Latest Academic Works
Nanoengineering for enhanced toxic metals adsorption: Nanoengineering for Enhanced Toxic Metals Adsorption: From Synthesis to Biorecognition
Environmental contamination by toxic metals—such as Pb²⁺, Cr³⁺, and Hg²⁺—and organometallic species like monomethylmercury (MeHg) presents one of the most persistent global challenges due to their bioaccumulation, long-term toxicity, and resistance to degradation. This thesis addresses this critical issue through a multidisciplinary approach combining nanotechnology, environmental chemistry, biosensor engineering, and …
Synthesis and investigation of organofluorosilicate and organofluorogermanate species
Fluorine, though abundant on Earth, is not readily available in a form suitable for organic synthesis. While fluoride salts like fluorite exist, they have limited reactivity due to solubility properties. Converting fluorite to hydrofluoric acid (HF) or fluorine gas (F2) increases reactivity but introduces significant safety concerns due to the …
Genetic variability and lead exposure biomarkers
The thesis investigates associations between the biomarkers of lead (Pb) exposure (and mercury (Hg), where applicable) and genetic variability in in vulnerable populations, including pregnant women and their newborns from Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia, as well as Slovenian men of reproductive age. The research utilizes data from the Public Health …
Development of aerosolizator for disinfection of radiological devices and rooms using steriplant©n and assessment
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a diagnostic method that is used for broad range of hospitalized patient, emergency patients, chemotherapy treated and as well the patients that may have infectious diseases. Because the examinations of different patients are usually performed with the same equipment in the same environment, the surfaces …
Explainable machine learning techniques for applications in life sciences
As ecological, agricultural, and biological disciplines face mounting challenges like biodiversity loss, food chain disruption, and climate change, leveraging machine learning (ML) to process complex and heterogeneous data becomes increasingly vital. This dissertation explores the potential of ML in combination with explainability approaches for enhancing research in life sciences, specifically …
Piezoelectric polymer films made of polyl-lactic acid for biomedical use
In the field of biomedical materials, conventional approaches to tissue engineering and wound healing face limitations that encourage the exploration of innovative treatments. This work presents multifaceted exploration of piezoelectric polylactic acid (PLA) films intended for biomedical applications, from the optimization of the conditions for efficient film preparation to the …
Licit and illicit drugs in waste- and environmental waters: epidemiological and environmental implications
The analysis of drug residues in waste and environmental waters offers valuable insights into the epidemiological and environmental implications of drug use. This study employs a wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) approach to estimate the use of licit and illicit drugs and new psychoactive substances (NPS) among both general and specific populations. …
Hybrid sol-gel coatings based on different acrylate derivatives for protection of aluminium alloy and steel against corrosion and biofouling
The subject of the doctoral dissertation is the development of coatings with improved protection of metals against corrosion and antifouling protection on structural steel S355 and aluminum alloy AA7075. S355 is a widely used metal in the construction, while AA7075 is mostly used in the transportation industry. Although they exhibit …
In silico approach to understanding the mechanism of action and chemical toxicity prediction on human aromatase enzyme
Aromatase is an enzyme member of the cytochrome P450 superfamily coded by the CYP19A1 gene. Its main biological function in humans is the conversion of androgens into estrogens, transforming androstenedione into estrone and testosterone into estradiol. This enzyme is present in several tissues, and it has a key role in …
Investigation of the environmental acceptability of geotechnical composites, made from different recycled materials investigation of the environmental acceptability of geotechnical composites, made from different recycled materials
Current and especially past industrial and mining activities, including underground and open pit mining, have often resulted in soil pollution that has become a global and alarming environmental problem. Among contaminants, heavy metals and metalloids are under environmental scrutiny due to their potential toxicity, persistence, and because they can be …