Diana Paveljšek

My academic path began with a Bachelor of Food Science and Technology at the University of Ljubljana, where my dissertation focussed on the identification of lactic acid bacteria in traditional ewes’s cheeses from the Western Balkan region. After gaining experience in quality control at the pharmaceutical company Lek d.d. and working as a development technologist at the dairy industry Mlekarna Celeia d.o.o., I completed my PhD in Biosciences at the University of Ljubljana (National Institute of Chemistry & Institute of Dairy Science and Probiotics). As part of my PhD, I investigated how specific probiotic bacterial strains protect the intestinal epithelial barrier through immune signalling pathways, utilizing advanced technologies such as CRISPR-Cas and recombinant systems. I discovered novel mechanisms, including the role of the TLR10 signalling pathway, a connection not previously described in relation to probiotics.

My research has also focussed on the human microbiota, in particular the influence of infant feeding methods — breastfeeding, bottle feeding or pumped milk — on microbial composition. I have also been involved in industrial projects utilising our isolated lactic acid bacteria strains from artisanal dairy products. These projects included the development of fermented products, the optimisation of whey utilisation and the production of bioactive compounds such as bacteriocins. Technologies such as monolithic ion exchange chromatography and benchtop bioreactors were instrumental in advancing this work.

I am currently a researcher and teaching assistant at the University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty (Institute of Dairy Science and Probiotics). I run practical lectures for university students in food technology, microbiology and dairy safety, focusing on hands-on learning in physicochemical and microbiological analyses. Outside of academia, I work with dairies on quality assurance, sensory evaluation and product development.