lab members
DR. MATJAŽ KUNTNER
National Institute of Biology
Principal Investigator: Phylogenetic Systematics and Biogeography
With an early education in Slovenia, a graduate education in the USA, and numerous expeditions led around the world's tropics, I am a global scientist and explorer, with a keen interest to advance our understanding of the state of biodiversity, including its conservation.
email: matjaz.kuntner<at>nib.si
phone: +386 59 23 27 09
DR. MATJAŽ GREGORIČ
Jovan Hadži Institute of Biology ZRC SAZU
Principal Investigator: Spider Web and Silk Research
I am mainly interested in the evolution and functional ecology of spider webs and material properties of silk, as well as how spider webs and silk can be used as eDNA sources. I am also interested in how sexual and natural selections shape behaviors.
email: matjazgr<at>zrc-sazu.si
phone: +386 2 6212 600
DR. EVA TURK
National Institute of Biology
Research Associate
I am interested in biogeography and evolutionary biology of animals.
email: eva.turk<at>nib.si
phone: +386 59 23 27 57
DR. KLEMEN ČANDEK
National Institute of Biology
Research Associate
I am interested in systematics and evolutionary biology of spiders.
email: klemen.candek<at>nib.si
phone: +386 59 23 27 33
DR. KUANG PING YU
National Institute of Biology
Research Associate
I am interested in biogeography, phylogeography, evolutionary biology, comparative biology, and urban ecology of spiders, especially fishing spiders (Dolomedes).
email: Kuang-Ping.Yu<at>nib.si
phone: +386 (0)59 232 701
TJAŠA LOKOVŠEK
Jovan Hadži Institute of Biology ZRC SAZU
Research Assistant
My interests primarily lie in spider natural history, and I am passionate in applying molecular approaches in solving research questions.
email: tjasa.lokovsek<at>zrc-sazu.si
phone: +386 1 4706 323
LUKA ŽARKOVIĆ
Jovan Hadži Institute of Biology ZRC SAZU
PhD Student (mentor: M. Gregorič)
I am interested in the evolutionary biology of spiders.
email: luka.zarkovic@zrc-sazu.si
phone: +38626212604
JUNHO CHAE
National Institute of Biology
PhD Student (mentor: M. Kuntner)
I am interested in the evolutionary biology of spiders.
email: @nib.si
phone: +386
ROK GOLOBINEK
Jovan Hadži Institute of Biology ZRC SAZU
PhD Student (mentor: M. Gregorič)
I am interested in animal behavior and evolution.
email: rok.golobinek<at>zrc-sazu.si
phone: +386 1 4706 325
NICK LEBEN
Faculty of natural sciences and mathematics UM
MSc Student (mentor: M. Gregorič)
I am interested in animal behavior and evolution.
email: nick.leben<at>student.um.si
phone: +386 2 6212 600
VID BOŠKIČ PODRZAVNIK
Faculty of natural sciences and mathematics UM
Student Volunteer (mentor: M. Gregorič)
I am interested in biodiversity, biogeography, and ecological interactions among species. I am also interested in the impact of natural selection on reproductive behaviour and spider web architecture.
email: vidpodrzavnik<at>gmail.com
phone: +386 69 679 681
ALUMNI
Dr. Mohammad Javad Malekhosseini, 2017-2022, PhD student at University of Ljubljana (biology of caves in Iran)
Dr. Eva Turk, 2017-2022, PhD student at University of Ljubljana (biogeography of Nephilidae)
Dr. Shakira Guaní Quiñones Lebrón, 2014-2021, PhD student at University of Ljubljana (body size evolution in extremely sexually dimorphic spiders)
Dr. Ren-Chung Cheng, 2010-2016, PhD student at University of Ljubljana (argiopine systematics and evolution of sexual dimorphism)
Dr. Xu Xin, 2011-2015, phd student at Hubei University (systematics and phylogeography of liphistiid spiders in China)
Nina Vidergar, 2012, research assistant
Dr. Ingi Agnarsson, 2007-2009, research associate (evolution of spider sociality)