Биографија

Field of Research Interest

Natalija Atanasova-Pancevska’s scientific work bridges microbiology, biotechnology, and environmental science, with a strong emphasis on practical applications. Her studies range from the antimicrobial properties of natural products—such as honey, mushrooms, essential oils, and plant extracts—to the fermentation and enzymatic activity of anaerobic fungi in degrading complex substrates. She has investigated food safety and microbiological risks, including mycotoxigenic molds in spices and microbial contamination in water reservoirs, highlighting the intersection of microbiology with public health.

Her research also explores the biotechnological potential of microorganisms, from cellulolytic enzymes that improve feed digestibility and bread quality, to microbial fertilizers that enhance crop yield and soil health. In parallel, she has contributed to environmental microbiology, studying microbial communities in composting, wastewater, and cave ecosystems. The recurring thread across her work is the search for sustainable microbial solutions—whether in food production, agriculture, or environmental protection—combined with a keen interest in secondary metabolites and their antimicrobial activity.

Links

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalija-Atanasova-Pancevska

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7358-3935

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ukBe14cAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=sra

Книги

Др. активности

Membership in Professional Associations:

• FEMS- Federation of European Microbiological Societies
• EFB- European Federation of Biotechnology
• Society of the Macedonian Microbiologists
• Society of Biologists of Macedonia
• Macedonian Mycological Society
• International Society for Development and Sustainability (ISDS)
• International Association for Food Protection
• International Food Safety and Quality Network (IFSQN)
• Institute for Food Safety Advancement (IFSA)
• CBD Training Academy
• International Cannabinoid Consortium
• Anaerobic Fungi Network
• The Global Harmonization Initiative (GHI)
• The Microbiology Society- UK
• International Society for Microbial Ecology (ISME)
• International Water Resources Association (IWRA)
• Chemical Watch
• Europe-Taiwan Biotech Association (ETBA)
• The European Biotechnology Network (EBN)
• The InnovATEBIO Network
• Bangladesh Nano Society
• International EcotoxicoMic Network
• Member of the FAO e-Agriculture Community of Practice
• Member of the FAO Committee on World Food Security

Scholarships and grants

• 06.12. 1994: Graduate studies fellowship: The Ministry of Education of the Republic of Macedonia
• 24.02. 1997: Grant for the best student of the year: Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Skopje, Macedonia
• 26.04. 1999: Postgraduate studies fellowship: The Ministry of Science of the Republic of Macedonia
• 14.05. 1999: Grant for the best graduated student in 1997 / 98: University "Sts. Cyril and Methodius", Skopje, Macedonia
• 2001- FEMS Meeting Grant by the Organizing Committee of the 10th European Congress On Biotechnology: Biotechnological Challenges In The New Millennium, Madrid, Spain, July 8-11, 2001.
• 2007- FEMS Meeting Grant by the Organizing Committee of the IIIrd International Conference on Enzymes in the Environment, Viterbo, Italy, July 15-19, 
• 2007.2008- Meeting Grant by the Organizing Committee of the XII International Congress of Mycology, IUMS 2008. Istanbul, Turkey. 5-9 August 2008.
• 2008- IUMS Travel Award to attend the IUMS Congress, Istanbul, Turkey. 5-9 August 2008.
• 2020- VDGOOD International Scientist Awards - ISAC 2020

Reviewer in professional and scientific journals:

• 1. African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology
• 2. Journal of Agricultural Biotechnology and Sustainable Development
• 3. Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology
• 4. African Journal of Food Science and Technology
• 5. International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation
• 6. African Journal of Food Science
• 7. International Research Journal of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics
• 8. African Journal of Microbiological Research
• 9. Journal of Brewing and Distilling
• 10. Macedonian Journal of Ecology and Environment
• 11. Journal of Cell and Life Biology
• 12. International Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences and Soil Science
• 13. International Research Journal of Biotechnology
• 14. Journal of Medical and Biological Sciences Research (JMBSR)
• 15. Romanian Biotechnology Letters
• 16. Advances in Medicinal Plant Research
• 17. FEMS Microbial Ecology
• 18. International Journal of Life Science and Medical Research
• 19. Journal of Environment and Waste Management
• 20. Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Technology
• 21. Journal of Microbiology and Biological Sciences of Merit (MRJMBS)
• 22. Chemistry and Biodiversity
• 23. International Journal of Applied Life Sciences
• 24. Advances in Medicinal Plant Research
• 25. Journal of Agricultural Sciences
• 26. FEMS Microbes
• 27. Food Science and Applied Biotechnology
• 28. South Asian Journal of Research in Microbiology
• 29. Open Access Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• 30. Chemical Industry
• 31. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS)
• 32. Environmental and Ecological Research
• 33. Applied Microbiology: Theory and Technology
• 34. International Journal of Innovative Approaches in Agricultural research
• 35. Indian Journal of Microbiological Research
• 36. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Other activities

• • Editorial Board of International Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology
• • Editorial board of World Journal of Biotechnology
• • Editorial board of Journal of Nutritional Science and Healthy Diet
• • Editorial board of World Journal of Food Science and Technology
• • Editorial board of Open Access Journal of Microbiology & Biotechnology
• • Editorial Board of Current Agriculture Research Journal
• • Editorial Board of Journal of Bio-agriculture
• • Editorial Board of Applied Microbiology: Theory & Technology
• • Editorial Board of Indian Journal of Microbiology Research
• • Peer Review Board of Bio-protocol
• • Scientific Committee of 2nd International Conference On Gastronomy, Nutrition And Dietetics
• • Editorial Board of EC Veterinary Sciences
• • Country coordinator of Global Food Microbiology Teachers Network
• • Editorial Board of Food Science and Applied Biotechnology
• • Editorial Board of Food Science and Engineering

Проекти

National projects:

Examination of anaerobic fungi isolated from ruminants and monogastric herbivore animals in Republic of Macedonia. Ministry of education and science. 1.07.2000 – 31.06. 2003. (participant)

Isolation and characterisation of cellulolytic enzimatic complex from anaerobic fungi in Republic of Macedonia. Ministry of education and science. 1.07.2003 – 31.06. 2006. (participant)

Razvoj na tehnolo{ka postapka za proizvodstvo na bio|ubrivo od gnili jabolka i otpadni strugotini so primena na me{ani kulturi od mikroorganizmi. Razvojno-tehnolo{ki proekt. Ministerstvo za obrazovanie i nauka. 1.11.2005-31.10.2006. (Development of technological procedures for the production of bio-fertilizers from rotten apples and waste stems with the application of different cultures of microorganisms. Development-technology project. Ministry of Education and Science. 1.11.2005-31.10.2006 ) (participant)

Влијание на суплементите додадени во храната врз здравствената состојба, производните карактеристики и квалитетот на месото на крапот при интензивно одгледување во кафезен систем. Министерство за земјоделство, шумарство и водостопанство на РМ, 2017. (Influence of supplements added to food on the health status, production characteristics and quality of carp meat during intensive breeding in a cage system. Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy of the Republic of Macedonia, 2017 ) (participant)

Monitoring of water quality of reservoir Shum and hatchery Shum, toward conservation of nature and production of quality salmonide for stocking of open waters in the Republic of Macedonia. Sts. Cyril and Methodius University, 2017 (participant)

Унапредување на истражувачкиот капацитет на лабораториите на институтот за биологија (Improving the research capacity of the laboratories of the Institute of Biology). Sts. Ctril and Methodius University, 2018 (leader)

“MIA EKOPRO-CARP-FEED” НОВА ЗБОГАТЕНА СО ПРОБИОТИЦИ ХРАНА ЗА КРАП (Cyprinus carpio). Fund for Innovation and Technology Development, 2020-2021 (participant)

Современа и Иновативна Едукација во Биологијата (BIOINOEDU) (Contemporary and Innovative Education in Biology-BIOINOEDU). Предизвик за студенти иноватори 2021- Општина Гази Bаба (Challenge for innovative students 2021- Municipality of Gazi Baba) (co-leader).

Влијанието на различните климатски типови во Р. С. Македонија врз бројноста на Bacillus spp. изолирани од почва (The influence of different climate types in R. С. Macedonia on the number of Bacillus spp. isolated from soil). Македонско Еколошко Друштво- МЕД (Macedonian Ecological Society- MES). 2021. (ментор на проект- mentor of the project).

Доопремување на лабораторија за микробиологија на храна - МИКРО НУТРИ ЛАБ- 15.10.2021-15.10.2023. Министерство за образование и наука на РСМ (раководител на проект)

Застапеност на микроорганизми во глацијални езера од националниот парк Пелистер: Одговор кон условите на животната средина (MICRO ECO ICE). Македонско Еколошко Друштво- МЕД (Macedonian Ecological Society- MES). 2022. (ментор на проект- mentor of the project).

Микроорганизми како индикатори за контаминација на минерални води од термални извори на Р.С.Македонија. Македонско Еколошко Друштво- МЕД (Macedonian Ecological Society- MES). 2022. (ментор на проект- mentor of the project).

Микробни биофунгициди како алтернативна биолошка заштита на растенијата (MICROBIOFUN). Македонско Еколошко Друштво- МЕД (Macedonian Ecological Society- MES). 2022. (ментор на проект- mentor of the project).

Физиолошки групи на микроорганизми како показател на еколошкиот статус долж градиентот на надморската висина на планината Баба. Македонско Еколошко Друштво- МЕД (Macedonian Ecological Society- MES). 2023. (ментор на проект- mentor of the project).

Био-органски ѓубрива за одржливо земјоделство: Примена на несимбиотски азотофиксатори. Македонско Еколошко Друштво- МЕД (Macedonian Ecological Society- MES). 2023. (ментор на проект- mentor of the project).

Дистрибуција на микроорганизми кои произведуваат биосурфактанти во контаминирани и неконтаминирани почви: еколошки прифатливи перспективи за ремедијација на животната средина. Македонско Еколошко Друштво- МЕД (Macedonian Ecological Society- MES). 2023. (ментор на проект- mentor of the project).

БИОРЕЦИКЛИРАЊЕ НА ЈАГЛЕРОД ПРЕКУ КОМПОСТИРАЊЕ –Едукација и примена. Предизвик за студенти иноватори 2022- Општина Гази Bаба (Challenge for innovative students 2022- Municipality of Gazi Baba) (leader).

„Национална колекција на микроорганизми на Р.С. Македонија“. Министерство за животна средина и просторно планирање (2022- раководител на проект)

СИТНИ АМА БИТНИ: нов пристап кон обука за безбедност на храна. Предизвик за студенти иноватори 2023- Општина Гази Bаба (Challenge for innovative students 2023- Municipality of Gazi Baba) (leader).

ПОЧВЕНИТЕ БАКТЕРИИ- ПОТЕНЦИЈАЛНИ БИОФУНГИЦИДИ ВО ЗАШТИТАТА НА РАСТЕНИЈАТА. Министерство за животна средина и просторно планирање (2023- раководител на проект)

МИКРОБНИТЕ БИОСУРФАКТАНТИ- ЕКОЛОШКИ ПРИФАТЛИВО РЕШЕНИЕ ЗА САНАЦИЈА НА ЖИВОТНАТА СРЕДИНА. Министерство за животна средина и просторно планирање (2024- раководител на проект)

ЕДУЦИРАНИ МЛАДИ-ЗЕЛЕНА ИДНИНА. Министерство за животна средина и просторно планирање (2024- учесник во проект)

Едукативна иницијатива за управување со отпад – SAY YES TO WASTE LESS. „Clean Airdrom – нула цврст отпад во Општина Аеродром“ Програма EU4M. https://cleanairdrom.mk/

International projects:

Medium - celulose. Tempus-Phare, 2000-2002. (participant)

Isolation and characterisation of cellulolytic enzymatic complex of anaerobic fungi for extending the shelf life of bread. TUBITAC.1.1.2004-31.12.2005. (participant)

UNESCO - MEDCEL (east-west) project, 2004-2006 (participant)

Screening of saponin rich antimicrobial extract to control pathogenes of tomatoes. NАТО programme for security trought science.NATO project. 2007-2009. (participant)

Antibacterial and antifungal activity of selected anaerobic fungi. 2007-2009. Bilateral project with Slovenia (participant)

Center for pre-clincal testing of active supstances (CPCTAS). FP7 PROJECT. 1.05.2008-31.4.2011. (participant)

Isolation and characterization of lactic acid bacteria from Macedonian red and white wines which produce bacteriocins. TUBITAK 06.2009-06.2011. (participant)

Antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of selected medical macromycetes from Macedonia and Montenegro. 2016-2017. Bilateral project with Montenegro. (participant)

Soil Degradation Assessment And Rehabilitation Strategies For Sustainble Land Planing (Terra Med). The IPA Cross-Border Programme “Grece– The Former Yugoslav Rebupilc Macedonia 2013-2017” (participant)

CA18229 - NON-CONVENTIONAL YEASTS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BIOPRODUCTS, COST Action 2019-2024 (MC Substitute) https://yeast4bio.eu/

CA20128- Promoting Innovation of ferMENTed fOods (PIMENTO), COST Action 2021-2025 (MC- Management Committee) https://fermentedfoods.eu/

CA22142 - Beneficial root-associated microorganisms for sustainable agriculture (ROOT- BENEFIT), COST Action 2023-2027 (MC- Management Committee) https://www.root-benefit.eu/

CA22158 - Exploiting Plant-Microbiomes Networks and Synthetic Communities to improve Crops Fitness (MiCropBiomes), COST Action 2023-2027. https://micropbiomes.eu/

Feeding the Future: Building Healthy Eating Habits in Preschoolers- FEAST (Fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food systems from primary production to consumption), Project ID: 101060536, HORIZON-CL6-2021-FARM2FORK-01 (01.07.2022-30.06.2027) (participant)

EIT Food Challenge Labs 2024 - Business Accelerator UKIM (BAU) & EIT FOOD. www.eitfood.eu (participant)