NIB

Short biography:

Irena Zajc was born on 22 October 1964 in Slovenj Gradec. In 1988 she graduated at the Biology Department, Biotechnical Faculty, finished her Masters’ degree at the same Faculty and got her PhD at Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana in 1996. She has been employed at the National Institute of Biology since 1989. Irena Zajc worked in several biological fields at home and abroad, first on molecular phylogeny of certain amphibian groups, population genetics of domestic dog (in Slovenia and the UK) and now on molecular biology and cancer biology (in Slovenia and USA). In the last few years she takes part in the educational process as well.

Education:

• 1988: Graduation at the Biology Department, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana
• 1992: Masters’ of Biology, at the Biology Department, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana
• 1996: PhD in medical sciences, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana

Work experience abroad:

• 1991 - 1993      Molecular phylogeny and evolution of Triturus and Proteus (part of master’s thesis) at the Department of Zoology, Leicester University, UK
• 1993 - 1996      Canine population genetics (PhD study) at the Department of Biochemistry   Leicester University, UK (research associate)
• 1998 - 1999      Proteases and their inhibitors in cancer (post-doctoral training) at the Department of Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, WSU, Detroit, MI, USA (post doctoral research associate)

Membership in professional societies:

• since 1990       Slovenian Genetic Society
• since 1995       Society for the Study of Evolution
• since 1997       American Association for Cancer Research

Programme:

• Ecotoxicology, toxicological genomics and carcinogenesis

International projects:

• EORTC - European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (permanent collaboration)
• Extracellular proteases and the cancer degradome: Innovative diagnostive markers, therapeutic targets and tumour imaging agents- Integrated Project 6FP EU CANCERDEGRADOME

Slovenian projects:

• The study of mechanisms of human glioma invasion on a rat model
• Role of proteolytic enzymes in benign and malign brain tumours
• Effect of natural mineral waters on genome stability
• Molecular detection of the consequences of biological weapons usage, of biological toxins acting and other toxic consequences with long-lasting effects on humans

Hobies:

• Clasical music, theatre, film, reading
• Jogging, mountaineering, skiing, swimming
• Travel

Bibliography (COBISS)