Alisa Becin | Data Science | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Alisa Becin | Data Science | Best Researcher Award

Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad | Serbia

Mrs. Alisa P. Bećin is a committed Research Assistant at the University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences in Serbia. With an academic foundation in molecular biology and a specialized focus on molecular physiology, she is actively engaged in advanced biomedical research, particularly in the area of male reproductive endocrinology. Her work bridges the domains of chronobiology, mitochondrial dynamics, and circadian rhythm regulation, contributing to the understanding of male fertility and reproductive health at the molecular and cellular levels. Alisa’s dedication to experimental rigor and interdisciplinary integration has made her a rising researcher in the European scientific community. She is affiliated with multiple scientific laboratories including the Laboratory for Reproductive Endocrinology and Signaling (LaRES) and the Laboratory for Chronobiology and Aging (ChronAge), where she contributes to both academic research and student mentoring.

Professional Profile

SCOPUS

ORCID

Education

Alisa holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Biology, specializing in Molecular Biology from the Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad. Her consistent academic progression laid the groundwork for her ongoing doctoral studies, where she is investigating the circadian regulation of mitochondrial function in Leydig cells and spermatozoa. Her PhD research is embedded within a broader molecular physiology program, focused on decoding the influence of biological clocks on cellular energetics and reproductive functions.

Experience

Since 2019, Alisa has been a vital part of the scientific research team at the Faculty of Sciences, initially as a Junior Researcher and subsequently as a Research Assistant. In her role, she actively participates in laboratory-based investigations, coordinates experimental protocols, and supervises student activities. Her teaching involvement spans several critical subjects in physiology and endocrinology, including Chronobiology, Neuroendocrinology, Animal Physiology, and Endocrinology. Alisa’s dual role in research and academia reflects her commitment to both advancing scientific knowledge and nurturing future scholars. Through collaborations with senior researchers and project leaders, she contributes to experimental design, data analysis, and scholarly publications in high-impact journals.

Research Interest

Alisa’s research interests are deeply rooted in the exploration of circadian biology, particularly how internal biological clocks govern male reproductive physiology. Her work investigates molecular clocks within the testes, mitochondrial dynamics in Leydig cells, and their role in steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis. She is especially focused on the interplay between the central clock (suprachiasmatic nucleus) and peripheral clocks, exploring how lifestyle-induced desynchronization affects fertility outcomes. By examining hormonal signaling pathways and mitochondrial bioenergetics, her studies seek to inform chronotherapeutic interventions and address the rising concern of idiopathic infertility in young adult populations. Her scientific approach integrates endocrinology, cell signaling, and chronobiology, establishing her as a multidisciplinary researcher with translational potential.

Research and Publications

Alisa has contributed significantly to peer-reviewed scientific literature, with several publications in indexed journals such as Journal of Comparative Physiology B, BioFactors, European Journal of Cell Biology, Life, and Frontiers in Endocrinology. Her recent works include groundbreaking insights into how constant light and circadian desynchrony disrupt the endocrine and mitochondrial functions of Leydig cells and spermatozoa. These studies advance the understanding of environmental impacts on reproductive health and are influential in the fields of reproductive biology and endocrinology. Her citation index reflects a growing recognition of her work, with 31 citations and an h-index of 3, as recorded in Scopus.

Research Projects

Alisa has been actively involved in both national and provincial research projects. Notably, she is part of an ongoing project funded by the Provincial Secretariat for Higher Education and Scientific Research, which investigates how lifestyle factors influence male fertility. She also contributed to a long-term project supported by the Serbian Ministry of Science, focusing on molecular mechanisms and signal transduction pathways in Leydig cells under homeostatic stress. Her role in these projects includes experimental planning, molecular assays, and interdisciplinary collaboration with endocrinologists and molecular biologists.

Awards and Memberships

Her professional excellence is further recognized through her membership in respected scientific bodies such as the Biochemical Society of Serbia, the Serbian Society for Molecular Biology (MolBioS), and the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms (SRBR). These affiliations underscore her active engagement with the international scientific community and her contribution to ongoing dialogues in reproductive and chronobiological research. She has completed professional certifications, including one in R Programming for Data Analytics in Bioinformatics, reflecting her capability in data-driven biological research and bioinformatics.

Publications

Adaptation under constant light or dark: a challenge to the pineal

Authors: Alisa P. Bećin, Milica Trkulja, Aleksandra Bradasevic, Ivana Jokanovic, Dijana Z. Travicic, Marija L. J. Medar, Silvana A. Andric, Tatjana S. Kostic
Journal: Journal of Comparative Physiology B
Year: 2025

REVERBA couples the circadian clock to Leydig cell steroidogenesis

Authors: Aleksandar Z. Baburski, Alisa P. Bećin, Dijana Z. Travicic, Marija L. J. Medar, Silvana A. Andric, Tatjana S. Kostic
Journal: BioFactors
Year: 2024

Circadian desynchrony disturbs the function of rat spermatozoa

Authors: Dijana Z. Travicic, Maja V. Pavlovic, Marija L. J. Medar, Alisa Bećin, Mia Cetnik, Dusan Lalosevic, Silvana A. Andric, Tatjana S. Kostic
Journal: European Journal of Cell Biology
Year: 2023

Dependence of Leydig cell’s mitochondrial physiology on luteinizing hormone signaling

Authors: Marija L. J. Medar, Danilo Z. Marinkovic, Zorana Kojic, Alisa P. Bećin, Ivana M. Starovlah, Tatjana Kravic-Stevovic, Silvana A. Andric, Tatjana S. Kostic
Journal: Life
Year: 2021

Growing up under constant light: a challenge to the endocrine function of the Leydig cells

Authors: Danilo Z. Marinkovic, Marija L. J. Medar, Alisa P. Bećin, Silvana A. Andric, Tatjana S. Kostic
Journal: Frontiers in Endocrinology
Year: 2021

Hermona Soreq – molecular neuroscience – Outstanding Scientist Award

Early Academic Pursuits

Prof. Hermona Soreq's academic journey began with a solid foundation in biochemistry and microbiology at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in 1967. She further pursued her Master’s degree at Tel Aviv University, focusing on biochemistry and chemistry teaching, which she completed in 1970. Her academic rigor and passion for molecular studies led her to The Weizmann Institute of Science, where she obtained her PhD in Biochemistry in 1976. Soreq's early career was marked by a prestigious Fogarty Fellowship at Rockefeller University, allowing her to delve into molecular cell biology from 1977 to 1979.

Professional Endeavors

Prof. Hermona Soreq's professional career is distinguished by her long-term association with The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She joined the faculty in 1986 as the Slesinger Chair of Molecular Neuroscience, a position she has held with distinction. Her roles have included serving as the elected Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences from 2005 to 2008, and she is a founding member of the Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences (ELSC). Additionally, Soreq has held prominent positions at the Weizmann Institute and Arizona State University’s Bio-Design Institute, reflecting her international influence and collaborative approach to scientific research.

Contributions and Research Focus

Prof. Hermona Soreq’s research primarily focuses on the complex role of non-coding RNA controllers, particularly microRNAs (miRs) and transfer RNA fragments (tRFs), in brain-to-body functioning. Her groundbreaking work on acetylcholine-related pathways has combined advanced computational neuroscience with cutting-edge technologies such as sequencing, transgenic engineering, and microscopy. This multidisciplinary approach has enabled significant discoveries, including the identification of "CholinomiR" silencers that regulate anxiety, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Her research has also highlighted the impact of these non-coding RNAs on conditions like stroke, epilepsy, and metabolic disorders.

Accolades and Recognition

Prof. Hermona Soreq's contributions to molecular neuroscience have earned her numerous accolades and honors. She has received Honorary PhDs from prestigious institutions including the University of Stockholm, Ben-Gurion University, and Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg. Other notable awards include the Teva Founders’ Award, the Lise Meitner Alexander von Humboldt Award, and the Rappaport Prize for Biomedical Research. In 2022, she was awarded the Israeli Prime Minister’s EMET prize in Neuroscience, recognizing her exceptional contributions to the field. Soreq has also been a keynote speaker at major international conferences, further solidifying her status as a leading voice in neuroscience.

Impact and Influence

Throughout her career, Hermona Soreq has had a profound impact on the scientific community, both through her research and her mentorship. She has trained 26 faculty members who have gone on to contribute to various universities worldwide, including institutions in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, the Galilee, Beer Sheva, and internationally in Berkeley, Maryland, Halifax, Ann Arbor, Paris, Tours, Jena, and London. Her research on the cholinergic system’s involvement in stress, neurodegeneration, and metabolic regulation has opened new avenues for understanding and potentially treating these conditions.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Prof. Hermona Soreq’s legacy is characterized by her innovative approach to neuroscience, integrating computational and experimental methods to explore the regulatory roles of non-coding RNAs. Her work has not only advanced scientific knowledge but also has significant implications for therapeutic strategies in treating neurodegenerative and stress-related diseases. As she continues her research, Soreq is poised to make further groundbreaking discoveries that will influence the field for years to come. Her ongoing involvement in academic and scientific advisory boards, including those at Neuro-Cure Center Berlin and the ImmunoSensation Center Bonn, ensures that her expertise will continue to guide and inspire future generations of neuroscientists.

Citations

A total of 34743 citations for his publications, demonstrating the impact and recognition of her research within the academic community.