Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
Faculty of Medicine
University of Ljubljana

Vrazov trg 2
SI 1000, Ljubljana
Slovenia

Tel (IBK): +386-1-543-7640
Tel (lab): +386-1-543-7652
E-mail: metka.lenassi@mf.uni-lj.si

Laboratory for Extracellular Vesicle Research
PI: Metka Lenassi

HOME  I  MEMBERS  I  RESEARCH  I  RESEARCH SUPPORT  I  TALKS & RECOGNITIONS  I  EQUIPMENT  I  LINKS  I 

MEMBERS

Marija Holcar, PhD, is a postdoctoral researcher at the Laboratory for Extracellular Vesicles Research, with a background in pediatric autoimmunity. Her current research focuses on investigating the influence of inter-individual differences in healthy subjects on their blood EV characteristics. She is actively involved in various studies exploring EVs as novel biomarkers for diseases, including their potential as urinary biomarkers for detecting transplanted kidney injury and rejection, as well as for predicting treatment response to immunotherapy in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma. Her previous work in the EV field involved researching EVs containing the HIV protein Nef. Marija is a member of the EV-TRACK task force at the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV). Furthermore, she helped to found the Network of Slovenian EV Researchers (SiN-EV), and is contributing to communication initiatives (website, news coordination) and event organization. In her role as a Teaching Assistant, she also actively participates in courses at both MSc and PhD levels at the Faculty of Medicine.

EDUCATION:

PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2017)
State Qualifying Examination for Clinical Laboratory Analysts (Ministry of Health, Slovenia, 2017)
BSc in Biochemistry (Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2010)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Postdoctoral Fellow, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia (2018 - present)
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia (2024 - present)
Teaching Assistant, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia (2018 - 2024)
Clinical Laboratory Analyst, University Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre, Slovenia (2017-2018)
Clinical Laboratory Analyst Intern, University Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre, Slovenia (2016-2017)
Visiting Graduate student, Burlo Garofolo Pediatric Institute, Italy, (2011 – 1 month)
PhD student, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia (2010 - 2016)

FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS

• Co-mentorship of Teo Mlinšek, recognised for his research work: Faculty of Medicine Prešeren Award (2021) and student research award Krkina nagrada (2022)
• Excellent in science award for the most prominent achievements of the past year, Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (2021)
• Prešeren Award of Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana (2010)

PUBLICATIONS

Author's publication in PubMed.