Laboratory for Environmental and Life Sciences

Prof. dr. Mladen Franko

Mladen Franko, is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Nova Gorica, Nova Gorica, Slovenia, where till 2022 he served as the Vice-rector for education and Head of the Laboratory for Environmental and Life Sciences.
His current research interests and expertise include: development and application of new analytical methods based on laser photothermal spectroscopy for detection of heavy metals and their species and organic compounds following chromatographic separation and FIA including microfluidic systems; development of new biosensors and laser detection techniques for determination of toxic and essential compounds in environmental and biological samples; and investigations of photochemical degradation of organic environmental pollutants and related toxicity.
His research achievements are reported in 128 works registered in Web of Science database, which were cited over 2300 times. In addition, he published 5 book chapters and presented over 60 invited lectures at international conferences and meetings, universities and other institutions. For his scientific achievements in analytical chemistry he was awarded the “Zois Prize” – State Award for Science of the Republic of Slovenia in 2005.
From 2004 till 2017, he served as the Vice-president of the Slovenian Chemical Society and till 2014 he was Associate editor of Acta Chimica Slovenica.
Mladen Franko lectured undergraduate and graduate courses on Chemistry, Fundamentals of Environmental Science, Remote Sensing, Analytical Chemistry, Analytical Instrumentation, Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology at University of Nova Gorica, University of Ljubljana, University of Maribor, University of Turin (Italy), and China University of Geosciences in Wuhan.

Education and Professional Qualifications

1981
B.Sc. Chemistry, University of Ljubljana

1983
M.Sc. Chemistry, University of Ljubljana

1990
Ph.D. Anal. Chemistry, Marquette University, Milwaukee, USA

Positions

Academic

2015 –
University of Maribor: Visiting professor of Analytical Chemistry

2010 – 2022
University of Nova Gorica: Vice-rector for eduction

2009-2010
University of Nova Gorica: Vice-president for education

2007
University of Nova Gorica: Professor of Chemistry

2007
China university of geosciences, Wuhan, China: Guest professor

2005-2013
University of Nova Gorica: Director, Graduate program of Environmental Sciences

2000-2010
University of Turin, Torino, Italy: Visiting Professor

1999-2009
University of Nova Gorica: Dean – School of Environmental Sciences

1988-1993
Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, University of Ljubljana: Teaching Assistant for the field of Analytical Chemistry

1987
Marquette University, Milwaukee, USA: Teaching Assistant

Research

2017 – 2021
University of Nova Gorica, Head – Laboratory of Environmental and Life Sciences

2013-2017
University of Nova Gorica, Head – Laboratory of Environmental Research – Scientific counselor

1999-2005
University of Nova Gorica: Head – Laboratory of Environmental Research

1997-1999
School of Environmental Sciences, Nova Gorica Polytechnic:
Head – Department of Physical and Analytical Environmental Chemistry

1995-1997
Jožef Stefan Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences:
Head – Laboratory for Analytical Chemistry

1993-1995
Jožef Stefan Institute, Department of Physical and Environmental Chemistry: Head – Laboratory for Analytical and Environmental Chemistry

1983-1993
Jožef Stefan Institute, Department of Nuclear Chemistry: Research Associate

1981-1983
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, Chemistry Department: Research Assistant

Honorary

2022 -

University of Nova Gorica Foundation, President of the Managing Board

2014 - 2018
Council of higher education of the Republic of Slovenia, vice-chairman

2009–2011
EMUNI Euro-Mediterranean University, Member of the Senate

2008–2010
Center EMINU, Chairman of Academic Board

2006–
Slovenian Research Agency, Member committee for interdisciplinary research

2005–2009
Council of higher education of the Republic of Slovenia, member Committee for Public Services

2003 - 2020
Edvard Rusjan Foundation, President of Scientific Council

2002–2004
Council of higher education of the Republic of Slovenia, member Committee for Natural Sciences and Technology

1995–1996
Jožef Stefan Institute, Advisor to Director General

Research topics

Analytical chemistry:

  • development and application of new analytical methods based on laser photothermal spectroscopy for detection of heavy metals and their species (Cr(III), Cr(VI), Fe(II), Fe(III), Fe-pyoverdine, nano-Ag, Ag+ ...) and organic compounds (pesticides, fatty acids, antioxidants, …) following chromatographic separation and flow injection analysis (FIA);
  • development and application of bioanalytical methods and laser detection techniques in combination with FIA and microfluidic systems for determination of toxic (organophosphates, neonicotinoids, allergens, biogenic amines, cyanotoxins …) and essential compounds (carrotenoids, anthocyanins) in food and environmental samples, as well as biomarkers in medical diagnostics (NGAL, cholinesterases, viruses and pseudovirions);

Environmental chemistry:

  • photochemical degradation of organic environmental pollutants (organophosphates, neonicotinoids and rhyanodine insecticides, antibiotics, humic substances) in laboratory and environmental conditions
  • measurements of heavy metals and organic compounds in water (incl. cloud water) and in biological samples (phytoplankton, aquatic plants)

Physical chemistry:

  • optical and thermal characterization of thin-layered materials by photoacoustic spectroscopy and beam deflection spectrometry
  • investigations of diffusion processes in microfluidic systems
  • investigations of fast chemical reactions by laser flash photolysis and laser spectroscopy

Awards

2019

Honorary Doctor, Azerbaijan State Agricultural University (Ganja, Azerbaijan)

2017

Excellent in Science – recognition by the Slovenian research agency (with L. Žiberna, M. Martelanc, and S. Passamonti)

2013
“Primorski um 2012” prize for achievements in sciense, awarded by Radio Koper, TV Koper and Primorske Novice Journal

2005
“Zois Prize” for scientific achievements in analytical chemistry – State Award for Science of the Republic of Slovenia

1994, 1996
Dutch Academy of Sciences Fellowship (NWO, The Netherlands)

1992
Visiting Scientist Fellowship (Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands)

1989/90
Arthur J. Schmitt Fellowship (Marquette University – USA)

1988/89
Marquette University Fellowship (USA)

Organization of international scientific meetings and schools

2022

ICPPP21 – 21st International Conference on Photoacoustic and Photothermal Phenomena, 19-24 June 2022, Bled, Slovenia, Chairman of the Organizing and Programme Committee

2016, 2018
The International Summer School: “Basic Photothermal and Photoacoustic Techniques: Theory, Instrumentation and Application” 19-26 October 2016, Erice, Italy, 12-17 September 2018, Erice, Italy, Director of the School

2015
The International Summer School: “Photothermal Instrumental Techniques” 4-10 September 2015, Novi Sad, Serbia, Director of the School

2012
19th YISAC Young Investigators Seminar on Analytical Chemistry, Chairman of International scientific committee

2010
EMEC11-11th European Meeting on Environmental Chemistry, 2010, Portoroz, Chairman of International Scientific Committee

2005
Gordon research Conference “Photoacoustic and Photothermal Phenomena” 2005, Trieste, Co-Chairman

2003-2007
13th, 14th, and 15th. International Symposium “Spectroscopy in Theory and Practice”, Nova Gorica, Chairman of Organizing and International Scientific Committee

Memberships in organizing committees

2013
CPPTA – The Conference on Photoacoustic and Phtotothermal Theory and Applications, Warsaw 2013, Member international scientific committee

2012
19th YISAC Young Investigators Seminar on Analytical Chemistry, Chairman international scientific committee

2010
EMEC11 – 11th European Meeting on Environmental Chemistry, Portorož, 2010, Chairman International Scientific Committee

2005
Gordon research Conference “Photoacoustic and Photothermal Phenomena” 2005, Trieste, Co-Chair

2003–2007
13th, 14th, and 15th. International Symposium “Spectroscopy in Theory and Practice”, Nova Gorica,

2003, 2005, 2007
Chairman of Organizing and International Scientific Committee

2002
4th Mediterranean Basin Conference on Analytical Chemistry Portorož, 2002
Y – member Organizing Committee

1993-2001
International Symposium “Spectroscopy in Theory and Practice” Bled – member Organizing Committee

1997
“International Symposium on Environmental Epidemiology in Central and Eastern Europe: Critical Issues for Improving Health”, Smolenice, Slovak Republic, 1997 , member, International Scientific Committee

1996
3rd Young Investigators’ Seminar on Analytical Chemistry, Ljubljana, 1996
- member, Scientific Committee

Memberships in professional associations

2010–
ACE – Association of Chemistry and the Environment

2003 - 2017
Slovene Society of Toxicology

1992 –
IUPAC

1992 –
Association of Nuclear Experts of Slovenia

1981 –
Slovene Chemical Society

1987 - 1990
Society for Applied Spectroscopy

Editorial work

2021 -

Critical Reviews in Analytical Chemistry – Member Editorial Board

2019

SN Applied Sciences – Guest Editor

2015, 2016

International Journal of Thermophysics - Guest Editor

2004 – 2010

Acta Chimica Slovenica - Associate Editor

Selected recent scientific publications (2017 - 2022)

  • Milošev I., Hamulić D., Rodič P., Carrière C., Zanna S., Budasheva H., Korte D., Franko M., Mercier D., Seyeux A., Marcus P., Siloxane-polyacrylic sol-gel coatings with alkyl and perfluoroalkyl chains: Synthesis, composition, thermal properties and long-term corrosion protection. Appl. Surf. Sci., 574, 2022; 151578,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2021.151578
  • Abdelhamid M., Korte D., Cabrera H., Pliekhova O., Ebrahimpour Z., Lavrenčič Štangar U., Franko M., Thermo-Optical Characterization of Cu- and Zr-Modified TiO2 Photocatalysts by Beam Deflection Spectrometry. Appl. Sci., 11, 2021, 10937; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112210937
  • Knez F., Uršič M., Knez N., Peeters K., Franko M., Zidar P., Use of the modified controlled atmosphere cone calorimeter for the assessment of fire effluents generated by burning wood under different ventilation conditions. Fire Mater. 2021, 1-8 DOI: 10.1002/fam.3042
  • Folorunsho O.G., Oloketuyi S.F., Mazzega E., Budasheva H., Beran A., Cabrini M., Korte D., Franko M., De Marco A., Nanobody-dependent detection of microcyst is aeruginosa by ELISA and thermal lens spectrometry. Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol., 193, 2021, 2729-2741 DOI:10.1007/s12010-021-03552-6
  • Ebrahimpour Z., Abdelhamid M., Pliekhova O., Gadejisso-Tossou K., Cabrera H., Korte D., Niemela J., Lavrenčič Štangar U., Franko M., Photodegradation mechanisms of Reactive Blue 19 dye under UV and simulated solar light irradiation. Spectrochim. Acta A: Mol. Biomol. Spectrosc., 252, 2021, 1-10. doi:10.1016/j.saa.2021.119481.
  • Topić J., Butinar L., Ćurko N., Kovačević Ganić K., Mozetič Vodopivec B., Korte D., Franko M., Implementation of high performance liquid chromatography coupled to thermal lens spectrometry (HPLC-TLS) for quantification of pyranoanthocyanins during fermentation of Pinot Noir grapes. SN Appl. Sci., 2, 2020, 1-15. doi:10.1007/s42452-020-3005-8.
  • Jovančić N., Markushev D.K., Markushev D.D., Aleksić S.P., Pantić D.S., Korte D., Franko M., Thermal and Elastic Characterization of Nanostructured Fe2O3 Polymorphs and TiO2 - Coated Fe2O3 Using Open Photoacoustic Cell, Int. J. Thermophys., 2020, 41:90, doi:10.1007/s10765-020-02669-w
  • Cabrera H., Goljat L., Korte D., Marín E., Franko M., A multi-thermal-lens approach to evaluation of multi-pass probe beam configuration in thermal lens spectrometry, Anal. Chim. Acta, 1100, 2020, 182-190.
  • Tripon C., Dadarlat D., Kovacs K., Tosa V. P., Franko M., Thermal effusivity investigations of solid thermoelectrics using the front photopyroelectric detection, Int. J. Thermophys. 2020, 41:15, Doi: 10.1007/s10765-019-2593-2
  • Tomšič G., Goljat L., Budasheva H., Korte D., Bratkič A., Franko M., Determination of Iron in environmental water samples by FIA-TLS, Acta Chim. Slov., 66, 2019, 814-820.
  • Budasheva H., Kravos A., Korte D., Bratkič A., Gao Y., Franko M., Determination of dissolved iron redox species in freshwater sediment using DGT technique coupled to BDS. Acta Chim. Slov., 66, 2019, 239-246.
  • Rodič P., Katić J., Korte D., Desimone P.M., Franko M., Ceré S., Metikoš-Huković M., Milošev I., The effect of cerium ions on the structure, porosity and electrochemical properties of Si/Zr-based hybrid sol-gel coatings deposited on aluminum. Metals, 8, 2018, 248-1-248-20
  • Proskurnin M.A., Korte D., Rogova O.B., Volkov D.S., Franko M., Photothermal beam deflection spectroscopy for the determination of thermal diffusivity of soils and soil aggregates, Int. J. Thermophys., 39, 2018, 1-13.
  • Maver U., Xhanaric K., Žižek M., Korte D., Gradišnik L., Franko M., Finšgar M., A combination of interdisciplinary analytical tools for evaluation of multi- layered coatings on medical grade stainless steel for biomedical applications, Eur. J. Pharm. Biopharm., 128, 2018, 230–246.
  • Galimova V.R., Liu M., Franko M., Volkov D.S., Hibara A., Proskurnin M.A., Hemichrome determination by thermal lensing with polyethylene glycols for signal enhancement in aqueous solutions, Anal. Lett., 51, 2018, 1743-1762. https://doi.org/10.1080/00032719.2017.1391828.
  • Cabrera H., Akbar J., Korte D., Ramírez-Miquet E.E., Marín E., Niemela J., Ebrahimpour Z., Mannatunga K., Franko M., Trace detection and photothermal spectral characterization by a tuneable thermal lens spectrometer with white-light excitation, Talanta, 183, 2018, 158-163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2018.02.073
  • Korte D., Grahovac A., Jerkič A., Vajdle O., Anojčič J., Guszvany V., Budič B., Franko M., Speciation and determination of ionic and trace-level colloidal silver in selected personal care products by thermal lens spectrometry, Pharm. Anal. Acta, 9, 2018, 573
  • Tran C.D., Prosenc F., Franko M., Facile synthesis, structure, biocompatibility and antimicrobial property of gold nanoparticle composites from cellulose and keratin, J. Colloid Interface Sci., 510, 2018, 237-245.
  • Cabrera H., Korte, D., Kaukler D., Fanetti M., Daubront E., Franko, M., Determination of petrophysical properties of sedimentary rocks by optical methods, Sedim. Geol. 350, 2017, 72-79, doi:10.1016/j.sedgeo.2017.01.007 .
  • Markushev D., Ordonez-Miranda J., Rabasović M., Chirtoc M., Todorović D., Bialkowski S., Korte D., Franko M., Thermal and elastic characterization of glassy carbon thin films by photoacoustic measurements, Eur. Phys. J. Plus 132, 2017, 33.
  • Rivoira L., Žorž M., Martelanc M., Budal S., Carena D., Franko M., Bruzzoniti M.C. Novel approaches for the determination of biogenic amines in food samples. Studia UBB Chemia, 62, 2017, 103-122.

Nova Gorica, 15 August 2022