Aleksandra LOBNIK

Aleksandra Lobnik graduated from the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology in Ljubljana in 1991. She obtained her PhD in 1998 at the Karl Franzens Institute for Organic Analytical Chemistry, University of Graz, Austria. In 1998/1999 she completed her postdoctoral training at the same university. Since 2009 she is a full professor at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, where she teaches chemistry, analytical chemistry, nanomaterials and environmental science. Aleksandra Lobnik's research focuses on the development of novel optical chemical and biosensors for various applications such as personal protection and security, smart textiles, environmental protection, food, medicine. The focus of her research is on the synthesis of new materials, nanomaterials, biomaterials and sol-gels that improve sensing properties.

In 2006, she co-founded and is partly employed at IOS Ltd. Currently, she is mainly involved in applied scientific research in the fields of sensors, nanomaterials and recycling technologies. In the last five years she has been involved in the development of new technologies such as the DEMO pilot plant, which deals with the depolymerisation of plastic and textile waste into valuable secondary raw materials. In recent years, it has also been actively involved in the development of innovative products such as: the Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) for recycling municipal wastewater; Sensors for measuring ammonia in aqueous media and air; Sensors for detecting the freshness of foodstuffs.

Aleksandra Lobnik is also active in science promotion, regularly invited to various committees and giving a wide range of interviews, lectures on recycling technologies, sensors, nanoscience in widely available media such as television, daily newspapers and magazines.