Senior Technician, Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Austria
Milica Pastar is a Senior Technician at AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, specializing in microbial cultivation, RNA/DNA extraction, and next-generation sequencing (NGS). With a background in Biology, she has worked extensively in plant-microbe interactions and conducted various research projects focused on microbial diversity, plant health, and agricultural innovations 🌱🔬. She holds an MSc in Biology from the University of Vienna and has contributed significantly to peer-reviewed publications and patents in the field of biotechnology and environmental microbiology.
Profile
Scopus
Education
Milica completed her MSc in Biology at the University of Vienna (2004-2006) after obtaining her degree in Biology from the University of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina (1997-2006). Her academic journey began with high school in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina (1993-1997), and has led her to specialize in microbial and plant biology 🧑🎓🌍.
Experience
Milica has been with AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH since 2009, where she advanced from Technician to Senior Technician in 2021. During her tenure, she has focused on microbial screening, qPCR assays, and NGS techniques to advance environmental and agricultural research. Her diverse role includes microbial analysis, plant-inoculation experiments, and collaborations on projects related to microbial detoxification and food safety 🌾🔍.
Research Interest
Milica’s research interests are centered on microbial ecology, plant-microbe interactions, and the development of new biotechnological methods for enhancing plant health and environmental sustainability. She has worked on several projects involving the inoculation of plants, DNA extraction, and microbial diversity in food metagenomes. Her contributions have advanced the understanding of microbial communities in agriculture and the human microbiome 🌿🦠.
Award
Milica has contributed to numerous publications and patents in the field of microbiology and plant science. Her research has significantly impacted the agricultural and environmental biotechnology sectors, particularly in the development of plant-endophyte combinations and microbial decontamination methods. Notable awards include recognition for her work in microbial dechlorination and enhancing plant growth under stress conditions 🏆🌱.
Publication
Serena AS, et al. (2025). “Naked-Eye Molecular Testing for the Detection of Xylella fastidiosa.” Applied Sciences. Link
Carlino N, et al. (2024). “Unexplored microbial diversity from 2,500 food metagenomes.” Cell. Link
Liu J, et al. (2023). “Effect of Bacillus paralicheniformis on soybean roots.” J Agro Crop Sci. Link
Summer D, et al. (2020). “Synergistic effects of microbial anaerobic dechlorination.” New Biotechnology. Link
Naveed M, et al. (2014). “The endophyte Enterobacter sp. FD17: A maize growth enhancer.” Biol Fertil Soils. Link
Conclusion
Milica Pastar is an excellent candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to her profound contributions in microbiology, environmental biotechnology, and plant-microbe interactions. Her publications, patents, and collaborative projects highlight her as an innovator and leader in her field. Enhancing her public engagement and citation index could further elevate her standing as a leading researcher in environmental sciences.