Jelena Samardžić, PhD, is a plant molecular biologist with more than 25 years of experience in plant stress physiology, molecular genetics, and bioactive compounds. Since 1999, she has been affiliated with the IMGGE, where she is currently a Research Associate Professor and Head of the Group for Plant Molecular Biology. Her research vision is to integrate advanced molecular insights with practical interventions that strengthen food security, promote environmental sustainability, and enhance human well-being.

Her work employs an integrative approach that combines molecular biology, physiology, and omics technologies to investigate how plants respond to abiotic stress. A central focus has been on the role of beneficial elements and seed priming in enhancing plant resilience. These studies have advanced the understanding of plant nutrition and stress tolerance while revealing new strategies to improve crop performance under adverse environmental conditions. By linking fundamental research with applied science, she contributes simultaneously to scientific progress and sustainable agricultural development.

Dr. Samardžić’s career is marked by interdisciplinarity and international collaboration, at the interface of plant molecular biology, biotechnology, biosafety, and policy. Through active participation in European and national research and policy-making consortia, she has fostered innovative approaches to sustainable agriculture and contributed to shaping the responsible application of new biotechnological tools.

Beyond her research achievements, Dr. Samardžić is committed to education, mentorship, and science communication. She has supervised one doctoral student and co-supervised two additional doctoral and five master’s students to completion.

She is the mother of two young men and is owned by a cat.