Barbara Mikac

 Barbara Mikac is marine ecologist, junior assistant professor at the University of Bologna from 2022, research fellow from 2018 to 2022. Her research interests are oriented towards interactions between marine organisms and their environment, marine biodiversity, anthropogenic impacts on marine and coastal ecosystems, understanding of structure, dynamics and ecology of benthic communities, ecology and taxonomy of the Mediterranean benthic invertebrates, in particular annelid polychaetes. Moreover, she’s involved in environmental education and scientific dissemination activities. She participated in several research projects, applied studies and environmental impact assessment studies at different research institutes and universities in Croatia and Italy. She is author of numerous peer reviewed scientific publications and participated on different international conferences and workshops in the field of marine ecology and conservation and management of marine resources.

Education

2010 Doctor of Science in Marine Sciences (Ph.D.), Department of Geology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Zagreb, Croatia

2006 Master of Science in Oceanography (M.Sc.), Department of Geology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Zagreb, Croatia

2001 Bachelor of Science in Biology (Ecology) (B.Sc.), Biology Department, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Zagreb, Croatia

Employment

From February 2021 Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BiGeA), University of Bologna (Ravenna, Italy). Position and activity: Research fellow on the project “Integrative approach to monitor Mediterranean Benthic marine biodiversity”. Taxonomic determination of marine invertebrates using classical morphological and molecular analysis; statistical analyses of data; data elaboration and publication of papers in peer review journals; participation in scientific conferences; supervision of students – co-supervisor of bachelor and master thesis.

September 2018 – November 2020 Interdepartmental Research Centre for Environmental Sciences, Alma mater studiorum - University of Bologna (Ravenna, Italy). Position and activity: Research fellow on the project “Reliable and innovative technology for the realization of a sustainable MARINe And coastal seabed management PLAN - LIFE MARINAPLAN PLUS”. Organization and participation in field sampling campaigns including scientific diving; setting of sampling design; qualitative and quantitative analysis of benthic organisms and communities; analyses of environmental parameters; statistical analyses of data; publication of papers in peer review journals; project reports writing; participation at international scientific conferences; attendance of workshops and trainings; supervision of students – co-supervisor of master thesis; organization of events oriented towards environmental education and science dissemination.

November 2017 – July 2018 Institute of Higher Education "Ettore Majorana", Technical and technological Institute, orientation “Chemistry, materials and biotechnologies – Healthcare biotechnologies” (San Lazzaro di Savena, Italy). Position and activity: Teacher for the subjects “Biology” and “Biology, microbiology and healthcare control” for second, third, fourth and fifth grade students; member of the commission for the State exam for the subject “Biology, microbiology and healthcare control”.

September 2017 – November 2017 Ossigeno Società Cooperativa Sociale/Foundation Golinelli (Opificio Golinelli) (Bologna, Italy). Position and activity: Tutor for different laboratory activities (in Italian and English language) for high school students in the frame of the project area “Science in practice”: modules “Fermentation reactions”, “Transformation by microorganisms - Purification GFP - DNA fingerprinting”, “Purification, SDS page, enzymatic immobilization and β-Galactosidase activity”.

February 2017 OIKON Ltd., Institute of Applied Ecology (Zagreb, Croatia). Position and activity: External environmental consultant. Preparation of the chapter “Impacts on the sea” for the Environmental impact assessment study for Hydroelectric power plant Senj 2.

December 2016 – April 2017 Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute (Rovinj, Croatia). Position and activity: External scientific collaborator. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of marine invertebrates for the project „Systematic control of transitional and coastal waters quality in 2014 and 2015”.

February 2016 – March 2016 Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute (Rovinj, Croatia). Position and activity: External scientific collaborator. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of marine invertebrates for the project BALMAS (Ballast Water Management System for Adriatic Sea Protection).

October 2014 – April 2015 C.R.E.A. (Cooperativa Ricerche Ecologiche ed Ambientali; Palermo, Italy). Position and activity: External scientific consultant. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the marine invertebrates for the project “Procedura negoziata in economia per l’affidamento dei servizi di analisi lungo le coste siciliane attraverso indagini biologiche in campo e analisi di laboratorio” (ARPA, Sicily).

July 2014 – August 2014 National Institute of Biology (NIB) (Ljubljana, Slovenia). Position and activity: External scientific collaborator. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of marine invertebrates for the project "Mediterranean stony coral as a habitat builder in the Gulf of Trieste".

April 2012 – December 2013 Institute for Coastal Marine Environment, The National Research Council (CNR-IAMC) (Castellammare del Golfo, Italy). Position and activity: Postdoctoral research Fellow. Different activities on the project “Impacts of invasion of alien Caulerpa species on the coastal communities of southern Sicily”. Experimental design setting; coordination and participation in sampling campaigns including scientific diving; quantitative and qualitative analyses of macrobenthic organisms; statistical analysis, elaboration of data and publication of scientific papers in peer review journals; participation on international conferences as presenting author; teaching activity.

August 2010 – April 2014 Laboratory for Ecology and systematics of Benthos, Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute (Rovinj, Croatia). Position and activity: Higher research assistant - postdoctoral researcher. Participation in several scientific projects, applied studies and environmental impact assessment studies. Experimental design setting; coordination and participation in sampling campaigns including scientific diving; quantitative and qualitative analyses of macrobenthic organisms; statistical analyses, elaboration of data and scientific writing; project report writing; participation on international conferences as presenting author; participation on workshops and trainings.

August 2006 – July 2010 Laboratory for Ecology and systematics of Benthos, Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute (Rovinj, Croatia). Position and activity: Research assistant - PhD student. Participation in several scientific projects, applied studies and environmental impact assessment studies. Experimental design setting; coordination and participation in sampling campaigns including scientific diving; quantitative and qualitative analyses of macrobenthic organisms; statistical analyses, elaboration of data and writing of scientific papers; project report writing; participation on international conferences as presenting author; participation on workshops and trainings; invited lectures.

August 2002 – July 2006 Laboratory for Ecology and systematics of Benthos, Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute (Rovinj, Croatia). Position and activity: Research assistant – Master of Science student. Participation in several scientific projects, applied studies and environmental impact assessment studies. Coordination and participation in sampling campaigns including scientific diving; quantitative and qualitative analyses of macrobenthic organisms; statistical analyses, elaboration of data and writing of scientific papers; participation on international conferences as presenting author; participation on workshops and trainings; invited lectures.

Participation in projects

Research projects:

From 2021 – “Integrative approach to monitor Mediterranean Benthic marine biodiversity”. Bologna University.

Dal 2019 – “SEAMoBB: Solutions for sEmi-Automated Monitoring of Benthic Biodiversity”. ERANET MARTERA.

2020 – 2021 “Monitoring of the alien species in the mollusc aquaculture farms in the Emilia-Romagna region: impacts and mitigation measures”. BANDO ALTE COMPETENZE 2019, Emilia-Romagna Region. Leader: Bologna University.

2018 – 2020 “Reliable and innovative technology for the realization of a sustainable MARINe And coastal seabed management PLAN - LIFE MARINAPLAN PLUS”. LIFE Environment and Resource Efficiency 2015.

2014 – 2016 “Ballast water management system for Adriatic Sea protection” (BALMAS). IPA Adriatic Cross-border Cooperation Programme.

2012 – 2013 “Impacts of invasion of alien Caulerpa species on the coastal communities of southern Sicily”. The National Research Council, Institute for Coastal Marine Environment (CNR-IAMC) in collaboration with Regional agency for environmental protection (ARPA) Sicily.

2007 – 2011 “Biodiversity of benthic communities in the Adriatic: natural and human impacts”. Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia.

2002 – 2011 “Croatian national Monitoring Programme - Systematic study of the Adriatic Sea as a basis for the sustainable development of the Republic of Croatia”. Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia.

2008 – 2009 “Implementation Of The Water Quality Monitoring In The Western Istrian Coastal Sea (Northern Adriatic)” (“Wicos”). INTERREG/CARDS-PHARE.

2002 – 2006 “Mechanism of long-term changes in the Adriatic Sea ecosystem”. Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia.

Applied studies and environmental impact assessment studies

2020 – 2021 Systematic control of transitional and coastal waters quality in 2020. Project orderer: Croatian Waters. Project leader: Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split and Ruđer Bošković Institute, Center for Marine Research, Rovinj.

2018 – 2020 Systematic control of transitional and coastal waters quality in 2018 and 2019. Project orderer: Croatian Waters. Project leader: Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split and Ruđer Bošković Institute, Center for Marine Research, Rovinj.

2016 – 2018 Systematic control of transitional and coastal waters quality in 2018 and 2019. Project orderer: Croatian Waters. Project leader: Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split.

2016 Environmental impact assessment study in fish farm Budava. Project leader: Ruđer Bošković Institute, Center for Marine Research, Rovinj.

2015 – 2016 Monitoring of the state of benthic communities in the nautical harbour Vrsar. Status in 2015. Project orderer: Montraker d.o.o., Vrsar. Project leader: Ruđer Bošković Institute, Center for Marine Research, Rovinj.

2015 – 2016 Monitoring of the state of benthic communities in the nautical harbour Funtana. Status in 2015. Project orderer: Montraker d.o.o., Vrsar. Project leader: Ruđer Bošković Institute, Center for Marine Research, Rovinj.

2015 Environmental impact assessment study in fish farm Budava. Project leader: Ruđer Bošković Institute, Center for Marine Research, Rovinj.

2014 – 2016 Systematic control of transitional and coastal waters quality in 2014 and 2015. Project orderer: Croatian Waters. Project leader: Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split.

2013 – 2014 Monitoring of the state of benthic communities in the nautical harbours Funtana and Vrsar. Status in 2013. Project orderer: Montraker d.o.o., Vrsar. Project leader: Ruđer Bošković Institute, Center for Marine Research, Rovinj.

2013 – 2014 Coastal Cities Water Pollution Control Project In Croatia. Project orderer: Croatian Waters. Project leader: Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split.

2012 – 2014 Systematic control of transitional and coastal waters quality in 2012 and 2013. Project orderer: Croatian Waters. Project leader: Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split.

2011 Biological Baseline Survey. Project orderer: Ministry of maritime affairs, transport and infrastructure. Project leader: Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split.

2010 – 2011 Characterisation of the area and creation of proposal of programme and monitoring execution of the state of transitional and coastal waters in the Adriatic, according to the Water Framework Directive EU (2000/60/ec). Second part: Results of the monitoring of chemical and ecological state in transitional and coastal water bodies, with estimation of their hydro-morphological state. Project orderer: Croatian Waters. Project leader: Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split.

2011 Environmental impact assessment study “Monitoring programme for the exploration of the sea, flora and fauna near the gas platform Annamaria A“.Project orderer: INAgip d.o.o. according to tender Nr. 469/11-DI. Project leader: Ruđer Bošković Institute, Center for Marine Research, Rovinj.

2008 Environmental impact assessment study “Impact of drilled material on the sea – research of benthos on the area aimed for the rigs Anna and Annamaria”. Project orderer: INAgip d.o.o. Project leader: Ruđer Bošković Institute, Center for Marine Research, Rovinj.

Other professional experience

Collaboration and visiting scientist:

• From 2019 – Collaboration with the Department of Bio molecular Sciences (DiSB) of the Urbino University “Carlo Bo” in researches oriented to taxonomy and ecology of macro- and meiobenthonic polychaetes.
• Study visit and training in the use of Molecular methods in systematics and taxonomy and use of Scanning Electrone Microscope, Department of Marine Zoology (Marine Invertebrates II section), Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum, Frankfurt, Germany, 5-19 June 2011.
• Study visit and research in the Laboratory of Zoology and Marine Biology, Department of Sciences and Biological and Environmental Technology (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy, 4-28 May 2009.
• Study visit and research in the Laboratory of Zoology and Marine Biology, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technology (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Italy, 1 January - 30 June 2008.

Trainings / Workshops attendance:

• Copernicus Marine Service Training Workshop for the 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)”. University of Bologna, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Ravenna, Italy, 11-14 February 2019
• Theoretical-practical Workshop “Microscopy and Biodiversity”. The Italian Society for Microscopical Sciences, University of Urbino, Urbino, Italy, 26-27 November 2018.
• Course “Extraction of DNA from agroalimentry matrices by kit ION Spin DNA Prep One-for-All and revelation of allergens by kit SPECIALfinder on Real-Time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) instrumental platform. Institute of Higher Education "Ettore Majorana", San Lazzaro di Savenna, Italy, 6 March 2018
• SEM-EDS (Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy) training course. 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 the use of inventory tools developed in the framework of MAP for national inventories of 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, in Cases of Emergency, Combating pollution of 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, 28 September - 5 October 2003
• "Blue school" - Marine and Coastal Ecosystems and Management, WWF, (World Wide Fund for Nature), Sitges, Spain, 7-17 July 2002
• Workshop “Monitoring techniques applied to Marine Protected Areas management”, National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics/Marine Protected Area Miramare, Trieste, Italy, 19 September 2002
• Workshop "National review of the marine and coastal biodiversity in the Republic of Croatia", Ministry of the Environment of the Republic of Croatia, Rijeka, Croatia, 27 March 2002
• Research training scholarship, Waste Water Treatment Laboratory, Environmental Office of the City of Åarhus, Aarhus, Denmark, 1 September - 25 December 2000

Participation in environmental protection projects:

From 2000 to 2016 member of the non-governmental environmental association “Zelena Istra - Istria verde”, Pula, Croatia. Participation in numerous activities and projects, and in particular:

• 2007 – 2008 “KaPo - Common management of protected areas Kamenjak and Pohorje”. Interreg IIIA Hungary-Croatia-Slovenia 2004-2006. Activities: participation in the project planning and writing; planning of setting-up of the Visiting Center dedicated to the Natural Protected Area Kamenjak (Istra, Croatia); conception of educational materials for the Visiting Center; coordination of collaboration activities between the local and regional nature protection entities, Municipality of Medulin and environmental organisation “Green Istria”.
• 2003 – 2005 “Green agenda in Istria”. Matra program of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Activities: leader of the subproject “Green agenda of Medulin Community”. Application of the Green Agenda process; coordination and various activities in collaboration with stakeholders’ representatives of the community of Medulin, for the creation of the mutual strategy for sustainable local environmental management.
• 2004 “Education designated towards the institution of marine protected area at Cape Kamenjak and towards the protection of the Posidonia oceanica meadows”. Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Croatia. Activities: promotional activities for the institution of the marine protected area in the locality of the Cape Kamenjak; organization of workshops and round tables for the representatives of different local and regional statkeholders; collaboration with other marine protected areas abroad.
• 2003 “Protection and promotion of the importance of the endemic Posidonia oceanica meadows”. Governmental office for the collaboration with the non-governmental associations of the Republic of Croatia. Activities: leader of the Project; project planning and writing; coordination of the project activities; conception and production of the educational materials (including one underwater documentary) dedicated to the protection of the Posidonia oceanica meadows in the Istrian Region; lessons dedicated to the citizens, environmental protection authorities and school children, on the importance and protection of the Posidonia oceanica meadows.

Scientific dissemination and environmental education activities:

• Organisation of the underwater photography exhibition “Colourful worms of the Adriatic Sea” (concept and design: Mikac, B., Arko-Pijevac, M.; photographer: Babić, M.), European Researchers Night 2019, University of Bologna, Campus Ravenna, Italy, 27 September 2019.
• Participation in the organisation of the educational laboratory dedicated to the Adriatic marine biodiversity for the school children of Marina di Ravenna. Event “PortoLaScuola”, Marina di Ravenna, 3 June 2019.
• Participation in the organisation of the educational laboratories dedicated to the Adriatic marine biodiversity for children between 6 and 14 years of age. DIGITA - event dedicated to the scientific dissemination and digital culture, Art Museum of the City of Ravenna, 5-6 April 2019.
• Participation in the organisation of the educational laboratory dedicated to the Adriatic marine biodiversity for children between 8 and 14 years of age. Event UNIJUNIOR Ravenna: conoscere per crescere, Palazzo Corradini, Ravenna, 30 March 2019.
• Participation in the organisation of the underwater photography exhibition “Adriatic Polychaetes – those wormlike creatures from the sea bottom”. International museum day, Natural History Museum Rijeka, Croatia, 18 May 2018.
• Invited lecture “The role of the underwater film in the marine protection” and underwater documentary show “Save Posidonia oceanica meadows” (Mikac, B., 2003). International underwater film and photography festival “Il Leone bianco”, Rovinj, Croatia, 27 August 2010.
• Different activities in the frame of the projects of the environmental association “Green Istria”, Pula, Croatia, from 2002 to 2012.
• Invited lecture “Endangered marine species and their conservation and underwater documentary show “Save Posidonia oceanica meadows” (Mikac, B., 2003). Marine school “School children get to know our sea” of the Italian high school Dante Alighieri, Pula, Croatia, 5 September 2005.
• Lecture “Exploration of the Sea in 21^st Century”. Open days of the Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, 13-15 May 2004.

Organisation of international conferences:

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

Teaching activities:

• November 2017 – July 2018 Teacher (Exam class A050) in subjects “Biology” and “Biology, microbiology and healthcare control” at the Institute of Higher Education "Ettore Majorana", Technical and technological Institute - orientation “Chemistry, materials and biotechnologies – Healthcare biotechnologies” (San Lazzaro di Savena, Italy). 2017 – 2020 registered in merit ranking of the Institute of III range for the Exam classes: A050 – Natural, Chemical and Biological Sciences, A031 – Food Science, A028 – Mathematics and Sciences; 2020 – 2021 registered in the provincial merit ranking for the Exam classes: A050 – Natural, Chemical and Biological Sciences, A031 – Food Science, A028 – Mathematics and Sciences.
• Musco, L., Mikac, B. “Training course in benthic taxonomy: Annelids Polychaetes”. Organization and holding lectures and laboratory activities for the employees of ARPA Sicily, in the frame of the project "Impacts of invasion of alien Caulerpa species on the coastal communities of southern Sicily" (CNR-IAMC and ARPA Sicily). ARPA Sicily, Palermo, Italy, 23-27 September 2013.

Supervision of student and research fellows:

• Alessandro Giordano, Master course in Marine Biology, University of Bologna, Italy. Co-supervisor of the master thesis: “Spatial-temporal variability of benthic assemblages across Mediterranean Sea using Artificial Substrate Units (ASUs)”. Academic year 2019/2020.
• Giorgia Olivieri, Master course in Marine Biology, University of Bologna, Italy. Co-supervisor of the master thesis: “Use of autonomous reef monitoring structures (ARMS) to evaluate spatial and temporal variability of cryptofauna assemblages across the Mediterranean Sea”. Academic year 2020/2021.
• Alessandro Tarullo, research fellow on the project “BANDO ALTE COMPETENZE 2019 - Monitoring of the alien species in the mollusc aquaculture farms in the Emilia-Romagna region: impacts and mitigation measures", Interdepartmental Research Centre for Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna. Research fellow supervisor, 01.03.2020.- 28.02.2021.
• Michele Adda, Master course in the Environmental Analyses and Management, University of Bologna, Italy. Co-supervisor of the master thesis: “Possible ecological effects of continuous hydraulic sediment removal as an alternative to dredging at a small port entrance (Cervia, northern Adriatic Sea). Academic year 2019/2020.
• Marika Mecca, Master course in Marine Biology, University of Bologna, Italy. Co-supervisor of the master thesis: “Monitoring of non-indigenous species in aquacultured mollusc Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamark 1819 of the Emilia-Romagna region”. Academic year 2020/2021.
• Valentina Cappucci, Master course in the Environmental Analyses and Management, University of Bologna, Italy. Co-supervisor of the master thesis: “Identificazione di specie infestanti associate all’ostrica Magallana gigas (Thunberg, 1793) per una gestione sostenibile della molluschicoltura del mare Nord Adriatico”. Academic year 2020/2021.
• Alberto Orengo, Master course in Marine Biology, University of Bologna, Italy. Co-supervisor of the master thesis: “Assessment of Mediterranean marine benthic biodiversity using Artificial Substrate Units (ASUs).” Academic year 2018/2019.
• Stefania Fin, bachelor student, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Natural Sciences, University of Salento, Italy. Co-supervisor of the graduate thesis: “Analisi faunistica dei Syllidae (Annelida, Polychaeta) di fondo duro dell'isola di Sveti Ivan (Rovigno, Croazia)”. Academic year 2008/2009.
  

Invited lectures and seminars

• Mikac, B. Diversity of polychaetes in the Adriatic Sea and the importance of regular taxonomic updating. Presentation on workshop “Census of Marine Mediterranean Benthic biodiversity: an integrative metabarcoding approach (CoMBoMed)”. University of Bologna, Department of Cultural Heritage, Ravenna, Italy, 12 February 2019.
• Mikac, B. A sea of worms – diversity and ecology of the Adriatic Sea polychaetes. Seminar for bachelor students in Environmental Sciences and master students in Marine Biology, University of Bologna, Sciences classrooms, Ravenna, Italy, 29 November 2018.
• Mikac, B. Posidonia oceanica meadows - treasury of biodiversity of the Adriatic Sea. Seminar for the students of the University of Halmstadt (Sweden) in the frame of the ECT course “Ecology and Management of Coastal Waters”. Italy, University of Salento, 8 May 2008.

Grants and awards:

• 2009 Award for the best student oral presentation. Mediterranean Seagrass Workshop, 6-9 settembre 2009, Hvar, Croazia.
• 2008 Student research grant of the Government of the Republic of Italy for Croatian citizens for the academic year 2007/2008. Duration 6 months, University of Salento, Italy. Research project title: “Faunal and biogeographic analyses of the Adriatic Sea polychaetes: taxonomic comparison of the polychaetes of Istrian and Salento coast”. Awarded: 3.700,00 EUR.
• 2005 Third place in the category of the professional documentary for the film: “Save Posidonia oceanica meadows treasury of biological diversity of the Adriatic Sea”. First International underwater photography and film Festival of the eastern Mediterranean, Famagusta, Cyprus.
• 2005 Special award for the film “Save Posidonia oceanica meadows treasury of biological diversity of the Adriatic Sea”. Marmara Underwater film and photography Festival, Istanbul, Turkey.
• 2004 Special award for the film “Save Posidonia oceanica meadows treasury of biological diversity of the Adriatic Sea”. Eight International Underwater film Festival, Belgrade, Serbia.
• 2003 Croatian Governmental Office for the Cooperation with NGOs. Project grant. Project title: “Protection and public awareness rising on the importance of endemic Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows”. Environmental organization “Green Istria”. Project leader: Barbara Mikac. Awarded: 6.800,00 EUR.

Membersip

• From 2021 – The Systematic Association
• 2000 – 2016 Non-governmental Environmental Association “Green Istria”
• 1996 – 2002 Non-governmental association for the nature research and conservation “Thais”
• 1991 – 1995 and 2003 – 2012 Underwater activities club “Uljanik”

Skills and qualifications

Italian National Scientific Qualification (ASN)

Competition sector 05/B1 Zoology and Anthropology, II range, valid from 19/11/2020 to 19/11/2029

Languages:

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

French (basic spoken and written)

Computer skills:

OS Windows, OS Linux, MS Office, LibreOffice, Primer-E with Permanova+, GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Certificates:

Scuba diver CMAS 3 stars, CMAS Marine Biology Instructor, driving licence B category, ship guiding licence.