Marija Lesjak

Marija Lesjak, PhD

Associate Professor

Chair of Biochemistry and Chemistry of Natural Products

CONTACT

University of Novi Sad Faculty of Sciences

Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Environmental Protection

Office: 15/III

Adress: Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3

21000 Novi Sad, Serbia

Tel:+ 381 21 485 2755

e-mail: marija.lesjak@dh.uns.ac.rs

Personal webpage: http://www.dh.uns.ac.rs/lafib/english/index.php

SCOPUS Author ID: 35484356200

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9764-9903

EDUCATION

  • 2015. PhD in Molecular Biology, University College London, London, UK
  • 2011. PhD in Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences University of Novi Sad, Serbia
  • 2008. MSc in Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences University of Novi Sad, Serbia
  • 2007. BSc in Chemistry – Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences University of Novi Sad, Serbia

SCIENTIFIC AND ACADEMIC POSITIONS

  • 2018-today: Associate professor, Faculty of Sciences University of Novi Sad, Serbia
  • 2013-2018. Assistant professor, Faculty of Sciences University of Novi Sad, Serbia
  • 2012-2013. Research Associate, Faculty of Sciences University of Novi Sad, Serbia
  • 2010-2012. Research Assistant, Faculty of Sciences University of Novi Sad, Serbia
  • 2007-2010. Junior Researcher, Faculty of Sciences University of Novi Sad, Serbia

TEACHING

  • Biochemistry of nucleic acids,
  • Structure and function of nucleic acids
  • Biochemistry of antioxidant systems
  • Cell cultures in biochemistry
  • Biochemistry of free radicals and natural antioxidants
  • Selected experimental methods for testing of biological activity
  • Metabolism and pharmacological significance of essential oils
  • Metabolism and biological significance of arachidonic acid

TEXTBOOKS

  • Kuhajda, K., Beara, I., Lesjak, M. Experimental biochemistry, (in Serbian), University of Novi Sad Faculty of Sciences, Novi Sad, Serbia, 2013

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RESEARCH FIELDS

  • Estimation of biological activity of natural products
  • Iron metabolism

SELECTED PROJECTS

  • Biologically active natural products as potential sources of new drugs and dietary supplements, Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia (2011-2019)
  • Biologically active components and medicinal potential of functional foods grown in Vojvodina, Provincial Secretariat for Science and Technological Development, Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia (2016-2019)
  • Cross-border cooperation in development of a novel herbal drug targeting Helicobacter pylori (HELICO), Hungary-Serbia IPA Cross-border Co-operation Programme (2013-2015).

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

  1. Lesjak, M., Balesaria, S., Skinner, V., Debnam, E. S., Srai, S. K. S. (2018): Quercetin inhibits intestinal non-haem iron absorption by regulating iron metabolism genes in the tissues. European Journal of Nutrition. doi: 10.1007/s00394-018-1680-7.
  2. Lesjak, M., Beara, I., Simin, N., Pintać, D., Majkić, T., Bekvalac, K., Orčić, D., Mimica-Dukić, N. (2018): Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of quercetin and its derivatives. Journal of Functional Foods. 40: 68–75.
  3. Harmati, M., Gyukity-Sebestyen, E., Dobra, G., Terhes, G., Urban, E., Decsi, G., Mimica-Dukić, N., Lesjak, M., Simin, N., Pap, B., Nemeth, I. B., Buzas, K. (2017): Binary mixture of satureja hortensis and origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum essential oils: in vivo therapeutic efficiency against Helicobacter pylori infection. Helicobacter. 22: e12350.
  4. Lesjak, M., Hoque R., Balesaria, S., Skinner, V., Debnam, E. S., Srai, K. S. S., Sharp, P. A. (2014): Quercetin inhibits intestinal iron absorption and ferroportin transporter expression in vivo and in vitro. PLoS ONE. 9: e102900.
  5. Lesjak, M., Beara, I., Orčić, D., Knežević, P., Simin, N., Svirčev, E., Mimica–Dukić, N. (2014): Phytochemical composition and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities of Juniperus macrocarpa Sibth. et Sm. Journal of Functional Foods. 7: 257–268.

additional information

  • Special Award “Dr Zoran Đinđić” for young scientist and researcher for the overall scientific contribution; awarding institution is University of Novi Sad, Serbia (2018)
  • Second place in „Business Idea Competition“ finals with start-up FeJuice; awarding institution is European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) (2018)
  • Scholarship “Start Up for Science”; awarding institution is Centre for leadership development in Serbia; endowing sponsor Company Philip Morris Operations A. D. Niš, Serbia (2016)
  • L’Oreal-UNESCO For Women In Science national fellowship in Serbia; awarding institutions are Commission of the Republic of Serbia for UNESCO, Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia and L’Oréal Balkan (2016)
  • University of Novi Sad Faculty of Sciences Award for the most promising young researcher (2015)
  • Willmar Schwabe Research Scholarship for Young Scientist; awarding institution is Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research (2011)
  • “UCL Overseas Research Scholarship“ for PhD studies at University College London; awarding institution is UCL London, UK (2011–2015).