The 28th International Convention of Olive Growers and Oil Millers, “Noćnjak 2026,” organized by the Cooperative Union of Dalmatia, was held in Dubrovnik from March 26 to 29, 2026. As part of the event’s Scientific-Professional Conference, research assistant Luka Čotić (DOK-NPOO-2023-10-7422) gave a presentation titled “Waste Brewer’s Yeast in a New Role: Potential Protein Baits for Monitoring and/or Controlling the Olive Fruit Fly,” authored by Luka Čotić, Frank Zalom, and Elda Vitanović. During the presentation, Luka presented the results from the first two years of research under the Croatian Science Foundation project HRZZ-IP-2022-10-9643: “Novel approach to olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae, Rossi) monitoring and/or control using volatile compounds produced by brewing by-product – BeerBy-4-OliveFly,” led by Dr. Elda Vitanović. In addition to Luka, Dr. Mira Radunić, a member of the project team, also attended Noćnjak.
Dr. Mira Radunić is a Senior Research Associate at the Institute for Adriatic Crops and Karst Reclamation in the Department of Plant Sciences. She graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Zagreb, specializing in Fruit Growing, Viticulture, and Enology. At the same faculty, she earned her Master’s degree in Biotechnical Sciences in 2003 with a thesis titled “The Influence of Training Systems on the Growth and Yield of Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium L.),” and defended her doctoral dissertation, “Reproductive Compatibility of Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium L.) Cultivars,” in 2010. Her academic career has been marked by continuous advancement: she was appointed Research Associate in 2010, Senior Research Associate in 2014, and Senior scientist in 2019 in the field of Biotechnical Sciences (Agriculture). She gained professional experience at the Fruit Center TKL as a nursery production manager, and since 2003, she has worked at the Institute for Adriatic Crops as an expert associate, research assistant, and researcher. From 2011 to 2013, she also served as Head of the Institute’s Center for Experimental Fields and Collections. As an author or co-author, she has published over 60 scientific and professional papers and has participated in numerous international and domestic conferences, workshops, and training sessions. She has actively participated in teaching at the Mediterranean Agriculture, University of Split. Dr. Radunić serves as a leader and member of research teams on various projects and conducts training programs in fruit growing, olive growing, and the sustainable use of pesticides. She is a member of the Croatian Science Foundation (HRZZ) Project Monitoring Panel, the Commission for Plant Genetic Resources at the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Commission for the Recognition of Fruit and Vine Varieties. She also leads the “Mediterranean Fruit” working group within the National Program for Plant Genetic Resources and serves on the panel for the sensory evaluation of olive oils. Her primary scientific interest is Mediterranean fruit growing, with an emphasis on the evaluation and conservation of indigenous gene pools and biodiversity.
Dr. Qaiser Javed is currently employed as a Senior Assistant at the Institute for Adriatic Crops and Karst Reclamation, Department of Applied Science. He is involved in 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-Products – BeerBy-4-OliveFly” (IP-2022-10-9643), where he contributes to research on sustainable pest management strategies. He obtained his PhD in 2017 in Agricultural Water and Soil Engineering from Jiangsu University, China. His doctoral research focused on saline irrigation management and plant physiological responses to salt stress and re-watering. Dr. Javed previously served as an Associate Professor at Jiangsu University, China, where he conducted advanced research on biological invasions in fragile ecosystems. His work emphasized predicting the spread of invasive plant species using an integrative approach combining plant functional traits, soil physicochemical properties, and microbial and enzymatic activities. Prior to this, he completed his postdoctoral research at the same institution, focusing on growth dynamics, physiological responses, and competitive interactions of invasive plant species under varying environmental conditions. He also served as a researcher at the University of Prešov, Slovakia, where he evaluated the biological activity and ecotoxicological effects of plant extracts and essential oils derived from invasive species using laboratory-based bioassays and model organisms. In 2024, he worked as a Senior Assistant at the Institute of Agriculture and Tourism, Poreč, Croatia, where his research centered on sustainable agriculture and waste valorization, particularly the composting of olive pomace for bio-based fertilizer production. His work integrated laboratory analyses and field experiments to assess compost maturity, soil health, and plant performance.
Dr. Javed has an extensive publication record, with over 80 research articles published in high-impact SCI-indexed journals. His research contributions span plant ecology, invasive species biology, soil pollution, composting technologies, and sustainable agriculture. He has authored and co-authored numerous research papers, review articles, and book chapters, and actively contributes as a peer reviewer for international scientific journals. His primary research interests include plant ecology, soil–plant interactions, invasive species management, environmental pollution, and sustainable soil management practices. In addition to his research activities, he actively participates in international conferences, workshops, and collaborative research initiatives, demonstrating his commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and promoting sustainable agricultural and environmental practices.
Last week, Split became the hub of European science! As part of the “Science comes to town 2026” project—organized in collaboration with Kiel and Brest—the Diocletian’s Cellars hosted numerous innovators and researchers.
Our PhD student, Luka Čotić (DOK-NPOO_2023-10-7422) , drew significant attention with the BeerBy-4-OliveFly (HRZZ-IP-2022-10-9643) project. In an engaging and interactive way, Luka showed visitors of all generations:
How to protect our olive groves using eco-friendly methods.
The latest results in the olive fruit fly monitoring and/or control.
Why the connection between science and nature is crucial for our health.
A big thank you to everyone who visited the stand and showed that Split truly breathes science!
A competition has been opened for the position of Senior Assistant to work on the Croatian Science Foundation (HRZZ) 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).
The position is offered for a fixed term of up to 24 months, but not extending beyond 29 December 2027, and is full-time.
A detailed description of the requirements can be found at the following links:
On 8 October 2025, PhD student Luka Čotić (DOK-NPOO-2023-10-7422) took part in the GC Masterclass Workshop held at the Bicro Biocentar facilities in Zagreb. The workshop was organised by Anas d.o.o. and delivered by Jaap de Zeeuw, a renowned international expert in gas and liquid chromatography.
During the workshop, Luka had the opportunity to gain deeper insight into common challenges related to sample preparation and injection into the column, as well as the importance of regularly replacing consumable parts—such as septa, liners, seals and ferrules—to ensure stable and reliable analytical performance, especially for the BeerBy-4-OliveFly project (HRZZ-IP-2022-10-9643).
In addition to practical guidance, he acquired essential knowledge on improving peak shape and reducing noise levels in GC and GC-MS techniques. The workshop also emphasised strategies for developing and optimising new analytical methods, offering valuable insights for future laboratory work and enhancing the quality of ongoing research.
From 26 September to 3 October 2025, PhD student Luka Čotić (DOK-NPOO-2023-10-7422) and the project leader, Dr. Elda Vitanović, participated in a scientific training program on the application of EAG and GC-EAD analyses at the Institute for Adriatic Crops and Karst Reclamation in Split.
The training focused on the application of EAG and GC-EAD techniques for analyzing insect antennal responses to volatile compounds, with particular emphasis on the preparation and analysis of antennal stimuli of the olive fruit fly.
The training was conducted by Dr. Peter Ockenfels, founder and owner of Ockenfels SYNTECH GmbH.
On Friday, 26 September 2025, Researchers’ Night was held at Prokurative in Split, organised by the University of Split within the European project Blue Connect 2.0. Among the many scientific activities, a special highlight was the interactive stand led by PhD student Luka Čotić (DOK-NPOO_2023-10-7422), who delivered a workshop titled “Olive tree in danger: Diseases and Pests.”
Through engaging materials and hands-on demonstrations, visitors were introduced to the latest research findings from the HRZZ project BeerBy-4-OliveFly (IP-2022-10-9643). The workshop was designed for a wide audience – from young children and school groups to hobby growers and professional olive producers. Participants were able to take an active role, try out research methods, and learn how to interpret data on the presence and severity of diseases and pests in olive orchards.
The high turnout and strong interest once again demonstrated the importance of bringing science closer to the community and raising awareness of the role of research in sustainable olive growing. The workshop contributed to this goal by effectively connecting science, practice, and education in an accessible and engaging way.
From September 11 to 12, 2025, the Doctoral Days of the Biotechnical Field were held at the Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, organized jointly by the Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, the Faculty of Agriculture, and the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, all constituents of the Biotechnical Field of the University of Zagreb. Within the framework of the event, PhD candidate Luka Čotić (DOK-NPOO-2023-10-7422) presented the research results of the project BeerBy-4-OliveFly (HRZZ-IP-2022-10-9643) by the group of authors Čotić L., Zalom F., Jukić Špika M., Burul F., Bego A., and Vitanović E., entitled “Modification of Two Types of Brewer’s Spent Yeast and Their Effectiveness in Attracting the Olive Fruit Fly (Bactrocera oleae Rossi).”
The 60th Croatian and 20th International Symposium on Agriculture took place from June 1 to 6, 2025 in Bol on the island of Brač. Two posters with the results of the BeerBy-4-OliveFly project (HRZZ-IP-2022-10-9643) were presented in Section 1 Plant and Food Production:
Ana Bego presented the poster “Modification of two types of waste brewer’s yeast to obtain protein bait for olive fruit fly monitoring and/or control” by the group of authors Ana Bego, Filipa Burul, Marijana Popović, Maja Jukić Špika, Luka Čotić, Frank Zalom & Elda Vitanović
2. Luka Čotić (DOK-NPOO-2023-10-7422) presented the poster “Attraction of the olive fruit fly to two types of modified waste brewer’s yeast” by the group of authors Luka Čotić, Maja Jukić Špika, Filipa Burul, Ana Bego, Frank Zalom & Elda Vitanović
