Department of Chemistry

Petnica Science Center

Petnica Science Center was founded in 1982 on an initiative of the group of young researchers, teachers and students unsatisfied with educational system and the way scientific youth was nurtured. Center is located in the vicinity of village Petnica, approximately 7km east of Valjevo and about 100km south-east of Belgrade. Location was chosen because of an extraordinary interconnection of natural and cultural characteristics which enabled organization and running of both research and practical education in variety of forms.

Petnica Science Center is independent and non-profit organization. Main goal of Petnica Science Center is supporting education and development of quality of education in schools via organization and innovation in methods of scientific education and development and organization of extra-curricular activities. Main accent is put on direct education of young students which show potential in the field of research.
Center organizes extra-curricular programs for both primary and high school students in variety of disciplines such as:
          -Chemistry, Hydro Chemistry, Molecular Biomedicine, Biology and Geology
          -Mathematics, Physics, Electronics, Astronomy and IT Technologies
          -Archeology, History, Linguistics, Psychology and Sociocultural anthropology
          -Technical Sciences, Social Sciences and Experimental Biology and Chemistry.

Petnica Science Center represents a place where high school students meet on a regular basis. Former attendees who are now either students or already working scientists always gladly stop by for a brief visit or to give a lecture at some of the seminars at which they received their first introduction to the methods of research.

Our Alumni list grows bigger in numbers every year and they work or study at some of the greatest companies and Universities all over the world. Our ex attendees are doing their PhD or Postdoc researches at some of the greatest Universities, such as Cambridge, MIT, UCSF, Paul Scherrer Institute, UCL, Princeton, University of Utrecht etc. Besides Universities our ex students also hold positions at great companies in the world of chemical and pharmaceutical industry amongst which are: Genentech, DOW, Akzo Nobel, BASF etc.

Building of Petnica 3.0 brought new improvements at Petnica Science Center in general as well as at the Department of Chemistry itself.
Chemical Laboratory is equipped with latest instruments. Furthermore, accent is being put on Health and Safety of all the employees, attendees and visitors.

New equipment, such as HPLC/MS and GC/MS opened the door to research possibilities in the variety of fields. The areas of research differ and include Pharmaceuticals Analytics, Forensics, cosmetology, plant physiology, fitochemistry. GC/MS has found appliances in food science, analysis of organic pollutants in the environment etc. FT-IR enabled examination of variety of polymer materials and organic compounds in general in terms of determination of structure whereas UV/VIS spectrometers offer possibility of performance of a range of routine analysis. Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) is an inevitable instrument in determination of metals in soil, plant samples etc.

Besides research in variety of fields, Department of Chemistry can offer services in routine analysis of various products as well as natural resources.

We also create seminars and trainings for specific companies, institutes, schools and universities. Based on specific needs of each institution we can create practical trainings in our laboratory as well as organization of conferences and theoretical seminars.

Nina Jevtić, Head of Department of Chemistry

Graduated as a Chemist from the Faculty of Chemistry - University of Belgrade from the elective profile for biochemistry and teaching. She has been working at Petnica Science Center since 1990. as Head of Department of Chemistry. She organized over 400 seminars for elementary and high school students and teachers.
Contact email: nina@petnica.rs

Ivan Borković Head of Department of Chemistry

PhD candidate at the Faculty of Chemistry - University of Belgrade with MSc in Chemistry. Former Chemistry program participant.
Projects completed at Petnica Science Center:
1. Examination of palladium catalyzed cross coupling reactions
2. Synthesis of copper(I) complexes and their application in catalytic oxidation of cyclohexane with hydrogen peroxide
Areas of interest: organic synthesis.
Contact email: ivan.borkovic9@gmail.com

Ljubica Perić, Head of Chemistry Laboratory

Came to Petnica Science Center back in 1984 for the first time as a participant of the first Chemistry program. Ljubica is a graduated technology engineer. She has been working at Petnica Science Center since 1991 as a Head of the Chemistry Laboratory.
Contact email: buba@petnica.rs

Snežana Savić, Laboratory Technician

Snezana was born in Valjevo. She graduated from Gymnasium in Valjevo and works at Petnica Science Center as Laboratory Technician since 1988.
Contact email: snezana.savic@petnica.rs

Igor Topalović Student associate

PhD candidate in Chemistry at Friedrich-Schiller University in Jena, Germany, with MSc in Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry - University of Belgrade. Former Chemistry program participant.
Projects completed at Petnica Science Center:
1. Biosorption of Acid Orange 7 Dye by Sessile Oak (Quercus Petraea L.) Biomass
2. New Barbituric Acid Disazo Dyes: Synthesis and Solvatochromism
3. Synthesis of 5,6,7-Trimethoxy-1H-indole and Investigation of Electrochromic Properties of its Copolymers with Carbazole
Areas of interest: bioanalytical chemistry, physico-chemical characterization of potentially biologically active compounds, organic synthesis.
Contact email: itopalovic22@gmail.com

Pavle Križan Student associate

Msc in Chemistry and BSc in Biochemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry - University of Belgrade. Former Biomedicine program participant.
Projects completed at Petnica Science Center:
1. Formation of food protein amyloid fibrils during in vitro gastric digestion
Areas of interest: non-native protein folding, supramolecular chemistry, bioorganic chemistry.
Contact email: itopalovic22@gmail.com

Filip Koldžić Student associate

PhD candidate at EPFL in Lausanne, Switzerland, with BSc in Chemical Engineering - Polymer Engineering at the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy - University of Belgrade. Former Chemistry program participant.
Projects completed at Petnica Science Center:
1. Synthesis and Modification of Zeta Potential of TiO₂ Nanoparticles and Determination of their Influence on Photocatalytic Degradation of Cationic and Anionic Dyes
2. Synthesis of hydrogels based on 2-hydoxyethyl methacrylate molecularly imprinted for chloramphenicol and their potential application in making therapeutic soft contact lenses
3. Novel imidazole-based dyes: Synthesis and investigation of various types of chromism
Areas of interest: controlled release, hydrogels, smart polymeric materials, nanoparticles, photocatalysis, wastewaters treatment, chemical engineering.
Contact email: koldzic.filip@gmail.com

Dušan Vujošević Student associate

Master student at Karlsruhe Institite of Technology in Karlsruhe, Germany, with BSc in Electrochemical Engineering at the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy - University of Belgrade). Former Chemistry program participant.
Projects completed at Petnica Science Center:
1. Investigating the efficiency of molecularly imprinted polymers in solid-phase extraction of caffeic acid from oregano and cinnamon
2. Synthesis of hydrogels based on 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylat, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and acrylic acid copolymers and celecoxibe release investigation
Areas of interest: electrochemistry, chemical engineering.
Contact email: dusanmnv@gmail.com

Danilo Erdeljan Student associate

Physical Chemistry student at the Faculty of Physical Chemistry - University of Belgrade. Former Chemistry, Mathematics and Technical Sciences programs participant.
Projects completed at Petnica Science Center:
1. Examination of the activational properties of chosen organic acids on the Vanadium(V) catalysis of the oxidation of hromotropic acid by potassium-bromate
Areas of interest: theoretical chemistry, spectroscopy, nanomaterials.
Contact email: danilo.erdeljan@gmail.com

Nataša Negru Student associate

Master student at University of Leipzig, Germany, with BSc in Chemistry at the Faculty of Sciences - University of Novi Sad. Former Chemistry program participant.
Projects completed at Petnica Science Center:
1. Synthesis of ligands derived by condensation of quinuclidone with S-methylthiosemicarbazide, thiosemicarbazide and semicarbazide and investigation of their coordinative abilities and biological activities
2. MIL-101(Fe) as a photocatalyst for degradation of thiamethoxam in aqueous media
Areas of interest: spectroscopic and other methods of structural instrumental analysis.
Contact email: natasanegru01@gmail.com

Branka Krnjaja Student associate

Master student with BSc in Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry - University of Belgrade. Former Chemistry program participant.
Areas of interest: organic synthesis, photochemistry, methodology.
Contact email: branka.krnjaja3@gmail.com

Jovana Jevtić Student associate

Chemistry student at the Faculty of Chemistry - University of Belgrade. Former Chemistry program participant.
Projects completed at Petnica Science Center:
1. Solvent-controlled synthesis of citric acid Carbon Quantum Dots. Solvatochromism and visualisation of latent fingerprints
2. Synthesis of new BODIPY compounds based on 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzaldehyde
Areas of interest: nanochemistry, carbon quantum dots, organic dyes synthesis, complex compounds, hemosensors, MOFs.
Contact email: jevticcjovana@gmail.com

Dimitrije Gligorovski Student associate

Chemistry student at the Faculty of Chemistry - University of Belgrade. Former Chemistry program participant.
Projects completed at Petnica Science Center:
1. Sinteza nanočestica gvožđa na bazi spinela kao katalizatora za Biginelli-jevu reakciju
2. Sinteza metalnih kompleksa ftalocijanina na bazi ftalonitrilovih azo derivata i ispitivanje njihovih solvatohromnih svojstava
Areas of interest: organic synthesis, coordination chemistry, metal-organic frameworks.
Contact email: gligorovski.dimitrije@gmail.com

Aleksa Vulićević Student associate

Chemistry student at the Faculty of Chemistry - University of Belgrade. Former Chemistry program participant.
Projects completed at Petnica Science Center:
1. Modification of Glassy Carbon Electrode with Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Ibuprofen
2. Construction of Biosensor for Caffeic Acid as the Substrate and Polyphenol Oxidase as Enzyme
3. Application of Heck Coupling Reaction in Synthesis of Stilbene and Its Derivatives
4. Synthesis of Gallic and Caffeic Acid Esters and Determination of Their Inhibitory Effects Towards α-Amylase
Areas of interest: bioanalytical chemistry, enzyme inhibition, controlled release.
Contact email: vulicevic.aleksa@gmail.com

Nikola Demijanenko Student associate

Chemistry student at the Faculty of Chemistry - University of Belgrade. Former Chemistry and Physics programs participant.
Projects completed at Petnica Science Center:
1. Modification of zeolites with nickel and cobalt and their application in catalysis of nitration of aromatic compounds
2. Synthesis of BODIPY derivatives and their application in visualization of fingerprints and making luminescent solar concentrators
Areas of interest:
Contact email: nikolademi1@gmail.com

Selena Gvozdenović Student associate

Biochemistry student at the Faculty of Chemistry - University of Belgrade. Former Chemistry and Experimental Biology and Chemistry programs participant.
Projects completed at Petnica Science Center:
1. Synthesis of Gallic and Caffeic Acid Esters and Determination of Their Inhibitory Effects Towards α-Amylase
Areas of interest: protein biochemistry, amyloid fibrils, drug design.
Contact email: selena.gvoz@gmail.com

Nina Gavrilović Student associate

Physical Chemistry student at the Faculty of Physical Chemistry - University of Belgrade. Former Chemistry program participant.
Projects completed at Petnica Science Center:
1. Elektrohemijska degradacija tekstilne boje Acid Orange 7 modifikovanom Ti/TiO₂/SnO₂-Sb-Cu elektrodom
2. Sinteza i primena kompleksa Cu(II) i Šifove baze na bazi 4-ferocinilanilina kao elektrodnog materijala za elektrohemijske kondenzatore sa vodenim elektrolitom
Areas of interest: electrochemistry, fuel cells, quantum chemistry, astrochemistry.
Contact email: nina@beograd.com

Jana Velimirović Student associate

Biochemistry student at the Faculty of Chemistry - University of Belgrade. Former Chemistry program participant.
Projects completed at Petnica Science Center:
1. Synthesis of doxycycline complexes and the examination of their antibacterial activity
2. Immobilization of α-amylase on magnetic cobalt nanoparticles coated with polyaniline
Areas of interest: biochemistry, enzyme immobilization, medical biochemistry, genetics, recombinnant proteins.
Contact email: janavelimirovic2003@gmail.com

Vukašin Lalović Student associate

Chemical Engineering student at the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy - University of Belgrade. Former Chemistry program participant.
Projects completed at Petnica Science Center:
1. Microcomposite based on magnetite modified with silicon-dioxide and titan-dioxide: Synthesis and investigation of photocatalytic activity
2. Synthesis of Ni(0)-poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid) and investigation of its catalytic effect on 4-nitroaniline reduction
Areas of interest: nanoparticles, photocatlysis, polymers, magnetic nanoparticles, purification of wastewaters.
email: lalovicv222@gmail.com

Nađa Nikolić Student associate

Biochemistry student at the Faculty of Chemistry - University of Belgrade. Former Chemistry and Experimental Biology and Chemistry program participant.
Projects completed at Petnica Science Center:
1. Electrochemical Degradation of the Dye Acid Orange 7
Areas of interest: proteins, DNA, instrumental techniques.
Contact email: nikolicndj@gmail.com

Anđela Stojičić Student associate

Medicine student at the Faculty of Medicine - University of Belgrade. Former Chemistry program participant.
Projects completed at Petnica Science Center:
1. Voltametric determination of L-Dopa using carbon paste electrode modified with gold nanoparticles and reduced graphene-oxide
2. Influence of newly synthesized curcumine deriatives on viabilty of hepatocellular carcinoma Huh7 cell culture
3. Synthesis of pyrazoline derivatives of halcones and investigation of their influence on non-small cell lung cancer cells
Areas of interest: medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, working with cell cultures and methodes of molecular biology.
Contact email: andjelastojicic004@gmail.com

Anđelija Jovanović Student associate

Chemical Engineering student at the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy - University of Belgrade. Former Chemistry program participant.
Projects completed at Petnica Science Center:
1. Photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B using ZnO/BiVO₄ nanocomposite
2. Voltammetric detection of chloramphenicol using glassy carbon electrode modified with copper tungstate nanoparticles and molecularly imprinted polypyrrole
3. Encapsulation of ionic liquid [NMP]CH₃SO₃ into metal-organic framework NH₂-MIL-101(Fe) and its catalytic activity in the Pechmann reaction
Areas of interest: electroanalytical chemistry, photocatalysis, nanoparticles.
Contact email: ajvlasotince@gmail.com

Marija Banković Student associate

Pharmacy student at the Faculty of Medicine - University of Novi Sad. Former Chemistry program participant.
Projects completed at Petnica Science Center:
1. Double-doped electrode Fe-N-TiO₂/Ti as a photoelectrocatalyst for degradation of Acid Green 25 dye
2. Synthesis of novel cinnamic acid derivatives and in silico investigation of their influence on trypsin activity
3. Synthesis of potential PI3K enzyme inhibitors and in silico investigation of their activity
Areas of interest: biochemistry, organic chemistry.
Contact email: bankovicmarija1@gmail.com

Iva Matijević Student associate

Biochemistry student at the Faculty of Chemistry - University of Belgrade. Former Chemistry program participant.
Projects completed at Petnica Science Center:
1. Synthesis of complexes with semicarbazones and investigation of their antibacterial effect on E. coli
2. Voltammetric sensor for Hg(II) ions in water from a carbon paste electrode modified with ion-labeled polymers
Areas of interest: bioanalytical chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology and physiology and working with cell cultures.
Contact email: iva.matijevic.04@gmail.com

Seminars

Petnica's Schools

With reconstruction of infrastructure of Petcnia Science Center and installment of newest equipment we are now capable of organizing Seminars with an aim of not only to make it possible to students from various fields of experteese to get to know the theorethical basics of modern analytical methods, but to enable them to work on those instruments, get to know various analytical procedurees in the field of HPLC/MS and GC/MS. Within the obligatory subjects during the studies, majority of students get to know only theoretical aspects of this complex area and this shall be one of the unique opportunities for learning practical things under guidance of experts and lecturers from domestic and foregin universities. Schools are designed as a five day Seminar at which one third of the time would be dedicated to theoretical aspects and two thirds to practical work in the lab. Multidisciplinary approach of lecturers and participants coming from different fields shall create a specific atmosphere for exchange of ideas and contacts.
School of Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry Basic Level beginns on 2nd of and ends on 7th of October 2016.
School costs are 250 EUR per participant. Lectures, practical experiments and materials as well as accomodation with three meals per day and transportation Valjevo – Petnica – Valjevo are included in price.
There is a limited amount of financial assistance possible and the amount cannot be higher than 50 EUR per participant.
Through the program, participants shall be introduced to basics in chromatography, modern chromatography techniques, ion sources and analyzers in mass spectrometry, tandem mass spectrometry etc. Practical work incorporates complete analisys of real sample from sample preparation, work on the instrument, to data analisys. Application of these techniques shall be demonstrated in variety of fields such as forensics, pharmacy, fitochemistry etc. Depending on the profiles of the attendants, groups will be organised according to candidates interests.
After the end of the program, each participant will receive a Certificate of Attendance.
Full details can be found here.
For more information please write to hem@petnica.rs.

Seminars for high school students

Yearly cycle of seminars of the Department of Chemistry

Main goal of basic program of seminars designed for high school students is encouragement of students in the field of independent work as well as development of research-focused way of reasoning including introduction to basics in research methodology. Four types of seminars throughout the course of a school year are organized in order to enable students to independently perform their own research projects. Main goal of students research projects is not achievement of significant results but development of ability to understand and manage their way down the complex path from birth of the idea, through its theoretical grounding, experimental work and in the end interpretation of results and its presentation in various forms (posters, written reports, oral presentations etc.). In brief, fully understanding research methodology.

WINTER seminars: 7 days within February - March
Attendees are obtaining theoretical knowledge in various fields of chemistry such as inorganic, organic, analytical, biochemistry in form of lectures amongst which are: Basic types of reactions in organic chemistry, Forensics Chemistry, Inorganic Compounds, Supramolecular chemistry and nanochemistry etc. Lectures are given by acclaimed university professors and experts in the field. Each seminar is planned according to the level of knowledge a group possesses and based on the applications we received. It is important to point out that throughout first yearly cycle attendees do not perform their own research projects but receive all the theoretical experience necessary for the development of a research topic. Yearly cycles are currently being organized only in Serbian as an official language with occasional exceptions made for single lectures from time to time. Throughout these seven days an attendee works on a small theoretical topic assigned by associates and lecturers, which is to be presented in written and oral form at the end of the seminar in front of other attendees.
Second year attendees develop their theoretical knowledge further and prepare presentations on their own research topics that are to be defended in front of associates and lecturers during the seminar. Senior attendees are to enclose their research proposal to the standard application form.
SPRING seminars: 4 days within April – May
This seminar is organized exclusively for senior attendees that have already passed the first yearly cycle and are in the process of preparation and development of their independent research project. Attendees are developing their theoretical knowledge in depth and are preparing their research projects in detail by fully defining their practical part of research. During the seminar, the topics are once again to be defended at a discussion in front of associates, lecturers and other colleagues.
SUMMER seminars: 10 – 15 days within June – August
Summer seminars are divided in two groups: Summer courses and Summer Camps.
Summer courses are organized for junior attendees and are usually about ten days long. During these ten days attendees spend as much time in the laboratory as possible and only receive basic lectures as foundation for their practical work in the variety of qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis. They learn and perform sample preparation, analysis and results interpretation by themselves with the help of students associates. Weather it be GC/MS or titration, they learn how to do it practically on their own, from the beginning to an end of the experiment. It is of extreme importance for attendees to go through this practical stage as it increases their knowledge of the techniques that they are going to be able to use within their own research projects next year as well as in terms of helping them to learn how to organize their time from the practical point of view.
Summer Camps are organized for senior attendees and are usually about two weeks long. This is the period during which they perform practical part of their own research projects together with all the problems that might occur along the way. During these, as well as during all other seminars, Student Associates are always present in order to help when it comes to solving theoretical or practical problems Once again, it has to be underlined, that the main goal is the experience and learning along the path and not achieving perfect results. At the end of practical work, the attendees write a report with results and discussion according to strictly defined scientific report form. They present their results at the end of this seminar. After the seminar, attendees have to write a research paper that has a unified form as the best papers from all the seminars are to be presented at annual Petnica Conference “A step into science” and published in Petnicke Sveske, yearly collection of research papers.
AUTUMN seminars: 4 – 5 days within October – November
Seminars are of theoretical character. Both senior and junior attendees listen to various lectures selected according to their interest and level of knowledge and participate in various workshops amongst which are also statistical and general data processing workshops and presentations on proper ways of presenting their research papers. Senior attendees also make additional work on their research papers depending on requirements of the team that was checking their written work usually consisting of student associates and experts in the field. Junior attendees are mainly focused on new ideas and their development and the lectures are focused on the areas from which they could get new ideas. Since they have been working hard throughout the course of the year, they usually come to this seminar with more than one idea. Our Student and Senior associates as well as lecturers and experts listen to ideas and try to guide further development in the right direction. At the end of this seminar, both juniors and seniors only task is to submit an application for the next cycle including a research proposal. They are, from this point onwards, being invited exclusively based on their own ideas presented within the proposal.

Professional development seminars for teachers

Important segment of work within the Department of Chemistry are Professional development seminars for high and primary school teachers in Serbia.
Recognizing the importance of constant professional development of teachers Department of Chemistry has created a concept of seminars which will help teachers being up to date with current scientific reaches as well as getting necessary help for improvement in the field of realization of teaching.
First seminar was organized in 1998 under the name Problems and experimental aspects of teaching chemistry. During the seminars, teachers have the possibility of hearing lectures from variety of areas of chemistry and a part of seminar is also dedicated to the development in methodology of teaching chemistry, application of modern technologies in teaching etc. The structure of seminars is created according to teachers’ interests and needs.
From 2004, seminars are being realized in cooperation with the Development and promotion of education Office in Belgrade, Center for professional development of employees in education. Seminars for chemistry teachers, during last ten years, are being accredited under following names:
          - Problem and experimental teaching in chemistry.
          - Methodological modernization and recognition of improvements in natural science teaching
          - Contemporary trends and methodology within different subjects

Some of realized topics within the seminar are: Eco-chemistry, Environmental Geochemistry, Newest achievements in chemistry and chemical technology, Oxidative stress, Chemical elements in earth and on Earth, Attraction and repulsion as essence of matter, Allergens in food, Didactical potential in teaching chemistry, Development of spontaneous terms into chemical term, Rationality and organization of chemistry as a teaching subject, Educational workshops etc.
All the content was realized with active participation of teachers through individual and group work, workshops and discussions, as well as through work within Petnica library and especially designed and equipped Resource Center for teachers.
More than 450 teachers attended Professional development seminars and majority of them have participated on more than one seminar.
These seminars are currently running in Serbian as an official language.

Contact

Address of Petnica Science Center

Manastirska 49
Valjevo, 14104, Serbia

+381-14-251-180 hem@petnica.rs Links to social networks:

Our location on Google Maps

Please click here for the location on the map

Year	Programs	Students	List of topics	Research papers
2024	12	101	Preview	In preparation
2023	12	101	Preview	In preparation
2022	12	101	Preview	In preparation
2021	12	101	Preview	In preparation
2020	12	101	Preview	In preparation
2019	12	101	Preview	Preview
2018	12	101	Preview	Preview
2017	12	101	Preview	Preview
2016	12	101	Preview	Preview
2015	12	101	Preview	Preview
2014	12	101	Preview	Preview
2013	10	93	Preview	Preview
2012	9	91	Preview	Preview
2011	8	89	Preview	Preview
2010	11	97	Preview	Preview
2009	10	77	Preview	Preview
2008	10	86	Preview	Preview
2007	10	80	Preview	Preview
2006	10	82	Preview	Preview
2005	10	79	Preview	Preview
2004	10	78	Preview	Preview
2003	10	80	Preview	Preview
2002	11	97	Preview	Preview
2001	10	87	Preview	Preview
2000	10	81	Preview	Preview

Welcome

The place where dreams of chemistry become reality!

40 years of experience in teaching Chemistry For high school students, students and teachers.

Petnica Science Center