• 2009-2013: University J.J. Strosmayer Osijek/Ruder Boskovic Institute/University of Dubrovnik, Doctoral study on Molecular Bioscience
  • Plant biology: PhD in biology
• 2003-2008: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, double major: 
  • Food Engineering: Master of Food Engineering
  • Nutrition: Master of Nutrition
• 1999-2003: First Gymnasium Varazdin

TRAINING ABROAD (more than 2 weeks):

• 2014-2016 (24 months), 2010/2011 (6 months)- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
• 2011(4 weeks), 2012 (2months), 2014 (2 weeks)- Institute of Botany, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
• 2009/2010 (3 months)- Faculty of Science, Palacký University and the Institute of Experimental Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Laboratory of Growth Regulators, Olomouc, Czech Republic

• 2017-2019- UKF 1C My First Collaboration Grant "Metabolomic and transcriptomic response of  kale to low temperature stress"
• 2014-2017- NEWFELPRO Marie Curie FP7-PEOPLE-2011-COFUND “Evaluating Metabolic Diversity to Understand Plant Adaptations to a Changing Environment (PlantMS)“
• 2010/2011- UKF 2A Gaining experience grant “Identification of bioactive metabolites in medicinal plants and their In vitro propagation“
• 2010/2011- Fellowships for Doctoral Student, Croatian National Science Foundation, "Isolation and characterization of bioactive metabolites from medicinal plants grown in the greenhouse and in vitro by plant tissue culture"
• 2009/2010- Fellowships for Doctoral Student, Croatian National Science Foundation “Bioactive compounds and antimicrobial activity of plants”

Šamec, D.*, Maretić, M., Lugarić, I., Mešić, A., Salopek-Sondi, B., Duralija, B. (2016) Assessment of the differences in the physical, chemical and phytochemical properties of four strawberry cultivars using principal component analysis. Food Chemistry, 194, 828-834. [IF: 4.052]

Šamec, D., Bogović, M., Vincek, D., Martinčić, J., Salopek-Sondi, B. (2013) Assessing the authenticity of the white cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. alba) cv. ‘Varaždinski’ by molecular and phytochemical markers, Food Research International, DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2013.07.015. [IF: 3.182]

Salopek-Sondi, B., Šamec, D., Mihaljević, S., Smolko, A., Pavlović, I., Janković, I., Ludwig-Müller, J. (2013) Influence of stress hormones on the auxin homeostasis in Brassica rapa seedlings.  Plant cell reports, 32, 1031-1042. [IF: 3.088]

Šamec, D., Gruz, J., Strnad, M., Kremer, D., Kosalec, I., Jurišić Grubešić, R., Karlović, K., Lučić, A., Piljac- Žegarac, J. (2010) Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Teucrium arduini L. (Lamiaceae) flower and leaf infusions. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 48, 113-119. [IF: 3.584]

Books and book chapters

Book chapters

• Šamec, D. & Ćavar Zeljković, S. (2019) Analytical methods focused on studying phytonutrients in food. U: Nabavi, S., Suntar, I., Barreca, D. & Khan, H. (ur.) Phytonutrients in Food- From Traditional to Rational Usage. Duxford, United Kingdom, Elsevier- Woodhead Publishing, str. 237-244 doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-815354-3.00009-5.

  doi

• Šamec, D. & Salopek-Sondi, B. (2019) Cruciferous (Brassicaceae) vegetables. U: Nabavi, S. & Sanches-Silva, A. (ur.) Nonvitamin and Nonmineral Nutritional Supplements. Amsterdam, Nizozemska, Academic Press, str. 195-202 doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-812491-8.00027-8.

  doi

• Salopek-Sondi, B., Pavlović, I., Smolko, A. & Šamec, D. (2017) Auxin as mediator in abiotic stress responses. U: Pandey, G. (ur.) Mechanism of Plant Hormone Signaling Under Stress. New Jersey, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., str. 3-36 doi:10.1002/9781118889022.ch1.

  doi

• Piljac Žegarac, J., Šamec, D. & Piljac, A. (2013) Herbal teas : a focus on antioxidant properties. U: Preedy, V. (ur.) Tea in health and disease prevention. London, Academic press, str. 129-140 doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-384937-3.00011-2.

  doi

Journal articles

Scientific and review papers

• Šamec, D., Ljubej, V., Radojčić Redovniković, I., Fistanić, S. & Salopek-Sondi, B. (2022) Low Temperatures Affect the Physiological Status and Phytochemical Content of Flat Leaf Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) Sprouts. Foods, 11 (3), 264, 13 doi:10.3390/foods11030264.

  doiwww.mdpi.comfulir.irb.hr

• Šubašić, M., Šamec, D., Selović, A. & Karalija, E. (2022) Phytoremediation of Cadmium Polluted Soils: Current Status and Approaches for Enhancing. Soil systems, 6 (1), 3, 21 doi:10.3390/soilsystems6010003.

  doiwww.mdpi.com

• Ljebej, V., Karalija, E., Salopek-Sondi, B. & Šamec, D. (2021) Effects of Short-Term Exposure to Low Temperatures on Proline, Pigments, and Phytochemicals Level in Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala). Horticulturae, 7 (10), 341, 10 doi:10.3390/horticulturae7100341.

  doiwww.mdpi.comdoi.org

• Ljubej, V., Radojčić Redovniković, I., Salopek Sondi, B., Smolko, A., Roje, S. & Šamec, D. (2021) Chilling and Freezing Temperature Stress Differently Influence Glucosinolates Content in Brassica oleracea var. acephala. Plants, 10 (7), 1305, 11 doi:10.3390/plants10071305.

  doiwww.mdpi.comdoi.orgfulir.irb.hr

• Šamec, D., Linić, I. & Salopek Sondi, B. (2021) Salinity Stress as an Elicitor for Phytochemicals and Minerals Accumulation in Selected Leafy Vegetables of Brassicaceae. Agronomy, 11 (2), 361, 14 doi:10.3390/agronomy11020361.

  doiwww.mdpi.comdoi.orgfulir.irb.hr

• Šamec, D., Karalija, E., Šola, I., Vujčić Bok, V. & Salopek-Sondi, B. (2021) The Role of Polyphenols in Abiotic Stress Response:The Influence of Molecular Structure. Plants, 10, 118, 24 doi:10.3390/ plants10010118.

  doiwww.mdpi.comdoi.orgfulir.irb.hr

• Sanches Silva, A., Reboredo-Rodríguez, P., Sanchez-Machado, D., López-Cervantes, J., Barreca, D., Pittala, V., Šamec, D., Erdogan Orhan, I., Gulcan, H., Forbes- Hernandez, T., Battino, M., Nabavi, S., Pandima Devi, K. & Nabavi, S. (2020) Evaluation of the status quo of polyphenols analysis: Part II—Analysis methods and food processing effects. Comprehensive reviews in food science and food safety, 19, 3219-3240 doi:10.1111/1541-4337.12626.

  doi

• Mešić, A., Šamec, D., Jadan, M., Bahun, V. & Tkalčec, Z. (2020) Integrated morphological with molecular identification and bioactive compounds of 23 Croatian wild mushrooms samples. Food bioscience, 37, 100720, 10 doi:10.1016/j.fbio.2020.100720.

  doi

• Nabavi, S., Šamec, D., Tomczyk, M., Milella, L., Russo, D., Habtemariam, S., Suntar, I., Rastrelli, L., Daglia, M., Xiao, J., Giampieri, F., Battino, M., Sobarzo-Sanchez, E., Jeandet, P., Nabavi, S., Yousefi, B., Xu, S. & Shirooie, S. (2020) Flavonoid Biosynthetic Pathways in Plants: Versatile Targets for Metabolic Engineering. Biotechnology advances, 38, 107316, 12 doi:10.1016/j.biotechadv.2018.11.005.

  doi

• Šamec, D., Kruk, V. & Ivanišević, P. (2019) Influence of Seed Origin on Morphological Characteristics and Phytochemicals Levels in Brassica oleracea var. acephala. Agronomy (Basel), 9 (9), 502, 14 doi:10.3390/agronomy9090502.

  doi

• Šamec, D., Pierz, V., Srividya, N., Wüst, M. & Lange, B. (2019) Assessing Chemical Diversity in Psilotum nudum (L.) Beauv., a Pantropical Whisk Fern That Has Lost Many of Its Fern-Like Characters. Frontiers in Plant Science, 10, 868, 18 doi:10.3389/fpls.2019.00868.

  doiwww.frontiersin.orgdoi.orgfulir.irb.hr

• Linić, I., Šamec, D., Grúz, J., Vujčić Bok, V., Strnad, M. & Salopek-Sondi, B. (2019) Involvement of phenolic acids in short-term adaptation to salinity stress is species specific among Brassicaceae. Plants, 8, 155, 19 doi:10.3390/plants8060155.

  doiwww.mdpi.com

• Šamec, D., Urlić, B. & Salopek-Sondi, B. (2019) Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) as a superfood: review of the scientific evidence behind the statement. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 59 (15), 2411-2422 doi:10.1080/10408398.2018.1454400.

  doi

• Budzynska, B., Faggio, C., Kruk- Slomka, M., Šamec, D., Nabavi, S., Sureda, A., Devi, K. & Nabavi, S. (2019) Rutin as neuroprotective agent: from bench to bedside. Current medicinal chemistry, 26, 1-11 doi:10.2174/0929867324666171003114154.

  doi

• Šamec, D., Pavlović, I., Radojčić Redovniković, I. & Salopek-Sondi, B. (2018) Comparative analysis of phytochemicals and activity of endogenous enzymes associated with their stability, bioavaibility and food quality in five Brassicaceae sprouts. Food chemistry, 269, 96-102 doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.06.133.

  doi

• Nabavi, S., Khan, H., D'onofrio, G., Šamec, D., Shirooie, S., Dehpour, A., Castilla, S., Habtemariam, S. & Sobarzo-Sanchez, E. (2018) Apigenin as Neuroprotective Agent: of mice and men. Pharmacological research, 128, 359-365 doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2017.10.008.

  doi

• Šamec, D., Pavlović, I. & Salopek-Sondi, B. (2017) White cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. alba) : botanical, phytochemical and pharmacological overview. PHYTOCHEMISTRY REVIEWS, 16 (1), 117-135 doi:10.1007/s11101-016-9454-4.

  doi

• Žiberna, L., Šamec, D., Mocan, A., Nabavi, S., Bishayee, A., Farooqi, A., Sureda, A. & Nabavi, S. (2017) Oleanolic Acid Alters Multiple Cell Signaling Pathways: Implication in Cancer Prevention and Therapy. International journal of molecular sciences, 18 (3), 643, 16 doi:10.3390/ijms18030643.

  doiwww.mdpi.comfulir.irb.hr

• Lange, B., Fischedick, J., Lange, M., Srividya, N., Šamec, D. & Poirier, B. (2017) Integrative approaches for the identification and localization of specialized metabolites in Tripterygium roots. Plant physiology, 173 (1), 456-469 doi:10.1104/pp.15.01593.

  doiwww.plantphysiol.org

• Ahmed, T., Javed, S., Javed, S., Tariq, A., Šamec, D., Tejada, S., Nabavi, S., Braidy, N. & Nabavi, S. (2017) Resveratrol and Alzheimer’s Disease: Mechanistic Insights. Molecular neurobiology, 54 (4), 2622-2635 doi:10.1007/s12035-016-9839-9.

  doi

• Šamec, D., Valek-Žulj, L., Martinez, S., Grúz, J., Piljac, A. & Piljac-Žegarac, J. (2016) Phenolic acids significantly contribute to antioxidant potency of Gynostemma pentaphyllum aqueous and methanol extracts. Industrial crops and products, 84, 104-107 doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2016.01.035.

  doi

• Šamec, D., Maretić, M., Lugarić, I., Mešić, A., Salopek-Sondi, B. & Duralija, B. (2016) Assessment of the differences in the physical, chemical and phytochemical properties of four strawberry cultivars using principal component analysis. Food chemistry, 194, 828-834 doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.08.095.

  doi

• Meriño-Gergichevich, C., Ondrašek, G., Zovko, M., Šamec, D., Alberdi, M. & Reyes-Díaz, M. (2015) Comparative study of methodologies to determine antioxidant capacity in Al-toxified blueberry amended with calcium sulphate. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 15 (4), 965-978 doi:10.4067/S0718-95162015005000067.

  doifulir.irb.hr

• Šamec, D., Gruz, J., Durgo, K., Kremer, D., Kosalec, I., Valek Žulj, L., Martinez, S., Salopek-Sondi, B. & Piljac-Žegarac, J. (2015) Molecular and cellular approach in the study of antioxidant/prooxidant properties of Micromeria croatica (Pers.) Schott. Natural product research, 29 (18), 1770-1774 doi:10.1080/14786419.2014.999334.

  doi

• Šamec, D., Durgo, K., Gruz, J., Kremer, D., Kosalec, I., Piljac Žegarac, J. & Salopek Sondi, B. (2015) Genetic and phytochemical variability of six Teucrium arduini L. populations and their antioxidant/prooxidant behavior examined by biochemical, macromolecule- and cell-based approaches. Food chemistry, 186, 298-305 doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.07.135.

  doi

• Šamec, D. & Piljac Žegarac, J. (2015) Fluctuations in the levels of antioxidant compounds and antioxidant capacity of ten small fruits during one year of frozen storage. International journal of food properties, 18 (1), 21-32 doi:10.1080/10942912.2013.790423.

  doi

• Šamec, D., Bogović, M., Vincek, D., Martinčić, J. & Salopek Sondi, B. (2014) Assessing the authenticity of the white cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. alba) cv. ‘Varaždinski’ by molecular and phytochemical markers. Food research international, 60, 266-272 doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2013.07.015.

  doi

• Salopek-Sondi, B., Šamec, D., Mihaljević, S., Smolko, A., Pavlović, I., Janković, I. & Ludwig-Müller, J. (2013) Influence of stress hormones on the auxin homeostasis in Brassica rapa seedlings. Plant cell reports, 32 (7), 1031-1042 doi:10.1007/s00299-013-1412-7.

  doi

• Piljac Žegarac, J., Piljac, A., Basha, S., Pinter, M., Šamec, D. & Petravić Tominac, V. (2012) Degradation kinetics of total phenols, anthocyanins and antiradical activity of blackcurrant nectars stored at room and refrigerator temperatures. Italian journal of food sciences, 24 (4), 345-351.

• Šamec, D., Kremer, D., Grúz, J., Jurišić Grubešić, R. & Piljac-Žegarac, J. (2012) Rhamnus intermedia Steud. et Hochst. – a new source of bioactive phytochemicals. Croatica chemica acta, 85 (2), 125-129.

  hrcak.srce.hr

• Šamec, D. & Piljac Žegarac, J. (2011) Postharvest stability of antioxidant compounds in hawthorn and cornelian cherries at room and refrigerator temperatures – comparison with blackberries, white and red grapes. Scientia horticulturae, 131, 15-21 doi:10.1016/j.scienta.2011.09.021.

  doi

• Piljac Žegarac, J., Šamec, D., Piljac, A., Mešić, A. & Tkalčec, Z. (2011) Antioxidant Properties of Extracts of Wild Medicinal Mushroom Species from Croatia. International journal of medicinal mushrooms, 13 (3), 257-264 doi:10.1615/IntJMedMushr.v13.i3.50.

  doi

• Šamec, D., Piljac Žegarac, J., Bogović, M., Habjanič, K. & Grúz, J. (2011) Antioxidant potency of white (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) and Chinese (Brassica rapa L. var. pekinensis Lour.) cabbage: The influence of development stage, cultivar choice and seed selection. Scientia horticulturae, 128 (2), 78-83 doi:10.1016/j.scienta.2011.01.009.

  doi

• Piljac-Žegarac, J. & Šamec, D. (2011) Antioxidant stability of small fruits in postharvest storage at room and refrigerator temperatures. Food research international, 44 (1), 345-350 doi::10.1016/j.foodres.2010.09.039.

  doi

• Zovko Končić, M., Kremer, D., Gruz, J., Strnad, M., Biševac, G., Kosalec, I., Šamec, D., Piljac-Žegarac, J. & Karlović, K. (2010) Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Moltkia petraea (Tratt.) Griseb. flower, leaf and stem infusions. Food and chemical toxicology, 48 (6), 1537-1542 doi:10.1016/j.fct.2010.03.021.

  doi

• Šamec, D., Gruz, J., Strnad, M., Kremer, D., Kosalec, I., Jurišić Grubešić, R., Karlović, K., Lučić, A. & Piljac-Žegarac, J. (2010) Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Teucrium arduini L. (Lamiaceae) flower and leaf infusions. Food and chemical toxicology, 48 (1), 113-119 doi:10.1016/j.fct.2009.09.026.

  doi

Conference proceedings papers

Scientific conference proceedings papers

• Piljac Žegarac, J., Martinez, S., Valek, L., Stipčević, T., Belščak, A. & Šamec, D. (2008) Total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of Croatian food products-an overview. U: Tomas, S. & Hasenay, D. (ur.)Znanost i nove tehnologije u razvoju gospodarstva.

Theses

Doctoral dissertation

• Šamec, D. (2013) 'Phytochemical and genetic investigation of endemic species Teucrium arduini, Moltkia petraea, Micromeria croatica and Rhamnus intermedia', doktorska disertacija, Sveučilišni poslijediplomski interdisciplinarni doktorski studij Molekularne bioznanosti, Zagreb.

• Croatian society of biochemistry and molecular biology
• Croatian Society for Plant Biology