Dr. Iva Franic

My research focuses on different aspects of interactions between trees and associated organisms with the ultimate goal to improve biosecurity and forest health.

Currently, I am studying:
(1) factors that explain vertical transmission of fungi from seeds to seedlings
(2) efficacy of different seed treatments for reducing viable fungi in traded seeds
(3) utilisation of RNA amplicon sequencing for the assessment of viable seed-borne fungi

The results of these studies will improve our understanding of risks associated with seed trade and will contribute to better risk mitigation. This work builds up on my PhD project which focused on exploring the factors that influence the differences in diversity of tree-associated fungi and insects on large-scales, and how this knowledge can be implemented to mitigate the risk of introduction of potentially harmful organisms via plant trade.

• 09/2023 - present - Scientific staff member
  Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf in the Phytopathology lab
• 12/2020 - 07/2023 - Postdoctoral researcher
  Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp (SE) in the lab of Michelle Cleary
  Projects:
  “Improved assessment of viable seed-borne fungi using RNA metabarcoding” Postdoc.Mobility Fellowship, SNSF
  “The hidden world of fungi in tree seeds: growth strategies and interactions of seed associated fungi” Early Postdoc.Mobility Fellowship, SNSF
• 07/2020 - 10/2020 - Postdoctoral researcher 
  Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf in the Phytopathology lab
  Project: “Early detection of new potential pests and pathogens associated with dormant tree twigs for Switzerland”
• 07/2016 - 05/2020 - PhD candidate             
  CABI, Delémont; Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf; University of Bern, Bern
  Project: “Global assessment of tree pests and pathogens for improved biosecurity”

• 07/2016 - 03/2020 - PhD in Ecology and Evolution
  University of Bern, Faculty of Science, PhD program in Ecology and Evolution (CH)
• 09/2010 - 02/2013 - Master of Science in Ecology and Nature Preservation
  University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Zagreb (HR)
• 09/2007 - 09/2010 - University Bachelor of Environmental Sciences
  University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Zagreb (HR)