Prof. Dr. Ivana Mihajlovic: Prof.Dr. at University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Serbia

Ivana Mihajlović is a Full Professor in the Department of Environmental Engineering at the University of Novi Sad’s Faculty of Technical Sciences. With over 15 years of experience in environmental research, her work bridges multiple disciplines, including water management, sustainable development, and occupational safety. Ivana has contributed significantly to academic literature and international research projects focused on environmental pollution, water quality, and the safe handling of hazardous materials. She is recognized for her leadership in educational programs related to environmental protection and the implementation of green technologies in industry. She is also deeply involved in promoting cross-border scientific cooperation within the Balkans and Europe.

Online Profiles

  • Total Citations: 973 (578 in the last 5 years)
    Ivana’s research has gained significant attention in the scientific community, with nearly a thousand citations across a wide array of publications in environmental engineering and sustainable development.

  • h-index: 14 (11 in the last 5 years)
    Ivana has an h-index of 14, indicating that she has at least 14 publications that have each been cited at least 14 times. Her impact is growing, as evidenced by the 11 h-index citations in the past five years, reflecting the increasing relevance of her recent work.

  • i10-index: 21 (11 in the last 5 years)
    Ivana has 21 publications with at least 10 citations, showing consistent scholarly output that is making an impact in the field. The increase in the i10-index over the last five years is indicative of her ongoing contribution to key research areas in environmental science.

Education

  • PhD in Environmental Engineering, University of Novi Sad, 2012
    Ivana’s doctoral research focused on the development of efficient water treatment techniques, examining both traditional and innovative approaches to mitigating industrial water pollution.

  • M.Sc. in Physicochemistry, University of Osnabrück, Germany, 2009
    She studied advanced techniques in material chemistry, specializing in the interaction between pollutants and adsorbents for water purification.

  • B.Sc. in Physicochemistry, University of Belgrade, 2008
    Her undergraduate studies laid the foundation for her interest in the intersection of chemistry and environmental sciences, particularly in assessing the impact of pollutants on ecosystems.

Research Focus

Ivana’s primary research areas include the study of water quality and pollution, with a particular emphasis on the removal of emerging pollutants from water sources, such as pharmaceutical residues, plastics, and pesticides. Her work often involves the development of low-cost, sustainable solutions for environmental protection, such as utilizing natural adsorbents for wastewater treatment. She is also dedicated to researching sustainable water management strategies and innovative approaches to reducing hazardous chemical exposure in industrial settings. Her interdisciplinary approach incorporates the latest advancements in analytical chemistry, environmental modeling, and sustainable engineering practices.

Experience

Throughout her academic career, Ivana has held various positions that have shaped her research and teaching career. As a Full Professor, she leads courses on environmental engineering, focusing on wastewater treatment, industrial safety, and sustainability practices. She also supervises graduate and PhD students, guiding them through cutting-edge research in the environmental field.

In addition to her academic work, Ivana has served as the Technical Manager of the University’s Accredited Laboratory for Environmental and Occupational Monitoring since 2014. In this role, she oversees the laboratory’s operations and ensures its alignment with international environmental standards. She has also contributed significantly to research collaborations across borders, particularly within the EU-funded projects aimed at tackling cross-border environmental issues.

Research Timeline & Activities

  • 2020–Present: Ivana is leading a series of pioneering research initiatives related to digital technologies in environmental engineering. These initiatives focus on data-driven solutions for water management, pollution monitoring, and sustainable urban development. She is also examining the role of artificial intelligence in optimizing water treatment processes.

  • 2017–2020: Ivana served as the project leader for the SeNs Wetlands initiative, a cross-border research project supported by the Interreg IPA Cross-border Cooperation Program. This project was focused on the restoration and sustainable management of wetlands in the border region between Serbia and Croatia, emphasizing the importance of wetland ecosystems in controlling water pollution and enhancing biodiversity.

  • 2013–2017: Ivana’s research during this period revolved around innovative solutions for wastewater treatment and the protection of drinking water resources in Novi Sad, Serbia. She contributed to studies assessing the impact of industrial effluents on local water bodies and exploring sustainable treatment methods.

  • 2011–2013: Ivana’s early academic career was dedicated to researching and improving drinking water quality in urban areas. Her projects included the design and implementation of filtration systems to remove heavy metals and other toxic substances from municipal water supplies.

Awards & Honors

  • Pavle Savić Award, Physico-Chemical Society of Serbia, 2009
    Ivana was awarded this prestigious recognition for her significant contribution to environmental chemistry, specifically for her work on water treatment and pollutant removal techniques.

  • Special Award, Serbian Chemical Society, 2008
    She received the Special Award from the Serbian Chemical Society for her outstanding research on environmental pollutants and sustainable treatment methods.

  • Best Paper Award, International Conference on Water Treatment, 2016
    Ivana’s research on sustainable water purification technologies won her recognition for the best paper at an international conference, where she presented her findings on the use of bio-sorbents in wastewater treatment.

Top Noted Publication

One of Ivana’s most cited publications is the paper titled “Sorption of Linuron and Isoproturon onto Activated Carbon Prepared from Date Stones”, which was published in the Fresenius Environmental Bulletin in 2021. This research explores the innovative use of natural agricultural by-products, like date stones, for removing herbicides from contaminated water. The study has been influential in advancing the field of sustainable water treatment, offering low-cost alternatives to traditional filtration methods. The results have broad applications, particularly in regions with limited access to expensive treatment technologies.

  • Occurrence of antibiotics as emerging contaminant substances in aquatic environment
    Authors: N Milić, M Milanović, NG Letić, MT Sekulić, J Radonić, I Mihajlović, …
    Journal: International Journal of Environmental Health Research
    Year: 2013
    Citations: 242
    This study highlights the prevalence of antibiotics as emerging contaminants in aquatic environments, a crucial issue in the field of environmental health.

  • Evaluation of the adsorption potential of eco-friendly activated carbon prepared from cherry kernels for the removal of Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Ni²⁺ from aqueous wastes
    Authors: S Pap, J Radonić, S Trifunović, D Adamović, I Mihajlović, MV Miloradov, …
    Journal: Journal of Environmental Management
    Year: 2016
    Citations: 113
    This paper presents an innovative approach to water purification by using eco-friendly activated carbon from cherry kernels to remove heavy metals from wastewater.

  • Occurrence of bisphenol A and microplastics in landfill leachate: lessons from South East Europe
    Authors: AC Narevski, MI Novaković, MZ Petrović, IJ Mihajlović, NB Maoduš, …
    Journal: Environmental Science and Pollution Research
    Year: 2021
    Citations: 82
    This article explores the occurrence of bisphenol A and microplastics in landfill leachate, offering significant insights into the environmental impact of these contaminants in South East Europe.

  • Pollution of soils with organophosphorus flame retardants and plasticizers
    Authors: E Fries, I Mihajlović
    Journal: Journal of Environmental Monitoring
    Year: 2011
    Citations: 76
    This work investigates the pollution of soils with organophosphorus flame retardants and plasticizers, shedding light on soil contamination and the potential risks to ecosystems.

  • Atmospheric deposition of chlorinated organophosphate flame retardants (OFR) onto soils
    Authors: I Mihajlović, E Fries
    Journal: Atmospheric Environment
    Year: 2012
    Citations: 61
    This publication examines the atmospheric deposition of chlorinated organophosphate flame retardants, revealing the extent to which these substances accumulate in soils via air transport.

Ivana Mihajlovic, Environmental Science, Best Innovator Award