We are immensely proud to announce that a distinguished member of our research team (HRZZ-IP-2022-10-9643), Prof. Dr. Walter Leal, is the recipient of a top international honor the 2026 Applied Chemical Ecology Award, presented by the International Society of Chemical Ecology (ISCE).

This prestigious award recognizes world-leading scientists for outstanding career achievements and significant contributions to the development of innovative semiochemical-based technologies for practical application in chemical ecology.

Professor Leal, a distinguished professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and former chair of the Department of Entomology at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), is an elected member of both the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). He is internationally recognized for his pioneering research on insect chemical communication, including the identification of pheromones and the mechanisms by which pests detect and respond to odors. His work has led to 23 patents and numerous practical applications that directly protect agricultural crops and reduce losses in food production.

His wealth of experience, innovative approach, and world-class scientific expertise add immense value to our project team’s research endeavors.

We extend our warmest congratulations to Professor Leal on this exceptional and thoroughly deserved recognition!

You can read more about Prof. Dr. Walter Leal and the award here.

Walter Leal: From ‘Rough Childhood’ to Internationally Recognized Scientist

We are extremely proud and pleased to announce that a distinguished member of our project team (IP-2022-10-9643), Dr. Frank Zalom, is the recipient of the prestigious CA&ES Exceptional Emeriti Award, presented by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CA&ES) at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis).

This award is presented to retired faculty members (emeriti) who continue to make an extraordinary impact in the scientific community through their ongoing work, research, and professional contributions, while advancing the university’s reputation and mission.

Dr. Zalom is a globally recognized expert and pioneer in the field of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and entomology. Throughout his long and distinguished career, he has led key research focused on developing sustainable, economically viable, and environmentally friendly crop protection methods.

His rich experience, outstanding expertise, and invaluable contributions to the development of sustainable agricultural practices are an exceptional added value to our project. We look forward to our continued collaboration and shared achievements!

We congratulate Dr. Zalom on this exceptional and well-deserved recognition!

You can read more about Dr. Frank Zalom here:

CA&ES Exceptional Emeriti Award

Frank Zalom, Entomologist Extraordinaire

We are pleased to announce that our latest research paper titled:

“Electrophysiological, behavioral, and field responses of olive fruit fly to modified Brewer’s spent yeast formulations”

has been published in the prestigious Journal of Economic Entomology, as a collaborative effort between researchers from the Institute for Adriatic Crops and Karst Reclamation (Split, Croatia) and the University of California, Davis (UC Davis).

This study explores the valorization of recycled Brewer’s spent yeast (BSY) from breweries as a sustainable, protein-based attractant for the olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae), the primary economic pest of olives in the Mediterranean basin.

Read the full Open Access publication here: 🔗 https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toag255

Dr. Elda Vitanović, Project Leader of BeerBy-4-OliveFly (HRZZ-IP-2022-10-9643), participated in the 32nd International Horticultural Congress (IHC2026), held from August 23 to 28, 2026, in Kyoto, Japan.

During the congress, she presented the latest research findings and results from the mentioned project within Symposium S15 (Plant Protection for Sustainable Horticulture).

This international gathering provided an excellent platform to share our scientific achievements, exchange knowledge with global experts, and highlight the project’s contribution to sustainable olive pest management.

As part of the continuous professional and scientific development of the BeerBy-4-OliveFly (IP-2022-10-9643) project research team, assistant Luka Čotić (DOK-NPOO-2023-10-7422) and senior assistant Dr. Qaiser Javed attended an international professional seminar organized by Restek Corporation.

The professional seminar, titled “Basics. Principles of GC” took place on Thursday, July 23, 2026, in collaboration with AnAs d.o.o. The lecture was delivered by distinguished international gas chromatography expert Mr. Jaap de Zeeuw (GC Specialist, Restek).

During the seminar, key fundamental topics in gas chromatography (GC) were covered:

• Fundamental Separation Principles in GC – Mechanisms of analyte interaction with stationary and mobile phases, as well as the effects of temperature and flow rate on chromatographic resolution.
• Optimization of Analysis Parameters – Key factors for achieving high reproducibility and sensitivity in quantitative and qualitative analysis.
• Good Laboratory Practices and Maintenance – Guidelines for proper sample preparation, column selection, and preventing common pitfalls in chromatographic workflows.

Upon successful completion of the seminar, assistant Luka Čotić and senior assistant Dr. Qaiser Javed were awarded official Certificates of Completion.

This continuous training and reinforcement of core gas chromatography principles further ensures high accuracy and reliability during analytical measurements conducted within the project research.

Congratulations to Luka and Qaiser on completing the training and earning their certificates!

Karmen Radovani, MSc, is employed as a Research Assistant on a temporary replacement appointment at the Institute for Adriatic Crops and Karst Reclamation in the Department of Applied Sciences. She graduated in September 2023 from the Master’s program in Microbial Biotechnology in Agriculture at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb. After completing her studies, she worked as a laboratory technician and then as a substitute Professional Associate within the scientific research system. She has actively participated in research projects, including planning and establishing experimental trials, conducting greenhouse activities, and collecting and processing samples in the Soil and Plant Nutrition Laboratory. Her research interests include the physiological and biochemical responses of plants to biotic and abiotic stress factors, plant and soil analyses, and the application of modern approaches in agronomy and plant protection.

Welcome Karmen!

As part of the continuous professional and scientific development of the BeerBy-4-OliveFly (IP-2022-10-9643) project research team, assistant Luka Čotić (DOK-NPOO-2023-10-7422) attended an international professional webinar hosted by Restek Corporation, a leading global manufacturer of analytical and chromatography equipment.

The professional seminar, titled “Choosing a Different Carrier Gas in GC and Why are Liners Deactivated,” took place on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. The session was delivered by renowned international gas chromatography expert Mr. Jaap de Zeeuw (GC Specialist, Restek).

During the webinar, key topics in gas chromatography (GC) were covered in depth:

• Selection and Optimization of Carrier Gases in GC – Benefits and challenges of transitioning from helium to alternative gases (hydrogen or nitrogen), along with their impact on analysis speed, resolution, and method sensitivity.
• Deactivation and Chemistry of GC Liners – How liner surface chemistry reduces the adsorption of active analytes and improves the reliability and repeatability of chromatographic results.
• Practical Guidance and Troubleshooting – Effective strategies for daily analytical work and troubleshooting on GC systems.

Following the successful completion of the seminar, assistant Luka Čotić was awarded an official Certificate of Completion.

The knowledge and practical insights gained directly contribute to further enhancing the quality and precision of the analytical methods and laboratory research conducted within the BeerBy-4-OliveFly project.

Congratulations to Luka on completing the training and earning his certificate!

We are proud to announce that on May 9, 2026. the Agroklub portal has published an extensive interview with our distinguished scientist and project leader, Dr. Elda Vitanović.

In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Vitanović reflects on her rich professional journey and career development, with a special emphasis on the current Croatian Science Foundation project she successfully leads: “Novel approach to olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae, Rossi) monitoring and/or control using volatile compounds produced by brewing by-product – BeerBy-4-OliveFly“ (IP-2022-10-9643).

Through the interview, you can learn more about the project’s objectives, its significance for the wider community, and the challenges she faces as the head of a research team.

A sustainable solution for the olive fruit fly: Dr. Elda Vitanović, on how science protects the harvest

On Monday, May 4, 2026, the second meeting of the HRZZ project IP-2022-10-9643, titled “Novel approach to olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae, Rossi) monitoring and/or control using volatile compounds produced by brewing by-product – BeerBy-4-OliveFly,” was held at the Institute for Adriatic Crops in Split. The meeting was attended by Dr. Frank Zalom from the University of California, Davis (USA), along with project associates from the Institute and the project leader dr. Elda Vitanović. The session commenced at 11:00 AM, chaired by the project leader, Dr. Vitanović, who updated the team members on the results achieved, objectives met, completed trainings, and dissemination activities, as well as future research and measurable outcomes. Dr. Vitanović placed particular emphasis on the activities, results, goals, and procurement realized during the first two years of investigation (December 30, 2023 – December 29, 2025). During the meeting, participants also discussed results from laboratory and field trials regarding the efficacy of two modified WBYs in attracting the olive fruit fly, as well as the selection of volatile compound blends for further study.

On the second working day, May 5, 2026, Dr. Frank Zalom, Dr. Qaiser Javed, assistant Luka Čotić, and the project leader held a meeting to discuss research results and the strategic plan for publishing high-impact scientific papers.

As part of this year’s Science Festival 2026, themed “Energy”, research team member of the BeerBy-4-OliveFly project, assistant Luka Čotić (DOK-NPOO-2023-10-7422), delivered an educational presentation on April 23, 2026, at the Institute premises entitled:

“Protein Baits: Energy for the Growth and Development of the Olive Fruit Fly”

The program took place from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and was designed for students and teachers of visiting schools who toured the Institute’s laboratories and premises in small groups.

During the workshop and presentation, assistant Luka Čotić introduced the students in an engaging and accessible manner to the role of nutrition and proteins in the life cycle of the olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae), one of the most significant olive pests in the Mediterranean. Special emphasis was placed on research conducted within the Croatian Science Foundation project “Novel approach to olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae, Rossi) monitoring and/or control using volatile compounds produced by brewing by-product – BeerBy-4-OliveFly” (IP-2022-10-9643), where brewery by-products are identified and processed into environmentally friendly protein baits used for attracting and controlling this pest.

Students had the opportunity to see how scientific research is applied in practice and how sustainable approaches and the concept of the circular economy provide new energy and solutions for agricultural crop protection.

We thank all students and teachers for their visit, great interest, and enjoyable time together at the Science Festival!