Activities in the domain of natural sciences date back to the early days of Matica Srpska. The first books, in the fields of agriculture, fruit science and viticulture, animal science, beekeeping etc. were published in the second half of the 19th and first half of the 20th century. Their primary goal was enlightenment of the people (Editions: Books for the People and Books of Matica Srpska).
The requirement for the organization of scientific research work in Matica Srpska resulted in assembly of the Scientific Department. It was instituted in the Constitution of Matica Srpska from September 1920 and was constituted in April 1922. Jovan Cvijić, president of the Serbian Royal Academy, was elected head of the department. The outline of the Constitution of Matica Srpska from 1948 suggested the founding of the Scientific Department of Matica Srpska. Regulations of the Scientific Department, Article 8, define the tasks of the Section for Natural Sciences. These include: research of the flora and fauna, geological and geographical phenomena in Vojvodina as well as support of the development of sciences concerned with nature in Vojvodina. The Section of Natural Sciences had two groups: Biological and Geographical. As the scientific research activities intensified, the need for the creation of an independent department arose. In May, 1965, at the Regular Assembly Meeting of Matica Srpska, the Department of Natural Sciences of Matica Srpska was formed.
Ever since then the Department has been active in scientific research in all fields of natural sciences. The core activities focus on scientific research projects, organization of scientific conferences, publishing of books i.e. special editions, periodicals and proceedings from scientific conferences as well as awards.
The work of the Department is managed by the Board of the Department that has a four year mandate. Head of the board is the Secretary General. The current Board was elected at the meeting of the Executive Board held on September 5, 2024.
Secretary General of the Department: Academician Rudolf Kastori, Full Member of the Vojvodina Academy of Sciences and Arts
The Board of the Department:
Professor Goran Anačkov, PhD
Professor Ferenc Bagi, PhD
Professor Pal Boža, PhD
Assistant Professor Bojana Bokić, PhD
Professor Ante Vujić, PhD
Professor Dragan Dankuc, PhD
Professor Simonida Đurić, PhD
Professor Ružica Igić, PhD
Principal Research Fellow Ana Jeromela Marjanović, PhD
Professor Đorđe Jovanović, PhD
Professor Mlađen Jovanović, PhD
Professor Vladimir Katić, PhD
Professor Sunčica Kocić Tanackov, PhD
Professor Marija Kraljević Balalić, PhD
Professor Dr. Borivoj Krstić, PhD
Professor Ivana Maksimović, PhD
Professor Jovan Maksimović, PhD
Professor Slobodan Marković, PhD, Full Member of Serbian Academy of Science and Arts
Professor Milan Matavulj, PhD
Professor Nada Milošević, PhD
Professor Marina Putnik Delić, PhD
Assistant Professor Boris Radak, PhD
Research Associate Milica Rat, PhD
Professor Dušan Surla, PhD
Assistant Professor Mirjana Ćuk, PhD
Professor Livija Cvetićanin, PhD
Professor Smiljka Šimić, PhD
In the past few decades the work of scientific research projects has been aimed at research in the fields of medicine and health, animal and plant research, geology, geomorphology, hydrology and climatology of Vojvodina. The research of the population, the flora and fauna of Fruška Gora and Vršac Mountains has been the most significant. Special attention is devoted to research in the fields of microbiology, mycology, biophysics and biochemistry.
Results of the work of scientific research projects are published in scientific monographs as well as in periodical and special publications, and are presented at national and international scientific conferences.
Publishing:
2008 Group of Authors, INVERTEBRATES (Invertebarta) OF THE FRUSKA GORA MOUNTAIN (I), ed. S. Šimić
2009 Group of Authors, INVERTEBRATES (Invertebarta) OF THE FRUSKA GORA MOUNTAIN (II), ed. S. Šimić
2012 Javor Rašajski, PTICE SVETE GORE– BIRDS OF MOUNT ATHOS; Dragiša Т. Popović and associates PATOLOŠKA ANATOMIJA I SUDSKA MEDICINA U VOJVODINI
2013 Group of Authors, INVERTEBRATES (Invertebarta) OF THE FRUSKA GORA MOUNTAIN (III), ed. S. Šimić; Č. Radenović, М. Filipović, М. Babić MEĐUZAVISNOST PROCESA ZAKASNELE FLUORESCENCIJE HLOROFILA, FOTOSINTEZE I OPLEMENJIVENJA KUKURUZA
Scientific Conferences
The Department organized numerous scientific conferences on issues related to ecology, health and so forth in the past. In 2003 the Department established the MIKOLOGIJA, MIKOTOKSIKOLOGIJA I MIKOZE scientific symposium (Mycology, Micotoxicology and Mycoses). This conference is organized every two years. Proceedings from this conference are published in Matica’s periodical: Zbornik Matice srpske za prirodne nauke (Matica Srpska Journal of Natural Sciences).
Awards of the Department of Natural Sciences
The Department awards development and support of natural sciences with the Professor Lazar Stojković Award and the Pupin Award.
The Professor Lazar Stojković Award
Matica Srpska, in accordance with the will of Professor Lazar Stojković (*1904–†1977), established an award in his name, which is presented every three years to younger researchers on his birthday, March 23. According to the wishes of this great benefactor, the award is intended for younger researchers primarily focused on issues in the fields of agroecology and agroecosystems. The award has been presented since 1990. The award jury was elected at the meeting of the Executive Board held on December 23, 2024.
Lazar Stojković Award Jury:
Marija Kraljević Balalić, PhD – president of the jury
Academician Rudolf Kastori
Prof. Ivana Maksimović, PhD
Ana Marjanović Jeromela, PhD
Nada Milošević, PhD
Profеssor Branko Ćupina, PhD
The Pupin Award
The Pupin Award is given for student works that contribute to the technical and natural-mathematical disciplines pursued by Mihajlo Pupin. Established in 1995, it is awarded every three years. The jury for the Pupin Award was elected at the meeting of the Executive Board held on December 23, 2024.
Pupin Award Jury:
Professor Vladimir Katić – Jury Chair
Profеssor Branislav Borovac, PhD
Professor Vladimir Vujičić, PhD
Professor Marijana Daminjanović, PhD
Professor Miljko Satarić, PhD
Professor Dušan Surla, PhD
Professor Miroslav Popović, PhD
Secretary General of the Department:
Academician Rudolf Kastori
21 000 Novi Sad, Ul. Matice srpske 1.
е-mail: kastori@polj.uns.ac.rs
Associate for publishing activities:
Ljilja Dražić
Telephone: 021 6615-798 and 021 420-199, extension 117, fax 021 528-901
е-mail: ljdrazic@maticasrpska.org.rs
Expert Associate for Scientific Research Activities: M.Sc. Nikola Pavlović
Phone: 021/6615-798; 021/420-199, extension 118
Email: npavlovic@maticasrpska.org.rs