Head
alenka.vesel@ijs.si+38614773502
Prof. Dr Alenka Vesel
Prof. Dr Alenka Vesel is a senior researcher at the Department. She has contributed her know-how in many scientific projects in collaboration with different organisations, either as a project leader or a project team member. She is working on the development and application of various plasma technologies. Her main area of interest is the interaction of plasma radicals with surfaces and the surface modification of materials by plasmas. Her particular focus is the functionalisation of polymer materials. She is performing research and characterisation of surface properties of materials. She has specialised in the surface characterisation of materials using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. She is also active in pedagogical activities at Jožef Stefan International postgraduate school.
Current and past positions
- 2003–present, senior researcher at the Department of Surface Engineering (F4), Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 2008–present, associate professor at Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School
- 2014, co-founder of the company Plasmadis d.o.o.
- 2010–2012, scientific researcher at Center of Excellence
- 1999–2003, PhD student at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Vacuum Science, University of Maribor, Slovenia
- 2001–2002, visiting student, University in Ioannina, Greece (molecular dynamics simulations)
- 1999, BSc degree at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Department for Physics, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 2019–present, the president of Slovenian Society for Vacuum Science and Technology
- Membership of scientific societies
- 1999–2019, Treasurer and Executive Committee member of the Slovenian Society for Vacuum Science and Technology
- A member of scientific or organising committees of several international conferences
- Slovenian representative for Plasma Science and Technology Division (2007–2013), Biointerfaces (2013–2019), and Applied Surface Science Division (2019–present) in IUVSTA organisation (International Union for Vacuum Science, Technique and Applications, Brussels, Belgium)Membership of scientific societies
- A member of an editorial board of several international SCI journals (Materials, Coatings, Surface and Coatings Technology)
Main competences
- Development and application of plasma technologies
- Plasma characterisation and diagnostics
- Surface modification of materials
- Interaction of gaseous plasma with organic materials (polymers)
- Surface characterisation of materials (XPS)
Leading researchers
miran.mozetic@ijs.si+38614773405
Prof. Dr Miran Mozetič
Prof. Dr Miran Mozetič received his BSc. Degree of Physics University of Ljubljana, Slovenia in 1988. In 1992 he received the M. Sc. Degree from the University of Maribor, Slovenia, and in 1997 the Ph. D. Degree of Electronic Vacuum Technology from the University of Maribor. In 1993 he attended courses on the Application of synchrotron radiation techniques at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics in Trieste, Italy. He joined Jožef Stefan Institute in 2003, and since 2009 he is the Head of Department F4 (Department of Surface Engineering). He is the leader of a research group (currently 20 members + several students) working on the generation and characterisation of highly reactive gaseous plasma, interdisciplinary research on the interaction of non-equilibrium plasma with solid materials, fusion-oriented research on plasma-surface interaction, plasma nanoscience, plasma techniques for medicine and agriculture as well as the development of different technologies for industrial partners from Slovenia and abroad. He has been a partner in over 10 EU projects. At home in Slovenia, he teaches Plasma technologies and Patent applications. He has served as a guest lecturer at the University of Ioannina, Greece, Universite Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France, University of Leeds, England, University of Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.A., University of Nagoya, Japan, Universite du Maine, Le Mans, France, University of Sydney, Australia, Nanyang University of Technology, Singapore, University of Illinois, Urbana, USA, University Tomas Bata, Zlin, Czech Republic and Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, India. His bibliography includes over 300 scientific papers and 30 patents. His Hirsch index is 40. He is involved in the creation of Slovenian R&D policy, and he is a Board member of the Centre of Excellence for Polymer Materials and Strategic Partnership Factories of Future. In 2011 he received the most prestigious Slovenian prize for technology transfer to industrial production – “Puh award”.
Current and past positions
- 2009–present, head of the Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 2003–2009, deputy head of the Department of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 2000–2003, deputy director of the Institute of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 1997–2000, head of plasma laboratory at the Institute of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 1988, BSc degree, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Membership of scientific societies and committees
- 2007–2013, president of Slovenian vacuum society
- 2010–2019, Chair of Education Committee, IUVSTA)
- 2010–present, member of New York Academy of Sciences
- 2010–present, member of the board, Centre of excellence for polymer materials
- 2017–present, member of council, Strategic Partnership “Factories of Future”
- President of 8 international conferences, member of the program and/or organising committees of numerous conferences, referee for numerous journals
Main competences
- Generation and characterisation of highly reactive gaseous plasma
- Interdisciplinary research on the interaction of non-equilibrium plasma with solid materials
- Fusion-oriented research on plasma-surface interaction
- Plasma nanoscience
- Plasma techniques for medicine and agriculture
- Development of different technologies for industrial partners
rok.zaplotnik@ijs.si+38614773672
Asst. Prof. Dr Rok Zaplotnik
Assistant Professor Dr Rok Zaplotnik is an excellent experimental researcher and a resourceful developer. He keeps researching and digging until he gets to the bottom of it. Even though he joined the department only in 2012, he already has an extensive bibliography, including more than 180 units, with more than 80 scientific articles and more than 5 patents. His experience in the industry is advantageous when he is constructing new plasma systems. It also helps him to look at a problem not only from a scientific but also from an industrial point of view.
Current and past positions
- July 2017–present, assistant professor in the programme “Eco technologies” at Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School
- 2017–present, a researcher at a spin-off company Plasmadis Ltd.
- January 2016–present, scientific Associate at the Department of Surface Engineering (F4), Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- September 2012–January 2016, post-doctoral fellow at the Department of Surface Engineering (F4), Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- March 2008–August 2012, PhD candidate and young researcher in the industry at Induktio d.o.o.
Main competences
- Plasma characterisation with catalytic probes, optical emission spectroscopy, laser absorption spectroscopy and mass spectrometry
- Construction of plasma systems
- RF, MW low-pressure plasmas, atmospheric pressure plasmas, plasmas in liquids, fusion plasma
- Materials treatment with plasma
- Plasma-enhanced deposition
- Plasma surface interactions
- LabView, Autocad, Simatic, Mathematica, Python
- Membership of scientific societies
- Executive committee member of the Slovenian Vacuum Society
- Member of the editorial board of International Journal Materials and Technology (2016–present)
ita.junkar@ijs.si+38614773885
Asst. Prof. Dr Ita Junkar
Ita Junkar is a senior researcher at the Department. She finished her PhD in nanoscience and nanotechnology in 2010. She is actively involved in interdisciplinary research activities primarily based on surface modification of biomaterials. She has experience in multidisciplinary work, working with medical doctors and microbiologists in the field of biomaterials. She collaborated on numerous Slovenian research projects as well as European. She published more than 50 research articles and five book chapters, mainly in the plasma processing of biomaterials (Scopus; pure citations 1014, h index 18). She published her work in some high-ranking journals, and for example, in the year 2014, the paper in Molecules was evaluated to be the second-best paper in this journal. In the year 2011, she and the co‐authors received the best paper award in the Vacuum journal. Due to highly innovative approaches, she has filled 5 patent applications and has already 4 granted patents; one in Slovenia, one in Austria, and two European patents. She had invited talks at scientific meetings and universities. Often she acts as a review for high-ranking journals, is the evaluator of research projects, and is a member of EU Expert Panels in the field of medical devices. She is also a topic editor of the journal Molecules (IF 3.26).
Current and past positions
- 2019–present, assistant professor at Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 2013–present, a scientific associate at the Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 2010–2013, a researcher at the Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 2006–2010, a young researcher at the Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 2005–2006, a young researcher at the Faculty for Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 2004–2005, internship at BIA Separations d.o.o., Ljubljana, Slovenia
Main competences
- Plasma surface interactions (different plasma systems and materials)
- Biomaterials (biocompatibility/hemocompatibility/antibacterial surfaces)
- Synthesis of nanostructured materials
- Organisational skills and mentorship
- Long term experience in intellectual property rights (IPR) and patent filling
- Membership of scientific societies and committees
- Member of EU commission of the Expert Panels in the field of medical devices (Ref. 804/PP/GRO/CODEL/20)
- Topic editor of journal Macromolecules
- Member and coordinator of Plasma Technologies, SRIP, Factories of the Future
- Member of the executive board of Slovenian Society for Vacuum Technique
- Coordinator for technology transfer at department F4
- Member of America Chemical Society (ACS)
- Member of International Vacuum Society
gregor.primc@ijs.si+38614773672
Asst. Prof. Dr Gregor Primc
Assistant Professor Dr Gregor Primc is very resourceful and used to working in interdisciplinary groups. Although he joined Jožef Stefan Institute only in November 2010 (PhD May 2014), he has contributed his know-how to more than 10 projects where he conducted numerous plasma material treatments, plasma optimisations, and analyses. His research explores solid material interaction with low-pressure plasma and atmospheric pressure plasma, liquid media, advancement in plasma diagnostic techniques, and transferring plasma science into industrial settings.
Current and past positions
- September 2020–present, a scientific associate at the Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 2019–present, assistant professor in the program “Sensor Technologies” at Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 2017–present, leader of a value chain “Smart Plasma Systems” and a member of the program committee of the Strategic Research and Innovation Partnership Factories of Future (SRIP FoF), Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 2014–present, director of a spin-off company Plasmadis Ltd., Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 2014–2020, postdoctoral associate at the Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 2010–2014, PhD candidate at the Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 2010, BSc degree, Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Membership of scientific societies and committees
- European Microscopy Society member
- Executive Committee member of the Slovenian Vacuum Society
- Executive Committee member of the Slovenian Society for Microelectronics, Electronic Components and Materials (MIDEM)
- President of the organisation committee of several international conferences, member of the international scientific committee of PlAgri COST Action workshop on plasma applications for innovative and sustainable agriculture,
Main competences
- Plasma technologies (DC, RF, MW and atmospheric pressure plasma)
- Plasma characterisation and diagnostics (electrical probes, laser probes, catalytic probes, optical emission spectroscopy, etc.)
- LabView™, Matlab™, C# programming
- Plasma interaction with solid materials
- Plasma in agriculture (seeds, disinfection/sterilisation of microbes and water cleaning)
- Active in organising conferences, being the head organiser and chair of the organising committee of 6 conferences (2 organised in Asia)
- The referee for journals Scientific Reports, Surface & Coatings Technology
- Experience in IPR, forming spin-off companies, transferring research into industry
- Mentoring
nina.recek@ijs.si+38614773672
Dr Nina Recek
Dr Nina Recek is a young doctor and early career researcher; she obtained a PhD degree in April 2015 at Jozef Stefan International postgraduate school, Jozef Stefan Institute. Her background is Chemical engineering, with emphasise on Biochemical Engineering. During her PhD, she worked in several research groups and plasma labs in Europe and the USA, mainly researching biocompatibility of materials for biomedical applications. After PhD, she joined the Plasma group at the Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), where she worked on optimising yeast cells’ fermentation efficiency using cold atmospheric plasma. After completing her postdoc, she started leading a big agriculture project, using plasma to treat seeds for ecologically friendly and sustainable agriculture.
Current and past positions
- October 2017–present, a researcher at the Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- March 2016–September 2017, postdoctoral researcher at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia (Australian Government research grant, Endeavour fellowship)
- September 2013–March 2014, visiting researcher at The George Washington University, School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Washington, DC USA (Ad Futura fellow)
- October 2011–April 2015, PhD candidate at the Department of Surface Engineering at Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Main competences
- Plasma treatment of materials
- Plasma Agriculture (treatment of various seeds)
- Plasma Medicine (biocompatibility of materials, treatment of cancer cells)
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)
- MultiPak, AFM Nova, Origin, ImageJ software
- Active in organising conferences, helping with the organisation of meetings and conferences, member of the organising committee
metka.bencina@ijs.si+38614773885
Dr Metka Benčina
Research assistant Dr Metka Benčina joined Jožef Stefan Institute in May 2017 as a Principal investigator of Slovenian Ministry of Education, Science and Sport grant – “Public call for encouraging young investigators at the beginning of their career 2.0”. She is currently involved in several national grants and a program focusing mainly on developing novel metal-based biomaterials used as stents and orthopaedic implants. Her main research interests are synthesising nanostructured materials (particularly oxide coatings on the surface of metals used in medical applications) and improving biocompatibility through various surface treatments involving atmospheric and low‑pressure plasma. Dr Benčina is experienced in several surface/material characterisation techniques (SEM, XRD, WCA, AFM, UV-Vis), investigating interactions between synthesised nano‑surfaces and biological materials (mammalian and microbial cells). She has a record of published and submitted scientific papers in the A‑ranked journals, several book chapters, and a track of contributions on the international conferences – two as an invited speaker, once awarded for “the best speaker”. She co‑authored two granted EU patents.
Current and past positions
- November 2020–present, research assistant at the Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- June 2020–present, research assistant at the Laboratory of Biophysics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
- June 2020–October 2020, a researcher at Tecos, Slovenian Tool and Die Development Centre, Celje, Slovenija
- June 2017–May 2020, research assistant at the Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- April 2016–April 2017, research assistant at the Laboratory of Biophysics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
- October 2011–May 2015, a PhD student at the Materials Research Laboratory, University of Nova Gorica, Slovenia
- Membership of scientific societies
- Society for Biomaterials
- European Society for Biomaterials
Main competences
- Synthesis of nanomaterials (focusing on the oxide coatings on the metal surfaces used as medical devices), electrochemical anodisation, hydrothermal/furnace treatment
- Characterisation (SEM, XRD, WCA, AFM, UV-Vis)
- Surface treatments involving atmospheric and low-pressure plasma
- Biocompatibility studies (various mammalian cells including blood platelets)
parameswaram.ganji@ijs.si+38614773672
Parameswaram Ganji
Dr. Parameswaram Ganji received his Ph.D. degree in the Department of Chemistry, Andhra University, India/CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, India. After his PhD, he was awarded a prestigious National Postdoctoral Fellowship (N-PDF) sponsored by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), DST, Government of India. After his NPDF, Dr. Parameswaram worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter (FJIRSM), Chinese Academy of Sciences (P. R. China). After, he joined as a Research Assistant Professor at the National Institute of Chemistry (NIC) in Ljubljana, Slovenia. He is currently working as a Research Assistant Professor at the Department of Surface Engineering (F4) at the Jožef Stefan Institute in Ljubljana, Slovenia. His research work is focused on heterogeneous catalysis, biodiesel and biomass conversion to green fuels, photocatalysis, and electrocatalytic materials for CO2 reduction to methanol, etc. Dr. Parameswaram is experienced in various characterization and analytical techniques (SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS, GC, GC-MS, HPLC, TPD, and TPR). He has published a number of scientific articles in category A‑journals, authored several book chapters, and presented a number of papers at international conferences–two of them as invited speaker. He is co‑author of a granted Indian patent.
Current and past positions
- Research Assistant Professor (Nov 2023–present), at Department of Surface Engineering (F4), Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Research Assistant Professor (Oct 2021 – Oct 2023), at National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Project Fellow (Feb 2021 – May 2021), (Industrial project handling), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad, India.
- Postdoctoral Fellow (Oct 2019 – June 2020), Fujian institute of research on the structure of matter (FJIRSM, P R China).
- Postdoctoral Fellow (Sep 2017 – Sep 2019), National Post-Doctoral Fellow (N-PDF), at BITs Pilani, Hyderabad campus, Jawahar Nagar, Shameerpet, Hyderabad 500078, Telangana, India.
- Ph.D. candidate (July 2011 – Sep 2017) at CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad, India.
Main competences
- Heterogeneous catalysis
- Synthesis of nanostructured materials
- Plasma catalysis
- Biomass to value-added chemicals and fuels
- CO2 reduction to methanol by Photocatalysis
Researchers
Pia Starič, MSc mol. biol.
Young researcher Pia Starič (MSc mol. biol.) joined Jožef Stefan Insitute in October 2019 as a PhD student. She is currently studying the effects of cold plasma pre-treatment of seeds on morphology, biochemistry and physiology of seeds and seedlings of important crop species.
Past and current positions
- October 2019–present, PhD candidate at the Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 2019, MSc degree, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Main competences
- Plasma technologies (RF low-pressure plasma)
- Optimisation of plasma parameters for seed treatment
- Plant physiology (seed and seedling germination, development and growth)
- Biochemical changes in seeds (photosynthetic pigments, lipid peroxidation, amylase activity)
- Seed morphology, biochemistry and physiology
- Membership of scientific societies and committees
- Federation of European Societies of Plant Biology
- The Slovenian Society of Plant Biology
jernej.ekar@ijs.si+38614773849
Jernej Ekar, MSc chemistry
Young researcher Jernej Ekar is part of the laboratory for surface analysis. He began his PhD studies in September 2019. His primary expertise is SIMS (secondary ion mass spectrometry), including measurements, data interpretation, instrument maintenance, and optimisation of the method itself. Some of the more basic instruments in the laboratory (microtome, circular saw), meant for the sample preparation before the surface analysis, are also under his guidance. Nevertheless, he is also skilled with the XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), AES (Auger electron spectroscopy) and AFM (atomic force microscopy) analysis, all of which can be done in the laboratory for surface analysis as well. He collaborates via analysis requirements with colleagues from the F4 department, other IJS departments, Slovenian and foreign universities and institutes, and industry partners.
Current and past positions
- September 2019–present, a young researcher (PhD candidate) at the Department of Surface Engineering at Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- September 2017–June 2019, professor of Chemistry at the (High) School centre Postojna and Gimnazija Ilirska Bistrica, Slovenia
- December 2014–July 2017, a student researcher at the National Institute of Chemistry, NMR centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Main competences
- Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS)
- Surface and interface analysis
- Sample preparation
- Depth profiling, imaging and 3D reconstruction
- XPS, AES and AFM
- Ultra-high vacuum technologies
- Pedagogy and andragogy
- Knowledge transfer
mark.zver@ijs.si+38614773672
Mark Zver, MSc virology
MSc Mark Zver is a PhD candidate who joined the team last year, after leaving his previous position as a business developer at an industrial biotech company. He obtained his degree in Biotechnology at Aalborg University (Denmark). He is an active alumni member of BEST Ljubljana and BEST Aalborg and is the current VP of the Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School Student Council. His research is focused on studying viral inactivation with plasma and plasma-treated materials, which he performs in collaboration with the National Institute of Biology (NIB).
Current and past positions
- November 2020–present, PhD candidate at the Department of Surface Engineering, Jozef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 2017–2020, business developer at Acies Bio d.o.o.
- 2015–2017, MSc Biotechnology candidate at Aalborg University (Denmark)
Main competences
- Genetic engineering (bacteria, fungi)
- Microbiology
- Bioprocessing
- Downstream processing
- Analytics
Pia Starič, MSc mol. biol.
Young researcher Pia Starič (MSc mol. biol.) joined Jožef Stefan Insitute in October 2019 as a PhD student. She is currently studying the effects of cold plasma pre-treatment of seeds on morphology, biochemistry and physiology of seeds and seedlings of important crop species.
Past and current positions
- October 2019–present, PhD candidate at the Department of Surface Engineering, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 2019, MSc degree, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Main competences
- Plasma technologies (RF low-pressure plasma)
- Optimisation of plasma parameters for seed treatment
- Plant physiology (seed and seedling germination, development and growth)
- Biochemical changes in seeds (photosynthetic pigments, lipid peroxidation, amylase activity)
- Seed morphology, biochemistry and physiology
- Membership of scientific societies and committees
- Federation of European Societies of Plant Biology
- The Slovenian Society of Plant Biology
