Education
- 1987: L’Institut National de Science et Récherche Médicale (INSERM), Paris, France: post-doctoral training in medical molecular genetics (Prof. André Bué’s laboratory).
- 1986: Technische Universität Graz, Institut für Biotechnologie, Graz, Austria: post-doctoral training in gene technology (Prof. Helmut Schwab’s laboratory).
- 1979: Ph.D. in Biochemistry, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, Faculty of Medicine (MF UL).
- 1977 – 1978: Zentalinstitut für Mikrobiologie und experimentelle Therapie (ZIMET), German Academy of Sciences, Jena, DDR: one-year pre-doctoral study in steroid biochemistry (Prof. Kurt Schubert’s laboratory).
- 1977: M.Sci. in Biochemistry, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology (FKKT) & Faculty of Medicine (MF UL).
- 1974: Univ. Dipl. Chem., University of Ljubljana (UL), Slovenia, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Diploma in Organic Chemistry.
Employment and Titles
- 2018: reactivation to the position of the Head of the Medical Centre for Molecular Biology (MCMB), Faculty of Medicine UL.
- 2017: regular retirement and par-time employment at the Institue of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine UL: Scientific Councilor and Coordinator of the EC Interreg project TRANS-GLIOMA.
- 1992 – 2017: Head of the Medical Centre for Molecular Biology (MCMB), Faculty of Medicine UL.
- 1988 – 2011: Head of the Laboratory of Biosynthesis and Biotransformations (L11), National Institute of Chemistry (NIC / KI), Ljubljana: par-time employment.
- 1984 – 1992: Head of the Laboratory of gene technology and molecular genetics, Faculty of Medicine UL, Institute of Biochemistry.
- Since 1974: Teaching Assistant of Biochemistry (1974), Assitant Professor (), Associated Porfessor () and Full Professor (1991) at the Faculty of Medicine UL, Institute of Biochemistry.
Current Position
- Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University Doctoral study on BIOMEDICINE, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine.
- Scientific Councilor at the Faculty of Medicine UL, Institute of Biochemistry.
- Head of the Medical Centre of Molecular Biology (MCMB), Faculty of Medicine UL.
Management and Organization
- 1992 – 2017, and since 2018: Head of the Medical Centre for Molecular Biology, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine.
- 2015-2017: Program Leader of the national research programa P1-0390 Functional Genomics and Biotechnology for Helath (University of Ljubljana, Faculty od Medicine).
- 2004-2014: Program Leader of the interinstitutional (MCMB/MF & L11/NIC) national research program P1-0104 Functional Genomics and Biotechnology for Health (University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine & National Institute of Chemistry).
- 2004 – 2009: Coordinator and Program Leader of the Slovenian Interinstitutional Centre of Excellence (CoE) “Biotechnology with Pharmacy”, EC European Funds for Regional Development & Slovenian Governement.
- 1988 – 2011: Head of the Laboratory of Biosynthesis and Biotransformations (L11), National Institute of Chemistry (NIC / KI), Ljubljana: joint research team of researchers from the National Institute of Chemistry and the pharmaceutical company LEK (a member of Sandoz / Novartis group).
- 1984 – 1992: Head of the Laboratory of gene technology and molecular genetics, Faculty of Medicine UL, Institute of Biochemistry.
Work in Expert Bodies
- Since 2016: Member of the ICGEB Board of Governors (International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology) – Slovenian Deputy.
- Since 2015: Chairman of the working group for the drafting of the Biomedicine Act, Government of the Republic of Slovenia, Ministry of Health.
- 2010-2015: Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Center for Functional Genomics and Biochips (CFGBC) in Ljubljana.
- 2009-2013: External expert in the field of biotechnology and biomedicine at the Slovenian Government delegation to the OECD, Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology. Also a member of the OECD Biotechnology Working Group (OECCD CSTP WPB).
- 2008 – 2010: Member of the Advisory Board of the University of Nova Gorica.
- Since 2006: Chairman of the Scientific Committee for the Management of Genetically Modified Organisms in Closed Systems, Government of the Republic of Slovenia, Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning.
- 2006 – 2015: Chairman of the National Commission on Genetic Technology, Government of the Republic of Slovenia.
- 2006- 2010: Chairman of the Management Board of the Centre for Functional Genomics and Biochips (CFGBC).
- 2003 – 2013: Member and Chair of the Scientific Council of the International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB): ICGEB CSA – Council of Scientific Advisers.
- 2003 – 2011: Scientific Advisor at the National Institute of Chemistry in Ljubljana.
- Since 2002: President of the Natural History Society of Slovenia (PDS) and editor-in-chief of the prolific scientific journal Proteus.
- 2001 – 2005: Member of the Managing Board and the Scientific Conferences Committee Member of the Integrated Approaches on Functional Genomics program at the European Science Foundation (ESF).
- 2001 – 2002: Member (representative for Slovenia) of: (a) Forum on Research Management in the Field of Genomic Research; (b) the Cancer Forum; and (c) the Bioethics Forum, at the European Commission (EC) in Brussels – in the process of developing the 7th EC Framework Program (EC FW7).
- 2000 –2005/06: National Coordinator for Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology of the Republic of Slovenia.
- 1999 – 2001: Expert Advisor for Biodiversity and Biotechnology at the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning.
- 1995 – 2004: Scientific Representative for Slovenia at the International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB Liaison Officer of ICGEB for Slovenia).
- 1995 – 2002: President of the Commission for the Legal and Ethical Regulation of Gene Technology in Slovenia. Ministry of Science and Technology of the Republic of Slovenia: drafting the Gene Technology Act.
- 1992 – 1996: National Coordinator for Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology of the Republic of Slovenia.
Professional Societies
- Slovenian Biochemical Society
- Genetics Society of Slovenia
- Slovenian Society for Human Genetics
- Association for Human Genetics at the Slovenian Medical Association
- Natural History Society of Slovenia
- American Association for Cancer Research (a membership to be renewed)
- The New York Academy of Science (a membership to be renewed)
Honors And Awards
- 2018: Andrej Oton Župančič Award of the Faculty of Medicine UL for outstanding scientific research work, December 2018.
- 2015: Miroslav Zei Grand Prize for lifetime work in the field of NIB activities, National Institute of Biology, 11 November 2015.
- 2012: Marina Dermastia, Radovan Komel, Tom Turk: Where Life Starts —: [Cell Biology and Genetics for High Schools], 1st ed., Ljubljana: Rokus Klett, 2012. 297 pages, illustr., ISBN 978-961-271-126-9 – a textbook awarded the Bronze Award in the category of high school textbooks at the Frankfurt Book Fair on 10 October 2012 – Best European Schoolbook Awards (BESA); BESA Awards 2012; Frankfurter Buchmesse & EEPG (The European Educational Publishers Group) & IARTEM (International Association for Research on Textbooks and Educational Media).
- 2008: Lapanje Award for Excellence in Biochemical Sciences Research and Education; Slovenian Biochemical Society (SBD), 11 December 2008.
- 2004: Decoration of the Knight of Academic Palms (Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques), for the credit in developing Franco-Slovenian cooperation in the field of culture and science; Government of French Republic, 31 October 2002; Decoration awarded in June 2004.
- 1994: Award of the Republic of Slovenia (predecessor of the Zois Awards) for scientific and research work – for outstanding achievements in the field of biochemistry and molecular biology; Government of the Republic of Slovenia, November 1994.
- 1994: Outstanding Visitor Medal for Research Stay at ZIMET, German Academy of Sciences, Jena, NDR, 1977/78; shared in 1994.
- 1975: Student Prešeren Award for the diploma thesis at the MF & FKKT of the University of Ljubljana.