Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad

Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Environmental Protection

Marija Lesjak, PhD

Full 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

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

2023-today: Full professor, Faculty of Sciences University of Novi Sad, Serbia
2018-2023: 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

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

Serbia-USA Partnership: Treating Iron Deficiency Anemia with Innovative Nutraceuticals – ANEMIAFOCUS. The Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia (2025-2026)
Biochemically assisted garden roses’ selection aiming towards the increased quality and marketability of producers in Vojvodina. Autonomous Province of Vojvodina Provincial Secretariat for Higher Education and Scientific Research, Serbia (2021-2024)
Development of Industrial Symbiosis in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina through the Valorization of Fruit Processing By-Products Using Green Technologies, Autonomous Province of Vojvodina Provincial Secretariat for Higher Education and Scientific Research, Serbia (2021-2024)

Živanović, N., Mijatović Jovin, V., Andrejić Višnjić, B., Pintać Šarac, D., Ćujić, D., Simin, N., Lesjak, M. (2025): Innovative Plant-Based Nutraceuticals: Enhancing Iron Bioavailability to Address Iron Deficiency Anaemia. Antioxidants. 14: 1335.
Pintać Šarac, D., Torović, Lj., Orčić, D., Mimica-Dukić, N., Živanović, N., Đorđević, T., Lesjak, M. (2024): Where have all the polyphenols gone? Check your filter! Journal of Food Composition and Analysis. 130: 106104.
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. 58: 743–753.
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.
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.

Dr. Lesjak is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards and scholarships, both in Serbia and abroad. Notable among them are the UCL Overseas Research Scholarship, the Dr. Willmar Schwabe Award for Young Researchers, the L’Oréal-UNESCO National Fellowship for Women in Science, the Best Young Scientist Award from the Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, as well as the Special “Dr. Zoran Đinđić” Award for outstanding contributions to science.
Dr. Lesjak also founded two innovative start-up companies, HerbElixa and FeJuice, whose products are based on scientifically verified evidence and aimed at promoting health through the use of natural resources. Her entrepreneurial initiatives have been recognized and awarded with numerous awards both nationally and internationally.