Minja Krstić, UP FAMNIT

General

Minja Krstić completed her Master’s degree in Nature Conservation at UP FAMNIT in 2022 and subsequently joined the same faculty as a researcher and teaching assistant.

Her current research focus is directed toward integrating citizen science into nature conservation projects, with an emphasis on international initiatives such as Step Change, BEPREP, and ProCoast.

You completed the Biodiversity study programme (later renamed Conservation Biology) at the undergraduate level and the Nature Conservation programme at the master’s level, both at University of Primorska Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies. What convinced you to continue your studies after obtaining your bachelor’s degree?

What convinced me most in both study programmes — Biodiversity and Nature Conservation — was the exceptionally well-structured curriculum. During my undergraduate studies, I acquired fundamental knowledge that I wanted to further develop at the master’s level. I also highly valued the combination of laboratory and field exercises, practical examples, and opportunities for student employment on projects that were available throughout the study programme. This practical experience gave me direct contact with the field and further strengthened my interest in continuing my studies in this area.

In addition, I greatly appreciated the extremely positive and supportive relationship between professors, teaching assistants, and students, which created a pleasant atmosphere and further contributed to my decision to continue studying at UP FAMNIT. The sense of belonging and the opportunity for direct communication with experts in the field were key values that motivated me to continue my studies in this respected and welcoming academic environment.

You are now also actively involved in the Molecular Ecology Group at University of Primorska Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies. What are your responsibilities within the group, and what have been the group’s most important research findings so far

Within the Molecular Ecology Group at UP FAMNIT, we are highly active in the fields of genetics, genomics, and nature conservation. My work within the group mainly focuses on citizen science, which plays a key role in raising public awareness about the importance of protecting wildlife species and the natural environment.

In this context, I have organized various events and workshops for different target groups, created promotional materials, conducted interviews, and edited recordings of wildlife obtained through camera traps and the SRNA application (Monitoring and Researching Nature with an Application). I have also actively promoted our projects on the group’s social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

In addition, I participate in fieldwork and laboratory work, where I contribute to the research activities of our group.

How do you see the future of research in molecular ecology, and what role do you see for yourself in this development?

The field of molecular ecology research is experiencing rapid and significant growth. I believe that research in this area is crucial for the future of nature conservation. The development of technologies and methodologies will continue to accelerate, enabling a better understanding of genetic diversity and ecological processes in natural environments.

In this future, I would like to play an active role both through conducting research and through education and public awareness activities that highlight the importance of molecular ecology for nature conservation.