 and obtained her MSc degree in 1995 and PhD degree in 1999 at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Science. She spent one year as a postdoctoral fellow at Laboratory for mass spectrometry, University of Liege, Belgium, and had short visits to universities in Bratislava, Prague, Warsaw, Budapest, Graz and Vienna as visiting professor. Since 1992 she works at Division of Analytical Chemistry, University of Zagreb Faculty of Science. She has several courses (Analytical Chemistry, Instrumental analytical methods, Chromatography etc.) for students of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral studies. Her scientific activities include identification of organic compounds, metal and inclusion complexes in solid state and in solution, using UV-Vis spectroscopy, spectrofluorimetry, and mass spectrometry. For last several years, her research interest is focused on pharmaceutical analysis, including drug-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes, and identification of degradation products using LC-HRMS system. She was (2011-2017) and currently is the Head of the Division of Analytical Chemistry at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Science, a member of editorial board of Journal of Spectroscopy since 2011, and a coordinator for CEEPUS network Teaching and Learning Bioanalysis for Croatia. She is a member of Croatian Chemical Society since 1992 and a National Representative in Analytical Chemistry Division IUPAC since 2024.
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PETAR KASSAL
co-chair
University of Zagreb Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology
Petar Kassal is an associate professor at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology (FCET). He received his MSc degree in Chemical Engineering from FCET in 2010 and his PhD degree in Chemistry from the same institution in 2015, with short training at the University of California San Diego. He teaches Inorganic Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, and Chemical Sensors and Biosensors at the undergraduate and graduate levels. His research encompasses electrochemical and optical sensor and biosensor development, electroanalysis, environmental chemistry, wearable sensors, smart bandages, and functional nanomaterials, with a current focus on scalable (bio)chemical sensor fabrication technologies. He has received several science and innovation awards, including the National Science Award of the Republic of Croatia. He is currently Head of the Department of General and Inorganic Chemistry at FCET, as well as Head of the newly established Laboratory for Flexible Printed Electronics and Sensors. He is a board member of the Croatian Chemical Society and a member of the International Society of Electrochemistry and the Croatian Society of Chemical Engineers.
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ADRIANA
KENĐEL
University of Zagreb Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry
Adriana Kenđel is an associate professor at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry. She graduated Chemistry in 2008 and obtained her PhD degree in Chemistry in 2013 at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Science. She has been employed at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Division of Analytical Chemistry since 2008. She teaches several courses in analytical chemistry for undergraduate, master, and doctoral students. Her research interest is focused on the structural analysis of molecules by infrared and Raman spectroscopy, with a special emphasis on the investigation of interactions of small molecules with DNA/RNA polynucleotides using the method of surface-enhanced Raman scattering and the development of SERS substrates. She has been a member of Croatian Chemical Society since 2008.
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LEA
KUKOČ
University of Split Faculty of Chemistry and Technology
Lea Kukoč is an associate professor at the University of Split Faculty of Chemistry and Technology, in the Department of Analytical and Environmental Chemistry. She graduated Chemical Technology in 2002 at the University of Split Faculty of Chemistry and Technology, and obtained her PhD degree in 2009 at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Chemical Engineering. She has been employed at the University of Split Faculty of Chemistry and Technology since 2002. She teaches analytical chemistry and instrumental methods of analysis for undergraduate and master students in Chemistry, Chemical Technology, and Pharmacy, as well as flow injection techniques for doctoral students. Her research interests include miniaturization of automated analytical systems, flow injection techniques, and the design and development of analytical methods, with particular interest in development of methods for the determination of pharmaceutical active compounds. In recent years, her scientific interests have expanded to the separation of compounds using polymer inclusion membranes (PIM). Since 2023, she has been a visiting researcher at the University of Melbourne, School of Chemistry. She currently serves as the head of the Department of Analytical and Environmental Chemistry at the University of Split, Faculty of Chemistry and Technology.
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IRENA
CIGLENEČKI-JUŠIĆ
Division for Marine and Environmental Research,
Ruđer Bošković Institute
Irena Ciglenečki-Jušić is a senior scientist at the Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, and an associate professor at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Science. She obtained her PhD in Chemistry–Oceanology from the University of Zagreb in 1997 and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Maryland, USA, in 2001, under the supervision of Prof. G.R. Helz. Her research focuses on marine and environmental chemistry, with particular expertise in biogeochemical processes and water system chemistry. She has collaborated with several leading international research groups and has led the Laboratory for Physical Oceanography and Chemistry of Water Systems at RBI (formerly Laboratory for Physical-Chemical Separation) since 2011. Since 2017, she has headed the accredited laboratory for TOC, DOC, and POC measurements in natural waters, including seawater, operating in accordance with HRN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2007 standards. She is an active member of the Croatian Chemical Society, American Chemical Society, CIESM, ISE, and the Scientific Council for Natural Science Research of the Adriatic Sea at the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts.
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IRENA BRČIĆ
KARAČONJI
Institute for Medical Research and
Occupational Health
Irena Brčić Karačonji, ERT, is a Scientific Advisor, Head of Division of Toxicology, and Deputy Director of the Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb. She graduated Medical Biochemistry in 1998 at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, received MSc degree in Toxicology in 2004 at the Faculty of Science and PhD degree in Biomedicine and Health Science in 2010 again at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Croatia. As an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka she teaches psychoactive substances in food. Her research focuses on the development of gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric methods for determining bioactive compounds in food and biological samples, toxicity assessments of natural compounds, and identification of drug abuse in selected populations. She is Associate Editor of the journal Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology and Academic Editor of the journal Food Safety and Health. Dr. Brčić Karačonji is a European Registered Toxicologist (ERT) and member of the Presidency of the Croatian Society of Toxicology.
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SAŠA
GRUBEŠIĆ
Hikma Pharmaceuticals
Saša Grubešić is a Team Leader in Analytical Development and Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Method Development at the Research and Development Department of Hikma Pharmaceuticals. He earned his degree in Analytical Chemistry from the Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb in 2003. He began his career at the Ruđer Bošković Institute, working in the Laboratory for Analytical Chemistry and Biogeochemistry of Organic Compounds, where he specialized in HPLC, LC-MS, and GC-MS analysis of trace environmental pollutants. In 2006, he transitioned to Pliva Ltd., joining the Research and Development Centre as part of the Laboratory for GC and GC-MS analysis. From 2011 to 2024, Saša contributed to Xellia Pharmaceuticals’ Research and Development division. In 2018, he enrolled at COTRUGLI Business School and earned his Executive MBA (EMBA) in 2021. In September 2024, he joined Hikma Pharmaceuticals, where he currently leads a team of scientists focused on developing advanced chromatographic methods, including online SPE-QQQ and 2D-QTOF techniques. His expertise centers on trace analysis and the structural elucidation of pharmaceutical impurities.
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Administrative Support
DANIJEL
NAMJESNIK
University of Zagreb Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry
Danijel Namjesnik finished PhD study at the Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb (Physical chemistry, 2019). Employed as expert advisor at the Division of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb. Research interests cover physical chemistry of interfaces, colloid and nano particles, electrical interfacial layer, surface complexation, adsorption equilibrium, thermochemistry, and electrochemistry. General interests in data acquisition and analysis, electronics, embedded systems, design and construction of scientific instruments, software development for scientific instruments. Other interests and experience include general IT support, web design, and scientific publishing. Currently working as a production editor in scientific journal Croatica Chemica Acta. Participated in organization of more than 20 scientific conferences. Member of the Croatian Chemical Society.
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PETRA
PETROVIĆ POPOVIĆ
University of Zagreb Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry
Petra Petrović Popović obtained her master’s degree in chemistry at the Department of Chemistry, University of Zagreb Faculty of Science in 2021. She is currently a PhD candidate and research and teaching assistant in the field of analytical chemistry, focusing on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy and vibrational characterization of G-quadruplex structures and their interactions with small molecules. She has experience in organizing scientific events, including serving as the chair of the 8th Faculty of Science PhD Student Symposium and as a member of several other conference organizing committees.
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DANIJELA
GILJEVIĆ
University of Zagreb Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry
Danijela Giljević has been working as an administrator at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Science, for 25 years. In recent years, she has been involved in organizing international scientific conferences and events hosted by the Croatian Chemical Society.
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SLAĐANA
MILJANIĆ
University of Zagreb Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry
Slađana Miljanić holds a degree from the Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb. She currently serves as the Head of Administration for both the Department of Biochemistry and the Department of Organic Chemistry within the Department of Chemistry, University of Zagreb Faculty of Science.
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ANDREA
USENIK
University of Zagreb Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry
Andrea Usenik is an assistant at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Division of Physical Chemistry. She graduated in the field of chemistry in 2019 and obtained her PhD degree in the field of (supramolecular) physical chemistry in 2023 from the University of Zagreb Faculty of Science. She teaches several courses in physical chemistry and chemical thermodynamics for undergraduate and graduate students. Her main research interests include thermodynamics of supramolecular host-guest reactions, the solvent effect on the corresponding thermodynamic reaction parameters, and most recently detailed photophysical investigations of the complexation reactions including (intrinsically) fluorescent macrocyclic receptors. In her studies, she employs numerous physico-chemical and analytical methods, such as isothermal titration microcalorimetry, UV and NMR spectroscopy, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements. Andrea currently serves as the head of the Laboratory for Spectrophotometry at the Department of Chemistry. She is a part of the organizing committee of several international scientific conferences organized by the Croatian Chemical Society and works in the CCS office, focused on graphical design, preparation of printed materials, activity promotion through social media and collaboration with young sections of the european chemical societies through EYCN/EuChemS.
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