Barbara Mikac

Academic Profile

Barbara Mikac is a marine ecologist and a fixed-term Junior assistant professor at the University of Bologna. Her research focuses on the study, conservation, and management of natural and cultural heritage, with particular emphasis on marine and coastal environments. She studies the biodiversity and ecology of Mediterranean benthic communities, with particular attention to biological invasions, the effects of anthropogenic pressures, and biodiversity associated with aquaculture. She is a specialist in the taxonomy and ecology of polychaetes (Annelida). Her scientific approach combines ecological field surveys, classical and molecular taxonomy, biodiversity monitoring, underwater research, and participatory approaches. She has extensive experience in conducting and coordinating national and international research projects and scientific collaborations, gained at universities and research institutes in Croatia and Italy. She teaches and supervises students at all levels of university education and is particularly committed to Third Mission activities and science communication.

Education

PhD in Marine Sciences, 2010
University of Zagreb, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Croatia

Thesis: Three-year dynamics and structure of Northern Adriatic soft-bottom polychaete assemblages.

MSc in Oceanography, 2006
University of Zagreb, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Croatia

Thesis: Structure and dynamics of the soft-bottom polychaetes in the Northern Adriatic Sea.

BSc in Biology (Ecology), 2001
University of Zagreb, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Croatia

Italian National Scientific Qualification (ASN)

• Competition sector 05/C1 Ecology, II level, valid from 04/11/2025 to 04/11/2037
• Competition sector 05/B1 Zoology and Anthropology, II level, valid from 19/11/2020 to 19/11/2032

Academic and research positions

• Junior Assistant Professor (RTD-A), University of Bologna, Department of Cultural Heritage, Campus Ravenna, Italy — 2022–present
• Research fellow, University of Bologna, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BiGeA), Campus Ravenna, Italy — 2021–2022
• Research fellow, University of Bologna, Interdepartmental Research Centre for Environmental Sciences, Campus Ravenna, Italy — 2018–2020
• Research Fellow, Institute for Coastal Marine Environment, The National Research Council (CNR-IAMC), Castellammare del Golfo, Italy — 2012–2013
• Postdoctoral researcher - Higher research assistant, Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Rovinj, Croatia — 2010–2014
• Research assistant, Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Rovinj, Croatia — 2002–2010

Institutional and academic service

University governance roles

• Member, Joint Faculty–Student Committee, Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna — 2026–present
• Deputy Coordinator, Degree Programme in History, Societies and Cultures of the Mediterranean, Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna — 2025–present

Affiliations with research centres and institutes

• Member, CIRI-FRAME – Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Research on Renewable Sources, Environment, Sea and Energy, University of Bologna — 2023–present
• Member, ALMA CLIMATE – Alma Mater Research Institute on Global Challenges and Climate Change, University of Bologna — 2024–present

Evaluation and selection committees

• Member, Selection Committee for admission to the PhD Programme in Cultural and Environmental Heritage, Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, 41st cycle, academic year 2025/2026
• Member, Erasmus+ Traineeship Selection Committee, academic years 2024/2025 and 2025/2026

Research projects

International projects

• VIBRANT – Integrative Approaches to Monitor Biodiversity Changes for the Conservation of Urbanized Areas along the South-Central Vietnam Coasts — 2025–present
  Funded by: Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI).
• Alien Polydora (Annelida: Spionidae) Oyster Pests in the Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean) — 2024–2025
  Coordinated by: University of Bologna.
  Carried out within Biodiversity Genomics Europe (BGE); Funded by Horizon Europe, Cluster Biodiversity, Circular Economy and Environment (REA.B.3). Grant Agreement No. 101059492. Role: Project conception and development; organisation and coordination of research activities; supervision of doctoral and other students involved in the project; scientific coordination with the other project partners.
• SEAMoBB – Solutions for sEmi-Automated Monitoring of Benthic Biodiversity — 2019–2021
  Funded by: ERA-NET MAR-TERA.
• LIFE MARINAPLAN PLUS – Reliable and Innovative Technology for the Realization of a Sustainable Marine and Coastal Seabed Management Plan — 2018–2020
  Funded by: LIFE Programme – Environment and Resource Efficiency (2015).
• BALMAS – Ballast Water Management System for Adriatic Sea Protection — 2014–2016
  Funded by: IPA Adriatic Cross-border Cooperation Programme.
• WICOS – Implementation of the Water Quality Monitoring in the Western Istrian Coastal Sea (Northern Adriatic) — 2008–2009
  Funded by: INTERREG / CARDS–PHARE Programme.

National projects

• PolyFREE – Metodi di eliminazione efficace di vermi marini parassiti, invasivi (Polydora spp.) nell’ostricoltura dell’Emilia-Romagna — 2026–present
  Funded by: PN FEAMPA 2021–2027. Coordinating body: M.A.R.E. Soc. Coop. a r.l.

  Role: Project conception and development; responsibility for and coordination of the research activities conducted by the Department of Cultural Heritage; scientific liaison with BiGeA and M.A.R.E.

• Monitoring of Alien Species in Mollusc Aquaculture Farms of the Emilia-Romagna Region: Impacts and Mitigation Measures — 2020–2022
  Funded by: Bando Alte Competenze 2019, Emilia-Romagna Region. Coordinating institution: University of Bologna.
• Impacts of Invasion of Alien Caulerpa Species on the Coastal Communities of Southern Sicily — 2012–2013
  Funded by: Dipartimento Pesca della Regione Siciliana. Coordinated by: National Research Council (CNR), Institute for Coastal Marine Environment (IAMC), in collaboration with ARPA Siciuly (Prot. n. 0004876 del 18/11/2011).
• Biodiversity of Benthic Communities in the Adriatic: Natural and Human Impacts — 2007–2011
  Funded by: Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia. Coordinating institution: Ruđer Bošković Institut, Rovinj, Croatia.
• Croatian National Monitoring Programme – Systematic Study of the Adriatic Sea as a Basis for the Sustainable Development of the Republic of Croatia — 2002–2011
  Funded by: Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia. Coordinating institution: Ruđer Bošković Institut, Rovinj, Croatia.
• Mechanism of Long-Term Changes in the Adriatic Sea Ecosystem — 2002–2006
  Funded by: Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia. Coordinating institution: Ruđer Bošković Institut, Rovinj, Croatia.

Applied research and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies

• Systematic Control of Transitional and Coastal Waters Quality (Croatia) — 2020–2021; 2018–2020; 2016–2018; 2014–2016; 2012–2014
  Commissioned by: Croatian Waters. Coordinated by: Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (Split) and Ruđer Bošković Institute, Center for Marine Research (Rovinj).
• Environmental Impact Assessment Study for the Budava Fish Farm — 2015–2016
  Coordinated by: Ruđer Bošković Institute, Center for Marine Research, Rovinj.
• Monitoring of Benthic Communities in the Nautical Harbours Funtana and Vrsar. Status assessment (2015) — 2015–2016
  Commissioned by: Montraker d.o.o., Vrsar. Coordinated by: Ruđer Bošković Institute, Center for Marine Research, Rovinj.
• Monitoring of Benthic Communities in the Nautical Harbours Funtana and Vrsar. Status assessment (2013) — 2013–2014
  Commissioned by: Montraker d.o.o., Vrsar. Coordinated by: Ruđer Bošković Institute, Center for Marine Research, Rovinj.
• Coastal Cities Water Pollution Control Project (Croatia) — 2013–2014
  Commissioned by: Croatian Waters. Coordinated by: Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split, Croatia.
• Biological Baseline Survey — 2011
  Commissioned by: Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure (Croatia). Coordinated by: Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split, Croatia.
• Monitoring Programme for Transitional and Coastal Waters under the EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) — 2010–2011
  Commissioned by: Croatian Waters. Coordinated by: Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split, Croatia.
• Monitoring Programme for the Exploration of the Sea, Flora and Fauna near the Annamaria A Gas Platform (EIA) — 2011
  Commissioned by: INAgip d.o.o. (Tender No. 469/11-DI). Coordinated by: Ruđer Bošković Institute, Center for Marine Research, Rovinj, Croatia.
• Impact of Drilled Material on the Marine Environment near the Anna and Annamaria Platforms (EIA) — 2008
  Commissioned by: INAgip d.o.o. Coordinated by: Ruđer Bošković Institute, Center for Marine Research, Rovinj, Croatia.

Editorial activities

• Associate Editor, Hydrobiologia (Springer Nature) — 2025–present
• Contributing Editor, Mediterranean Marine Science — 2025–present

Organization of international conferences

• Secretary of the Organizing Committee, 46th European Marine Biology Symposium, Rovinj, Croatia, 12-16 September 2011.
• Member of Organizing Committee, 10^th International Polychaete conference, Lecce, Italy, 20-26 June 2010.

Research visits, fieldwork and scientific collaborations

Research visits

• Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum, Frankfurt, Germany — 5–19 June 2011
• Laboratory of Zoology and Marine Biology, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy — 4–28 May 2009
• Laboratory of Zoology and Marine Biology, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy — January–June 2008
• Research internship, Wastewater Laboratory, Aarhus Water (Aarhus Vand; formerly the Environmental Office of Aarhus Municipality), Aarhus, Denmark — 1 September–25 December 2000
  

  International research expeditions (invited researcher)

• Marine biodiversity monitoring in Brijuni National Park, Croatia — 31 May–9 June 2024; 27 May–5 June 2025; 29 May–5 June 2026
  Invited researcher, Bavarian State Collection of Zoology (ZSM) and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).
• Guam BioBlitz – Marine Biodiversity Survey, Guam — 2–22 February 2024
  Invited researcher within the Guam Ecosystems Collaboratorium for Corals and Oceans (GECCO), a US National Science Foundation (NSF) EPSCoR project.
  

Main national and international scientific collaborations

• Bavarian State Collection of Zoology (ZSM) and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany — 2024–present
• M.A.R.E. Società Cooperativa, Cattolica, Italy — 2022–present
• Zhirmunsky Institute of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia — 2019–2025
• Department of Biomolecular Sciences (DiSB), University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy — 2019–2020
• Laboratory of Zoology and Marine Biology, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy — 2008–2015
  Taxonomy and ecology of Adriatic polychaetes. The collaboration resulted in joint scientific publications, including descriptions of species new to science.

Publications

Peer-reviewed journal articles

• Mikac, B., Colangelo, M. A., Tarullo, A., Abbiati, M., Fossi, E., Costantini, F. (2026) Review of the fauna associated with wild and farmed mussels and oysters in the Mediterranean. Biological Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1002/brv.70193
• Piazza, A., Mikac, B., Colangelo, M. A., Costantini, F. (2026) ARMS in ports: monitoring non-indigenous species through Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 222: 118545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118545
• Fossi, E., Costantini, F., Colangelo, M. A., Rossi, L. P., Prioli, G., Mikac, B. (2026) Exploring farmers' knowledge to trace Non-Native Species in aquaculture. Ocean and Coastal Management, 273: 108058. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2025.108058
• Medas, S., Asta, A., Mikac, B., Mozzi, P., Primon, S. (2025) Underwater Archaeological Investigations in the Passaora Channel, Venice Lagoon. Ocnus, 33: 117–125. https://doi.org/10.12876/OCNUS3348
• Bozzeda, F., Fanini, L., Costantini, F., Mikac, B., Colangelo, M. A. (2025) Disentangling the effects of sandy beach management on intertidal macrobenthic fauna: a path analysis approach. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 319: 109254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2025.109254
• Mikac, B., Radashevsky, V. I., Fossi, E., Pankova, V. V., Colangelo, M. A., Prioli, G., Abbiati, M., Costantini, F. (2025) First record of non-native polychaetes Polydora websteri and P. caeca invading cultured and wild populations of mussels and oysters in the Mediterranean. Aquaculture Reports, 42, 102713. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aqrep.2025.102713
• Nozarpour, R., Shojaei, M. G., Chiarucci, A., Naderloo, R., Mikac, B., Colangelo, M. A., Costantini, F. (2024) Functional diversity of the macrofauna communities in arid mangroves of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Regional Studies in Marine Science, 74: 103534. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2024.103534
• Mugnai, F., Mikac, B., Colangelo, M. A., Matterson, K. O., Abbiati, M., Costantini, F. (2023) Integrative taxonomy approach to detect spatial and temporal variability of the Mediterranean benthic communities through artificial substrate units (ASUs). Frontiers in Marine Science, 10: 1–22. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1113322
• Borghese, J., Arduini, D., Schimmenti, E., Iaciofano, D., Mikac, B., Badalamenti, F., Giangrande, A., Gravina, M. F., Musco, L., Lo Brutto, S. (2022) Assessment of the Sabellaria alveolata reefs’ structural features along the Southern coast of Sicily (Strait of Sicily, Mediterranean Sea). Mediterranean Marine Science, 23(4): 890–899. https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.30434
• Mikac, B., Abbiati, M., Adda, M., Colangelo, M. A., Desiderato, A., Pellegrini, M., Saccani, C., Turicchia, E., Ponti, M. (2022) The Environmental Effects of the Innovative Ejectors Plant Technology for the Eco-Friendly Sediment Management in Harbors. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 10(2): 182. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10020182
• Mancuso, F. P., D'Agostaro, R., Milazzo, M., Badalamenti, F., Musco, L., Mikac, B., Lo Brutto, S., Chemello, R. (2022) The invasive seaweed Asparagopsis taxiformis erodes the habitat structure and biodiversity of native algal forests in the Mediterranean Sea. Marine Environmental Research, 173: 105515. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105515
• Mikac, B., Tarullo, A., Colangelo, M. A., Abbiati, M., Costantini, F. (2021) Shell infestation of the farmed Pacific oyster Magallana gigas by the endolith bivalve Rocellaria dubia. Diversity, 13(11): 526. https://doi.org/10.3390/d13110526
• Mugnai, F., Meglécz, E., CoMBoMed group, Abbiati, M., Bavestrello, G., Bertasi, F., Bo, M., Capa, M., Chenuil, A., Colangelo, M. A., De Clerck, O., Gutiérrez, J. M., Lattanzi, L., Leduc, M., Martin, D., Matterson, K. O., Mikac, B., Plaisance, L., Ponti, M., Riesgo, A., Rossi, V., Turicchia, E., Waeschenbach, A., Wangensteen, O. S., Costantini, F. (2021) Are well-studied marine biodiversity hotspots still blackspots for animal barcoding? Global Ecology and Conservation 32: e01909. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01909
• Pitacco, V., Chatzigeorgiou, G., Mikac, B., Lipej, L. (2021) Ecological patterns of polychaete assemblages associated with the Mediterranean stony coral Cladocora caespitosa (Linnaeus, 1767): a comparison of sites in two biogeographic zones (Adriatic and Aegean Sea). Mediterranean Marine Science, 22(3): 532–551. https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.26136
• Sikorski, A., Radashevsky, V.I., Castelli, A., Pavlova, L.V., Nygren, A., Malyar, V.V., Borisova, P. B., Mikac, B., Rousou, M., Martin, D., Gil, J., Pacciardi, L., Langeneck, J. (2021) Revision of the Laonice bahusiensis complex (Annelida: Spionidae) with a description of three new species. Zootaxa, 4996(2): 253–283. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4996.2.2
• Mikac, B., Licciano, M.,Jaklin, A., Iveša, Lj., Giangrande, A., Musco, L. (2020) Diversity and distribution patterns of hard bottom polychaete assemblages in the North Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean). Diversity, 12(408): 1–29. https://doi.org/10.3390/d12100408
• Pellegrini, M., Abbiati, M., Bianchini, A., Colangelo, M. A., Guzzini, A., Mikac, B., Ponti, M., Preda, G., Saccani, C., Willemsen, A. (2020) Sustainable sediment management in coastal infrastructures through an innovative technology: preliminary results of the MARINAPLAN PLUS LIFE project. Journal of Soils and Sediments, 20: 2685–2696. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-019-02546-6
• Langaneck, J., Scarpa, F., Maltagliati, F., Sanna, D., Barbieri, M., Cossu, P., Mikac, B., Curini-Galletti, M., Castelli, A., Casu, M. (2020) A complex species complex: the controversial role of ecology and biogeography in the evolutionary history of Syllis gracilis Grube, 1840 (Annelida, Syllidae). Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research, 58: 66–78. https://doi.org/10.1111/jzs.12336
• Mikac, B., Semprucci, F., Guidi, L., Ponti, M., Abbiati, M., Balsamo, M., Dovgal, I. (2020) Newly discovered associations between peritrich ciliates (Ciliophora: Peritrichia) and scale polychaetes (Annelida: Polynoidae and Sigalionidae) with a review of polychaete–peritrich epibiosis. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 188: 939–953. https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz111
• Travizi⁠, A., Balković⁠, I., Bacci⁠, T., Bertasi⁠, F., Cuicchi⁠, C., Flander-Putrle⁠, V., Grati⁠, F., Grossi⁠, L., Jaklin⁠, A., Lipej⁠, L., Mavrič⁠, B., Mikac⁠, B., Marusso⁠, V., Montagnini⁠, L., Nerlović⁠, V., Penna⁠, M., Salvalaggio⁠, V., Santelli⁠, A., Scirocco⁠, T., Trabucco⁠, B., Spagnolo, A. (2019) Macrozoobenthos in the Adriatic Sea ports: Soft-bottom communities with an overview of non-indigenous species. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 147: 159–170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.01.016
• Spagnolo, A., Auriemma, R., Bacci, T., Balković, I., Bertasi, F., Bolognini, L., Cabrini, M., Cilenti, L., Cuicchi, C., Cvitković, I., Despalatović, M., Grati, F., Grossi, L., Jaklin, A., Lipej, L., Marković, O., Mavrič, B., Mikac, B., Nasi, F., Nerlović, V., Pelosi, S., Penna, M., Petović, S., Punzo, E., Santucci, A., Scirocco, T., Strafella, P., Trabucco, B., Travizi, A., Žuljević, A. (2019) Non-indigenous macrozoobenthic species on hard substrata of selected harbours in the Adriatic Sea. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 147: 150–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.12.031
• Langeneck, J., Mazziotti, C., Mikac, B., Scirocco, T., Castelli, A. (2018) Aricidea fragilis (Annelida, Paraonidae) in the Mediterranean Sea: overlooked native or alien species? The European Zoological Journal, 85(1): 268–273. https://doi.org/10.1080/24750263.2018.1484185
• Bertocci, I., Badalamenti, F., Lo Brutto, S., Mikac, B., Pipitone, C., Schimmenti, E., Vega Fernández, T., Musco, L. (2017) Reducing the data-deficiency of threatened European habitats: Spatial variation of sabellariid worm reefs and associated fauna in the Sicily Channel, Mediterranean Sea. Marine Environmental Research, 130: 325–337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2017.08.008
• Mikac, B., Hutchings, P. (2017) One new species of Pista Malmgren, 1866 (Annelida: Terebellidae) and one new species of Pistella Hartmann-Schröder, 1996 (Annelida: Terebellidae) from the Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 97(5): 943–953. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315417000868
• Schimmenti, E.,Musco, L., Lo Brutto, S.,Mikac, B.,Nygren, A., Badalamenti, F. (2016) Mediterranean record of Eulalia ornata (Annelida: Phyllodocidae) corroborating its fidelity link with the Sabellaria alveolata reef habitat. Mediterranean Marine Science, 17(2): 359–370. https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.1485
• Bulleri, F., Badalamenti, F., Iveša, LJ., Mikac, B., Musco, L., Jaklin, A., Rattray, A., Vega Fernández, T., Benedetti-Cecchi, L. (2016) The effect of an invasive seaweed on native communities vary along a gradient of land-based human impacts. PeerJ, 4: e1795. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.1795
• Giangrande, A., Caruso, L.P.G., Mikac, B., Licciano, M. (2015) The genus Megalomma (Annelida: Sabellidae) in the Mediterranean Sea, with description of two new species from Italian and Croatian coasts. Italian Journal of Zoology, 82(4): 521–534. https://doi.org/10.1080/11250003.2015.1072251
• Mikac, B. (2015) A sea of worms: polychaete checklist of the Adriatic Sea. Zootaxa, 3943: 001–172. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3943.1.1
• Lezzi, M., Cardone, F., Mikac, B., Giangrande, A. (2015) Variation and ontogenetic changes of opercular paleae in a population of Sabellaria spinulosa (Polychaeta: Sabellaridae) from the South Adriatic Sea, with remarks on larval development. Scientia Marina, 79(1): 137–150. https://doi.org/10.3989/SCIMAR.04127.19A
• Musco, L., Andaloro, F., Mikac, B., Mirto, S., Vega Fernandez, T., Badalamenti, F. (2014) Concern about the spread of the invader seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia var. disticophylla (Chlorophyta: Caulerpales) towards the West Mediterranean. Mediterranean Marine Science, 15/3: 532–538. https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.742
• Parapar, J., Mikac, B., Fiege, D. (2013) Diversity of the genus Terebellides (Polychaeta: Trichobranchidae) in the Adriatic Sea with the description of a new species. Zootaxa, 3691(3): 333–350. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3691.3.3
• Mikac, B., Licciano, M., Giangrande, A. (2013) Sabellidae and Fabriciidae (Polychaeta) of the Adriatic Sea with particular retrospect to the Northern Adriatic and the description of two new species. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 96(3): 1511–1524. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315412001993
• Chambers, S., Lanera, P., Mikac, B. (2011) Chaetozone carpenteri McIntosh, 1911 from the Mediterranean Sea and records of other bi-tentaculate Cirratulids. Italian Journal of Zoology, 78(S1): 41–48. https://doi.org/10.1080/11250003.2011.580565
• Mikac, B., Musco, L., Đakovac, T., Giangrande, A., Terlizzi, A. (2011) Long term changes in North Adriatic soft-bottom polychaete assemblages following a dystrophic crisis. Italian Journal of Zoology, 78(S1): 304–316. https://doi.org/10.1080/11250003.2011.581043
• Musco, L., Mikac, B., Tataranni, M., Giangrande, A., Terlizzi, A. (2011) The use of coarser taxonomy in the detection of long-term changes in polychaete assemblages. Marine Environmental Research, 71(2): 131–138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2010.12.004
• Nygren, A., Sundkvist, T., Mikac, B., Pleijel, F. (2010) Two new and two poorly known autolytines (Polychaeta: Syllidae) from Madeira and the Mediterranean Sea. Zootaxa, 2640: 35–52. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.2640.1.3
• Mikac, B., Musco, L. (2010) Faunal and biogeographic analysis of Syllidae (Polychaeta) from Rovinj (Croatia, northern Adriatic Sea). Scientia Marina, 74(2): 353–370. https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.2010.74n2353
• Mikac, B. (2003) Echinodermata in the littoral area of the National Park Mljet. Periodicum Biologorum, 105(4): 405–412.

Peer-Reviewed journal articles without Impact Factor

• Musco, L., Andaloro, F.,D'Anna, G.,Giangrande, A.,Lo Brutto, S., Mikac, B.,Mirto, S.,Pipitone, C., Scuderi, D.,Vega Fernández, T.,Badalamenti, F (2015) Impact of Caulerpa taxifolia var. distichophylla on macro- e meiofauna associated with Posidonia oceanica. Biologia Marina Mediterranea 22(1): 136–137.
• Schimmenti, E.,Lo Brutto, S.,Badalamenti, F., Giangrande, A., Mikac, B.,Musco, L. (2015) DNA-barcoding to solve the tricky case of co-occurring Sabellaria (Annelida) species in the Mediterranean Sea. Biologia Marina Mediterranea 22(1): 109–110.

Technical reports

• Kraus, R., Travizi, A., Jaklin, A., Iveša, Lj., Nerlović, V., Mikac, B., Marić, P. D., Supić, N., Đakovac, T., Precali, R., Janeković, I., Dutour, M., Škalic, D., Kužat, N., Balković, I., Cenov, A., Vukić, L. D., Baljak, V., Glad, M., Živković, V., Guštin , T. (2016) PBS Report for Port of Pula. (Final Report). BALMAS project. Work package 5. Activity 5.1, Rovinj, Croatia. 122 pp.
• Kraus, R., Travizi, A., Jaklin, A., Iveša, Lj., Nerlović, V., Mikac, B., Marić, P. D., Supić, N., Đakovac, T., Precali, R., Janeković, I., Dutour, M., Škalic, D., Kužat, N., Balković, I., Cenov, A., Vukić, L. D., Baljak, V., Glad, M. (2016) PBS Report for Port of Rijeka. (Final Report). BALMAS project. Work package 5. Activity 5.1, Rovinj, Croatia. 116 pp.
• Antoci, M.L., Coppola, C., Cicero, F., Galfo, F., Nicastro, A., Campo, D., Toccaceli, M., Bono, A., Andaloro, F., Castriota, L., Falautano, M., Romeo, T., Sinopoli, M., Vivona, P., Musco, L., Mikac, B., Mirto, S., Fernandez, T.V., Agnetta, D., Pipitone, C., Di Stefano, G., Badalamenti, F. (2015) Fenomeno Caulerpa 2010/2013. Rapporto sull'evoluzione delle specie aliene nel canale di Sicilia. Regione Siciliana, ISPRA, CNR, ARPA Sicilia, Ed. Gruppo Moccia S.p.A., Palermo, 138 pp.
• Musco, L., Mikac, B., Mirto, S., Fernández, T.V., Agnetta, D., Pipitone, C., Di Stefano, G., Badalamenti, F. (2013) Esecuzione di ricerche e studi degli effetti dell'invasione di Caulerpe aliene sulle biocenosi costiere. CNR–IAMC, Laboratorio di Ecologia Marina di Castellammare del Golfo, Prot. CNR-IAMC n. 0008561 del 30/10/2013, 222 pp.

Outreach-related publications

• Ossani, C., Costantini, F., Mikac, B., Iannucci, A. (2024) A.M.A. Alieni Marini dell’Adriatico. Un progetto di disegni naturalistici, divulgazione scientifica ed educazione ambientale. Natura e Montagna, 71 (1–2): 5–8.
• Ossani, C., Mikac, B., Costantini, F., Iannucci, A., Circassia, S., Casarotti, A., Biccheri, G., Mecozzi, A., Zambruno, S. (2022) A.M.A. Alieni Marini dell’Adriatico. Specie aliene lungo il Canale Candiano. Bologna: Università di Bologna. https://doi.org/10.6092/unibo/amsacta/7337
• Pellegrini, M., Preda, G., Mikac, B., Ponti, M., Saccani, C., Aghakhani, A., Abbiati, M., Colangelo, M.A. (2021) Life MarinaPlan Plus project: sustainable marine and coastal seabed management. Terra et Aqua, 162: 28–39. ISSN: 0376-6411.
• Preda G., Pellegrini M., Saccani C., Ponti M., Mikac B., Abbiati M., Colangelo M.A. (2020) Un impianto per una gestione più sostenibile dei sedimenti. Ecoscienza, 5: 49–51. ISSN: 2039-0424.
• Mikac, B., Arko-Pijevac, M. (2019) Those cute wormlike creatures from the sea bottom [Ta simpatična crvolika čudovišta s morskog dna]. Catalog of the underwater photography exhibition on the occasion of the International museum day, Natural History Museum Rijeka, Edok, Samobor, Croatia. ISBN 978-953-7259-09-9
• Mikac, B. (2018) Život u kožnatim ili vapnenim cijevima. Nepokretni mnogočetinaši. Scubalife, 32: 24–29.
• Mikac, B., Lipej, B. (2005) Posidonija (Posidonia oceanica). Istarska enciklopedija. Miroslav, B., Matijašić, R. (ed.). Leksikografski zavod Miroslav Krleža, Zagreb. pp. 620–621. ISBN: 953-6036-83-5
• Mikac, B. (2004) Mudra trava Mediterana. More - magazin za plovidbu i plovila. 116 (IX): 86–89.
• Radošević, M., Mikac, B., stanovnici općine Medulin (2004) Green Agenda of the Medulin municipality [Zelena agenda općine Medulin]. Ed. Radošević, M., Mikac, B., NGO Zelena Istra – Istria verde, MPS, Pula, Croatia.

University teaching

• 2026–present — Fundamentals of Ecology, Single-Cycle Degree/Combined bachelor and master in Primary Teacher Education, Department of Education Studies “Giovanni Maria Bertin”, University of Bologna; 4 ECTS credits
• 2026–present — Interdisciplinary Laboratory in Natural Sciences, Single-Cycle Degree/Combined bachelor and master in Primary Teacher Education, Department of Education Studies “Giovanni Maria Bertin”, University of Bologna; 1 ECTS credit
• 2025 — Environmental Impacts on Cultural Heritage, PhD Programme in Cultural and Environmental Heritage, Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna; 0.5 ECTS credits (4 teaching hours)
• 2025–present — Mediterranean Environments and Ecosystems, Undergraduate Programme, Eastern College Consortium (E.C.Co.), Bologna; 39 teaching hours
• 2022–present — Ecology for Cultural Heritage, Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Cultural Heritage, Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna; 6 ECTS credits (30 teaching hours)
• 2022–present — Mediterranean Ecosystems, Bachelor’s Degree Programme in History, Societies and Cultures of the Mediterranean, Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna; 6 ECTS credits (30 teaching hours)
• 2021–present — Experimental Marine Laboratory, Master’s Degree Programme in Marine Biology, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna; supporting lecturer

Other teaching and training activities

• November 2017–July 2018 — Teacher (Italian teaching category A050) of Biology and Biology, Microbiology and Health Control; member of the State Examination Board, Institute of Higher Education "Ettore Majorana" – Technical and technological Institute – Health Biotechnology specialisation, San Lazzaro di Savena, Italy
• 23–27 September 2013 — Training Course in Benthic Taxonomy: Polychaete Annelids. Organisation and delivery of theoretical and practical classes for ARPA Sicilia staff within the project Impacts of the Invasion of Non-native Caulerpa Species on the Coastal Communities of Eastern Sicily (CNR-IAMC and ARPA Sicilia), ARPA Sicilia, Palermo, Italy

Academic supervision

Supervision of PhD students

• Martina La Torre, PhD Programme in Cultural and Environmental Heritage, 42nd cycle, University of Bologna, Italy — from 2026 (expected start: October 2026)
  Research topic: Historical and Contemporary Ecology of Marine Animal Forests: Implications for Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration
• Martina Hervat, Interdisciplinary Doctoral Programme in Oceanology, University of Zagreb, Croatia — 2026–present
  Thesis: Ecology of Shallow Rhodolith Beds in the Brijuni Archipelago (Northern Adriatic Sea)
• Eugenio Fossi, PhD Programme in Cultural and Environmental Heritage, 38th cycle, University of Bologna, Italy — 2022–2025
  Thesis: Integrating Local Ecological Knowledge and Ecological Approaches to Improve Aquaculture Management and Conservation
  PhD scholarship awarded pursuant to Italian Ministerial Decree No. 352/2022 and funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), and by M.A.R.E. Società Cooperativa, for the designated research topic Integrative Approach to Study and Preserve Local Aquaculture Heritage.

Supervision of Bachelor’s and Master’s theses

Supervisor

• Carlotta Zipri — Master’s Degree Programme in Marine Biology, University of Bologna, Italy — 2026–present
  Thesis: Fauna Associated with Farmed European Oysters along the Croatian Coast
• Martina Chiementin — Master’s Degree Programme in Marine Biology, University of Bologna, Italy — 2026–present
  Thesis: Outbreak of Predatory Flatworms in Adriatic Shellfish Farms: Revealing the Identity of the Species Involved
• Maria Elisa Tutolo — Master’s Degree Programme in Marine Biology, University of Bologna, Italy — 2026–present
  Thesis: Predatory Flatworms in Croatian Mussel and Oyster Farms
• Ana Novoa Nogueira — Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Italy — 2026–present
  Thesis: The Impact of Non-native Species on the Natural Heritage of Parks and Woodlands
• Teresa Fusari — Bachelor’s Degree in Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Italy — 2025–2026
  Thesis: Man and the Oyster: the history of oyster uses and aquaculture as environmental and cultural heritage in the Adriatic Sea.
• Lorenzo Beltramini — Master’s Degree in Marine Biology, University of Bologna, Italy — 2024–2025
  Thesis: Macrofauna associated with farmed mussels in the Adriatic Sea, with an emphasis on non-indigenous species.
• Lucia Palazzi Rossi — Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy — 2023–2024
  Thesis: Local ecological knowledge on the problem of alien species in molluscs’ aquaculture in the Adriatic Sea.
• Paolo Franchini — Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy — 2023–2024
  Thesis: Fauna associated with farmed oysters in the Adriatic Sea, with a focus on non-native species.
• Nelly Bafumi — Master’s Degree in Environmental Analysis and Management, University of Bologna, Italy — 2022–2023
  Thesis: New alien species in Pacific oyster farms in the Adriatic Sea.

Co-supervisor

• Between 2008 and 2023, co-supervisor of 12 Master’s theses (Master’s Degree in Environmental Analysis and Management, University of Bologna; Master’s Degree in Marine Biology, University of Bologna; Master’s Degree in Biological Sciences, University of Salento) and 6 Bachelor’s theses (Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna; Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Sciences, University of Bologna; Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo; Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, Spain).

Invited talks and seminars

Invited scientific presentations

• Mikac, B. (2025). Marine and Coastal Ecosystems of the Northern Adriatic: Values and Threats. Invited lecture, VALUE PLUS Summer School, 2021–2027 Interreg VI-A Italy–Croatia Cross-Border Cooperation Programme, “VALUE PLUS – Value Plus to Cultural Districts for the Tourist Enhancement of the Cross-Border Area”, Ravenna, Italy, 25 September 2025.
• Mikac, B. (2024) Nuove specie aliene associate agli allevamenti di mitili ed ostriche nel Mediterraneo. Invited talk, XI Convegno SIRAM – Società Italiana di Ricerca Applicata alla Molluschicoltura “Ricercare il cambiamento, verso un nuovo modello di molluschicoltura resiliente”, Cattolica, Italy, 4–5 October 2024.
• Mikac, B. (2024) Alien hitchhikers of the farmed mollusks. Invited talk, BioBlitz Symposium, University of Guam, 16 February 2024.
• Mikac, B., Colangelo, M.A., Fossi, E., Costantini, F. (2022) Aquaculture as a vector for the introduction and transport of alien species in the Mediterranean Sea. Invited presentation, School of Advanced Studies - RESISTANCE (Raising awarenESs of MaritIme Spatial planning importance), Conference Sealogy 2022. Ferrara, Italy, 17 November 2022.
• Mikac, B. (2019) Diversity of polychaetes in the Adriatic Sea and the importance of regular taxonomic updating. Invited talk, Workshop “Census of Marine Mediterranean Benthic Biodiversity: an Integrative Metabarcoding Approach (CoMBoMed)”. University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy, 12 February 2019.
• Mikac, B. (2018) A sea of worms – diversity and ecology of the Adriatic Sea polychaetes. Invited seminar for Bachelor’s students in Environmental Sciences and Master’s students in Marine Biology, University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy, 29 November 2018.
• Mikac, B. (2008) Posidonia oceanica meadows: a treasury of biodiversity of the Adriatic Sea. Invited seminar within the ECT course “Ecology and Management of Coastal Waters” of the University of Halmstadt (Sweden), University of Salento, Italy, 8 May 2008.

Panel discussions and public academic events

• Brightman, M., Baratti, E., d’Acunto, S., Mecozzi, A., Mikac, B. (2022) La linea d’Orizzonte: nuove pratiche, nuovi compiti. Panel discussion event “Oltre il Grande Vuoto: saperi, tecniche e nuove conoscenze fra le valli, il delta e l’Adriatico”, University of Bologna, European Maritime Day Conference, Marina di Ravenna, Italy, 21 May 2022.
• Barbi, M., Caputo, S., Fondi, P., Mikac, B. Mediterraneo: conflitti, cooperazione e scenari globali. Panel discussion, event “Il Mediterraneo e le sue sfide”, University of Bologna, European Maritime Day Conference, Palazzo Rasponi dalle Teste, Ravenna, Italy, 12 May 2022.

Conference contributions

Oral presentations

Presenter

• Mikac, B., Fossi, E., Colangelo, M.A., Dessì, S., Prioli, G., Pećarević, M., Bonačić, K., Mavrič, B., Pitacco, V., Costantini, F. (2026) Stowaways on molluscs: unveiling non-native polydorin pests in Adriatic oyster aquaculture. 15^th International Polychaete Conference, Frankfurt am Main (Germany), 27–31 July 2026. (Book of Abstracts, p. 44)

• Mikac, B., Fossi, E., Colangelo, Dessì, S., Prioli, G., Pećarević, M., Bonačić, K., Mavrič, B., Pitacco, V., Costantini, F. (2025). Trans-disciplinary and trans-boundary research to access non-native species in aquaculture. Euromarine Open Science Day, Cadiz (Spain), 10–12 March 2026. (Book of Abstracts, p. 17)
• Mikac, B., Fossi, E., Costantini, F., Bonačić, K., Pećarević, M. (2025). Integrative taxonomy and farmers’ involvement to trace alien Polydora (Annelida) pests in oysters’ aquaculture in the Mediterranean. Genomics for Biodiversity Conference – from genomes to impact, Vairão, Portugal, 29–31 October 2025.
• Mikac, B., Fossi, E., Colangelo, M.A., Bafumi, N., Beltramini, L., Palazzi Rossi, L., Franchini, P., Dessì, S., Prioli, G., Radashevsky, V.I., Pankova, V.V., Pećarević, M., Bonačić, K., Mavrič, B., Pitacco, V., Costantini, F. (2025). Transdisciplinary cross-border approach to address the problem of non-native species in mollusc aquaculture. 12th International Conference on Marine Bioinvasions, Madeira, 7–9 October 2025. (Abstract Book, p. 91)
• Mikac, B., Fossi, E, Colangelo, M.A., Prioli, G., Costantini, F. (2024) Nuove specie aliene associate agli allevamenti di mitili ed ostriche nel Mediterraneo. XI Convegno SIRAM – Società Italiana di Ricerca Applicata alla Molluschicoltura “Ricercare il cambiamento, verso un nuovo modello di molluschicoltura resiliente”. Cattolica, Italy, 4–5 October 2024. (Book of abstracts, p. 91)
• Mikac, B., Palazzi Rossi, L., Costantini, F., Colangelo, M.A., Abbiati, M., Fossi, E. (2024) Engaging mollusks’ farmers to increase the knowledge on the distribution and impact of non-native species in aquaculture in the Adriatic Sea. XXXIII Congresso della Società Italiana di Ecologia (SItE) “Misurare e prevedere il cambiamento per una gestione sostenibile degli ecosistemi”, Roma, Italia, 23–26 September 2024. (Book of Abstracts, p. 31)
• Mikac, B., Fossi, E., Colangelo, M.A., Pascucci, G., Piazza, A., Abbiati, M., Mecca, M., Cappucci, V., Tarullo, A., Costantini, F. (2023) Faunal assemblages associated with mussel and oyster habitats in the Mediterranean: taxonomic and functional diversity and non-indigenous species. BioDiv “Convivere nell’interfaccia terra-mare, Ravenna, Italy, 18–19 September 2023. (Book of abstracts, p. 41)
• Mikac, B., Fossi, E., Pascucci, G., Colangelo, M.A., Piazza, A., Abbiati, M., Costantini, F. (2023) Functional diversity of invertebrate communities associated with Pacific oysters’ (Magallana gigas) aggregations in the Mediterranean Sea. 32° Congresso nazionale della Società Italiana di Ecologia (S.It.E.) “Sostenibilità ecologica: scienza, scenari e partecipazione”, Catania, Italy, 06-08 September 2023. (Program and Book of abstracts, p. 157).
• Mikac, B., Fossi, E., Colangelo, M.A., Tarullo, A., Radashevsky, V.I., Prioli, G., Costantini, F., (2023) Polychaete Fauna associated with mussel and oyster aggregations in the Mediterranean Sea. 14^th International Polychaete Conference, Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa, 3-7 July 2023. (Program and Abstracts book, p. 30).
• Mikac, B., Colangelo, M.A., Abbiati, M., Asunis, A., Fossi, E., Mecca, M., Cappucci, V., Tarullo, A., Costantini, F. (2022). Diversity and structure of faunal assemblages associated with mussel and oyster habitats in the Adriatic Sea, with special emphasis on non-indigenous species. 31° Congresso della Società Italiana di Ecologia (S.It.E.) “Adattamenti degli Ecosistemi alle Pressioni dell’Antropocene”, Siena, Italia, 13–15 September 2022. (Book of abstracts, p. 157).
• Mikac, B. (2012). Impacts of different kinds of harbour pollution of the city of Rovinj (Croatia, northern Adriatic Sea) on polychaete fauna. 23 Sea Conference, Rimini, Italy, 12–15 April 2012. (Book of abstracts, pp. 95–96).
• Mikac, B., Musco, L., Giangrande, A., Terlizzi, A. (2010). Long term changes in soft-bottom polychaete assemblages following distrophic crises. 10th International Polychaete Conference (IPC), Lecce, Italy, 20–26 June 2010.
• Mikac, B.; Travizi, A. (2009). Polychaete fauna of Cymodocea nodosa meadow and Caulerpa racemosa settlement in Vrsar (Croatia, Northern Adriatic Sea). Mediterranean Seagrass Workshop 09, Hvar, Croatia, 5–11 September 2009. (Book of abstracts, pp. 26–27).
• Mikac, B. (2007). Three years seasonal dynamics of the northern Adriatic soft-bottom Polychaete assemblages. 9th International Polychaete Conference, Portland, Maine, USA, 12–18 August 2007. (Book of abstracts, p. 61).
• Mikac, B. (2006). Structure and dynamics of the northern Adriatic soft bottom polychaete assemblages. 9th Croatian Biological Congress, Rovinj, 23–29 September 2006. (Book of abstracts, pp. 277–279).
• Mikac, B. (2006). The role of environmental NGOs in public awareness raising and protection of endangered species (step toward the community based conservation). 1st European Congress of Conservation Biology, Eger, Hungary, 22–26 August 2006. (Book of abstracts, pp. 51–52).

Co-author

• Between 2014 and 2025, co-author of 17 additional oral presentations delivered at national and international conferences.

Poster presentations

Presenter

• Mikac, B., Fossi, E., Costantini, F., Colangelo, M.A., Tarullo, A., Prioli, G., Radashevsky, V.I. (2023). New alien Polydora oysters’ pests in the Mediterranean. 14th International Polychaete Conference, Stellenbosch / Cape Town, South Africa, 3–7 July 2023. (Program and Abstracts book, pp. 75–76).
• Mikac, B., Colangelo, M.A., Abbiati, M., Asunis, A., Fossi, E., Mecca, M., Tarullo, A., Costantini, F. (2022). Functional diversity of the faunal assemblages associated with Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) clumps. 31° Congresso della Società Italiana di Ecologia (S.It.E.), Siena, Italia, 13–15 September 2022. (Book of abstracts, p. 154).
• Mikac, B., Semprucci, F., Ponti, M., Abbiati, M., Dovgal, I. (2019). Newly Observed Association from the Northern Adriatic Sea: Epizoic Ciliates and Scaled Polychaete Worms. VIII European Congress of Protistology – ISOP joint meeting, Rome, Italy, 28 July–2 August 2019.
• Mikac, B., Ponti, M., Colangelo, M.A., Abbiati, M. (2019). Dredging disturbance imprinted in the structure of benthic communities: the case of the Port of Cervia. 2nd International Conference on Community Ecology, Bologna, Italy, 4–6 June 2019. (Book of abstracts, pp. 106–108).
• Mikac, B., D’Agostaro, R., Badalamenti, F., Milazzo, M., Musco, L., Chemello, R. (2016). Effects of the invasion of macroalga Asparagopsis taxiformis on the polychaete assemblages associated to the native macroalga Cystoseira brachycarpa in the Mediterranean Sea. 12th International Polychaete Conference, Cardiff, Wales, 1–5 August 2016. (Book of abstracts, p. 79).
• Mikac, B., Musco, L., Vega Fernández, T., Mirto, S., Giangrande, A., Badalamenti, F. (2013). Changes in Mediterranean Posidonia-associated polychaete assemblages due to a new alien Australian seaweed. 11th International Polychaete Conference, Sydney, Australia, 4–9 August 2013. (Book of abstracts, p. 92).
• Mikac, B., Musco, L., Jaklin, A., Licciano, M., Giangrande, A. (2011). Hard bottom polychaete assemblages in the Northern Adriatic Sea: diversity and patterns of spatial distribution. 46th European Marine Biology Symposium, Rovinj, Croatia, 12–16 September 2011. (Book of abstracts, p. 92).
• Mikac, B., Giangrande, A., Licciano, M. (2011). Sabellidae and Fabriciidae from the north Adriatic Sea with the description of Amphicorina rovignensis n.sp. and Megalomma pseudogesae n.sp. 46th European Marine Biology Symposium, Rovinj, Croatia, 12–16 September 2011. (Book of abstracts, p. 91).
• Mikac, B., Žuljević, A. (2006). Underwater documentary “Save Posidonia oceanica meadows – treasury of biological diversity of the Adriatic Sea”. Mediterranean Seagrass Workshop, Marsascala, Malta, 29 May–3 June 2006. (Book of abstracts, p. 120).
• Mikac, B. (2003). Echinoderms (Echinodermata) in the littoral area of National park “Mljet”. 8th Croatian Biological Congress, Zagreb, 27 September–2 October 2003. (Book of abstracts, pp. 336–338).

Co-author

• Between 1997 and 2024, co-author of 16 additional poster presentations at national and international conferences.

Participation in specialised training courses and workshops

• Study Days “Le lagune nel mondo antico: dinamiche insediative, infrastrutture, ambiente.”
  University Ca’ Foscari Venezia, Venice, Italy, 13–14 December 2022.
• Workshop “Electronic Microscope FEG–ESEM–STEM” (theoretical and practical sessions).
  Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy, 6–7 December 2021.
• Copernicus Marine Service Training Workshop (Mediterranean Sea region).
  Bologna, Italy, 9–10 December 2019.
• LifeWatch ERIC Scientific Community Meeting.
  Rome, Italy, 27–29 May 2019.
• Workshop “Census of Marine Mediterranean Benthic Biodiversity: an Integrative Metabarcoding Approach (CoMBoMed)”.
  Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy, 11–14 February 2019.
• Theoretical–Practical Workshop “Microscopy and Biodiversity”.
  Italian Society for Microscopical Sciences, University of Urbino, Urbino, Italy, 26–27 November 2018.
• Advanced Course “DNA extraction from agro-alimentary matrices and allergen detection using Real-Time PCR”.
  Institute of Higher Education “Ettore Majorana”, San Lazzaro di Savena, Italy, 6 March 2018.
• SEM–EDS Training Course (Scanning Electron Microscopy – Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy).
  Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, Italy, 26–28 April 2016.
• Workshop “Conservation of Biodiversity in the North Adriatic”.
  Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation, Strunjan, Slovenia, 25 May 2006.
• International School of Conservation Biology.
  Rovinj, Croatia, 29 May–6 June 2005.
• Training Session on MAP inventory tools for sites of conservation interest (Standard Data Entry Form).
  UNEP/MAP – RAC/SPA, Portofino, Italy, 4–6 November 2004.
• Workshop on implementation of the Protocol Concerning Cooperation in Preventing Pollution from Ships and Emergency Response in the Mediterranean Sea.
  Pula, Croatia, 26–27 March 2004.
• “Blue School” – Marine and Coastal Ecosystems and Management.
  WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), Sitges, Spain; 7–17 July 2002; 28 September–5 October 2003.
• Workshop “Monitoring Techniques Applied to Marine Protected Area Management”.
  National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics / Marine Protected Area Miramare, Trieste, Italy, 19 September 2002.
• Workshop “National Review of Marine and Coastal Biodiversity in the Republic of Croatia”.
  Ministry of the Environment of the Republic of Croatia, Rijeka, Croatia, 27 March 2002.

Other professional experience

• Scientific Tutor, “Science in Practice” programme — Ossigeno Società Cooperativa Sociale / Fondazione Golinelli (Opificio Golinelli), Bologna, Italy — September–November 2017.
  Tutoring in science laboratory activities conducted in Italian and English for high school students.
• External Environmental Consultant — OIKON Ltd., Institute of Applied Ecology,
  Zagreb, Croatia — February 2017.
  Contribution to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study for the Senj 2 Hydroelectric Power Plant (chapter: Impacts on the marine environment).
• External Scientific Collaborator — Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute,
  Rovinj, Croatia — 2016–2017.
  Qualitative and quantitative analyses of marine invertebrates within the projects Systematic Control of Transitional and Coastal Waters Quality (2014–2015) and BALMAS – Ballast Water Management System for Adriatic Sea Protection project.
• External Scientific Collaborator — C.R.E.A. (Cooperativa Ricerche Ecologiche ed Ambientali), Palermo, Italy — October 2014–April 2015.
  Taxonomic analyses of marine invertebrates, particularly polychaetes, for coastal monitoring activities commissioned by ARPA Sicilia.
• External Scientific Collaborator — National Institute of Biology (NIB), Ljubljana, Slovenia — July–August 2014.
  Qualitative and quantitative analyses of marine invertebrates, particularly polychaetes, within the project Mediterranean stony coral as a habitat builder in the Gulf of Trieste.

Scientific outreach and public engagement

• Presentation of the PolyFREE project at the Italian Oyster Fest — La Spezia, Italy, 23 May 2026

  Project presentation, discussion and outreach activities for shellfish farmers.

• “Mediterraneo, un mare di alieni: le specie non-native dei nostri mari” — outreach lectures on non-native marine species for secondary school students. In the frame of the program “Un pozzo di scienza XIX edizione a.s. 2024-2025” organized by HERA.
  Scientific High School “A. Oriani”, Ravenna, Italy — 6 February 2025;
  High School of Enogastronomy “Tonino Guerra”, Cervia, Italy — 17 February 2025.
• D.U.N.E – Digitization of Unique Natural Coastal Ecosystems in the Emilia-Romagna Region.
  Cultural and science communication event developed in collaboration between the Department of Cultural Heritage and the Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna.
  Role: concept development, coordination, and scientific texts.
  Darsenale Brew Pub, Ravenna, Italy, 14 November 2024.
• A.M.A. Alien Marine Species in the Adriatic – Alien Species along the Candiano Canal through Naturalistic Illustration. Guided tour of the exhibition as part of the event Il verde incontra il blu (“Green Meets Blue”), Soroptimist for the Sea — Darsenale–Bizantina Brewpub, Ravenna, Italy, 7 October 2023.
• A.M.A. Alien Marine Species in the Adriatic – Species along the Candiano Channel.
  Science communication event for the European Researchers’ Night 2022, organized in collaboration between the Department of Cultural Heritage and the Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna.
  Role: concept development, coordination, and scientific texts.
  University of Bologna, Campus Ravenna, Italy, 30 September 2022.
• Educational laboratory on Adriatic marine biodiversity for primary and secondary school students.
  Event PortoLaScuola, Marina di Ravenna, Italy, 3 June 2019.
• Educational laboratories on Adriatic marine biodiversity for children aged 6–14.
  DIGITA – scientific dissemination and digital culture event, Art Museum of the City of Ravenna, Italy, 5–6 April 2019.
• Educational laboratory on Adriatic marine biodiversity for children aged 8–14.
  Event UNIJUNIOR Ravenna: conoscere per crescere, Palazzo Corradini, Ravenna, Italy, 30 March 2019.
• Environmental protection and public awareness projects focused on marine and coastal ecosystems, including conservation of Posidonia oceanica meadows.
  NGO Green Istria, Croatia — 2002–2016.
  Roles included project leadership, coordination, and public outreach activities.
• Invited lecture “The role of underwater film in marine protection” and screening of the documentary “Save Posidonia oceanica meadows” (Mikac, B., 2003).
  International Underwater Film and Photography Festival Il Leone Bianco, Rovinj, Croatia, 27 August 2010.
• Invited lecture “Endangered marine species and their conservation” and documentary screening
  “Save Posidonia oceanica meadows” (Mikac, B., 2003).
  Marine school “School children get to know our sea”, Italian High School “Dante Alighieri”,
  Pula, Croatia, 5 September 2005.
• Public lecture “Exploration of the Sea in the 21st Century”.
  Open Days of the Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia, 13–15 May 2004.

Organisation of science outreach exhibitions

• A.M.A. Alien Marine Species in the Adriatic – Alien Species along the Candiano Channel Represented through Naturalistic Drawing
  (A.M.A. Alieni Marini dell’Adriatico. Specie aliene lungo il Canale Candiano raccontate attraverso il disegno naturalistico).
  Exhibition organized in the framework of the European Researchers’ Night 2023.
  Developed in collaboration between the Department of Cultural Heritage and the Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna.
  Role: concept development, coordination, and scientific texts.
  University of Bologna, Campus Ravenna, Italy — 21 September 2023.
• Colourful Worms of the Adriatic Sea.
  Underwater photography exhibition presented during the European Researchers’ Night 2019.
  Concept and design: Barbara Mikac and Milvana Arko-Pijevac; photography: Mario Babić.
  University of Bologna, Campus Ravenna, Italy, 27 September 2019.
• Adriatic Polychaetes – Those Wormlike Creatures from the Sea Bottom.
  Underwater photography exhibition organized for International Museum Day.
  Natural History Museum Rijeka, Croatia, 18 May 2018.
  Role: participation in exhibition organization.

Film and multimedia productions

• Save Posidonia oceanica meadows – treasury of biological diversity of the Adriatic Sea (2003). Documentary film, 17 min. Concept development, script, and scientific content: Barbara Mikac. Production: Environmental organization “Green Istria”.

Grants and Awards

Research awards and honours

• Award for Best Student Oral Presentation — Mediterranean Seagrass Workshop,
  Hvar, Croatia, 6–9 September 2009.
• Student Research Grant, Government of the Republic of Italy — 2008
  Awarded to Croatian citizens for the academic year 2007/2008; duration: 6 months.
  Host institution: University of Salento, Italy.
  Research project: Comparative study of polychaete biodiversity and biogeography along the Croatian and Italian Adriatic coasts.
  Funding amount: €3,700.

Funding and awards for science communication and environmental awareness activities

• Third Prize in the Professional Underwater Documentary category for the underwater film Save Posidonia oceanica Meadows: Treasury of Biological Diversity of the Adriatic Sea — First Eastern Mediterranean International Underwater Photography and Film Festival, Famagusta, Cyprus, 2005
• Special Award for the underwater film Save Posidonia oceanica Meadows: Treasury of Biological Diversity of the Adriatic Sea — Marmara Underwater Film and Photography Festival, Istanbul, Türkiye, 2005
• Special Award for the underwater film Save Posidonia oceanica Meadows: Treasury of Biological Diversity of the Adriatic Sea — 8th International Underwater Film Festival, Belgrade, Serbia, 2004
• Project grant, Croatian Government Office for Cooperation with NGOs — 2003
  Project: Protection of Posidonia oceanica Meadows and Raising Environmental Awareness of Their Importance as a Mediterranean Endemic Species
  Beneficiary organisation: Green Istria, non-governmental organisation
  Role: Project Manager
  Funding: €6,800.

Memberships in scientific societies

• European Aquaculture Society — 2026–present
• Italian Society of Ecology (S.It.E.) — 2022–present
• The Systematics Association — 2021–2023; 2025
• International Polychaetology Association — 2006–present

Skills and certifications

Languages

Croatian (native), English (C2 spoken and written), Italian (C2 spoken and written)

Technical and computer skills

• Statistical and ecological analysis: PRIMER-e, PERMANOVA+
• Image processing: GIMP

Certifications

• Scientific diving: CMAS 3★ diver;
• CMAS Marine Biology Instructor
• Ship guiding licence
• Driving licence (Category B)