Dr. Nika Celbar Weber | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

Researcher at Agricultural institute of Slovenia, Slovenia.

Dr. Nika Cvelbar Weber is a distinguished researcher and academic specializing in horticulture, particularly in berry crop production. Born and raised on a family farm in Slovenia, she developed a deep-rooted passion for agriculture and food production from an early age. Her career has been dedicated to advancing agricultural research, with a focus on improving berry crop cultivation through innovative techniques and sustainable practices. Currently, she serves as a Scientific Associate at the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia and an Assistant Professor at the University of Maribor, where she contributes to both research and education. Over the years, she has led and participated in numerous national and international research projects, earning recognition for her contributions to the field. Her work spans multiple disciplines, including plant genetics, organic farming, and digitalization in fruit production. In addition to her academic and research commitments, she remains actively involved in practical farming, managing her family’s agricultural activities alongside her professional career. Dr. Weber’s dedication to agricultural innovation and sustainability, coupled with her strong research background, has established her as a key figure in horticultural sciences. Her publications, awards, and leadership in research projects make her a valuable asset to the scientific community.

Professional Profile: 

• ORCID Profile

Education

Dr. Nika Cvelbar Weber has a strong academic foundation in agriculture and horticulture, having pursued her education from specialized secondary schooling to a doctoral degree. She began her academic journey at the Horticultural High School in Celje, where she obtained a Horticultural Technician qualification. She then advanced her studies at the University of Maribor, earning a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy (2009) and later completing her Master of Agriculture (2011) at the same institution. With a keen interest in plant sciences and biotechnology, she pursued a Ph.D. in Horticulture at the University of Ljubljana, which she completed in 2016. Her doctoral research focused on plant nutrition and storage effects, particularly in strawberries and blueberries. She further enhanced her expertise through a postdoctoral program at the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia (2017-2020), where she worked on developing innovative horticultural solutions. Her academic background reflects a commitment to continuous learning and specialization in agricultural sciences. By integrating theoretical knowledge with practical applications, she has developed a comprehensive understanding of horticulture, making significant contributions to the field. Her educational journey has laid a solid foundation for her research and teaching career, enabling her to bridge scientific knowledge with real-world agricultural practices.

Professional Experience

Dr. Nika Cvelbar Weber has built a dynamic professional career, excelling in both research and academia. She currently serves as a Scientific Associate at the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, where she specializes in berry crop research. In this role, she leads public service professional tasks for berry crops, manages research for the Plant Gene Bank, and actively participates in over 10 national and international research projects. In addition to her research responsibilities, she has been an Assistant Professor at the University of Maribor since 2018, where she teaches courses in Vegetable Production, Integrated Vegetable Production, Organic Vegetable Production, and General Horticulture. Earlier in her career, she worked as a Young Researcher at the University of Ljubljana (2011-2016), conducting high-level horticultural research, performing laboratory analyses, and engaging in teaching activities. Her extensive fieldwork and laboratory experience have strengthened her expertise in plant nutrition, fruit storage, and biotechnology. By combining her roles in research and education, she has contributed significantly to Slovenia’s agricultural advancements. Her work not only enhances scientific understanding but also supports farmers and agricultural industries in adopting innovative and sustainable horticultural practices.

Research Interests

Dr. Nika Cvelbar Weber’s research interests center on horticulture, berry crop production, plant nutrition, organic farming, and sustainable agriculture. She is particularly focused on improving berry crop yield, quality, and resistance to environmental stress. Her studies explore the impact of fertilization, post-harvest storage, and digital technologies on fruit production, with an emphasis on optimizing cultivation practices. She is actively involved in gene bank conservation, working to preserve and enhance the genetic diversity of berry crops for future agricultural advancements. Additionally, her research extends to organic farming methods, promoting environmentally friendly agricultural techniques that reduce chemical input while maintaining productivity. She is also engaged in digitalization in fruit production, integrating modern sensor-based monitoring and AI-driven analytics to optimize crop management. Her interdisciplinary research approach connects traditional agricultural techniques with innovative biotechnological advancements, ensuring sustainable and efficient farming practices. Through her involvement in EU-funded projects like H2020 Excalibur, she contributes to global efforts in agricultural innovation. Her research is aimed at enhancing food security, improving fruit quality, and supporting climate-resilient farming, making a significant impact on both academia and the agricultural industry.

Research Skills

Dr. Nika Cvelbar Weber possesses a diverse skill set in agricultural research, laboratory techniques, and fieldwork methodologies. Her expertise includes high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, used for examining plant nutrients, aroma profiles, and biochemical properties of fruits. She has strong skills in experimental design, statistical data analysis, and plant physiology assessments, enabling her to conduct high-quality research in fruit production. As a project leader in various EU-funded and national agricultural projects, she excels in research project management, grant writing, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Her laboratory skills extend to analyzing soil quality, plant growth responses, and nutrient composition, supporting her research on improving berry crop storage and nutrition. Additionally, she has expertise in organic farming techniques, genetic resource conservation, and sustainable crop management, playing a key role in Slovenia’s agricultural advancements. Her knowledge of digital agriculture and precision farming technologies, including sensor-based crop monitoring and AI-driven analysis, further strengthens her ability to integrate modern technology with traditional horticultural practices. With a strong foundation in scientific writing and publishing, she has contributed extensively to academic literature, sharing her findings in journals and popular science publications.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Nika Cvelbar Weber has received significant recognition for her contributions to horticultural science, particularly in research and academia. In 2016, she was honored with the Jesenko Award, a prestigious recognition for outstanding achievements in forestry, wood science, and biotechnology, awarded by the University of Ljubljana for her exceptional doctoral dissertation. This award highlights her pioneering work in berry crop nutrition and post-harvest storage techniques. In addition to formal academic honors, she has gained recognition through her leadership in high-impact research projects, where her expertise has contributed to advancements in fruit production and sustainable agriculture. Her participation in H2020-funded projects and EIP initiatives has further solidified her reputation as a leading researcher in horticulture. Her scientific articles and contributions to agricultural magazines have been well-received, making her a recognized name in both the research community and agricultural industry. These achievements demonstrate her commitment to scientific excellence and innovation in horticulture.

Conclusion

Dr. Nika Cvelbar Weber is an accomplished researcher, educator, and agricultural innovator with a profound impact on horticultural sciences. Her extensive academic background, coupled with her practical experience in berry crop production, plant nutrition, and sustainable agriculture, makes her a highly influential figure in agricultural research. She has successfully bridged the gap between scientific research and practical farming applications, benefiting both academia and the agricultural industry. Her research leadership, project management skills, and interdisciplinary collaborations have positioned her as a driving force in modern horticulture. While she has already made remarkable contributions to the field, expanding her global collaborations, patenting innovative techniques, and engaging in more interdisciplinary studies would further elevate her impact. Her dedication to scientific discovery, sustainable farming, and agricultural education makes her a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award. With a clear vision for the future of horticulture, she continues to inspire advancements in fruit production, food security, and environmentally friendly farming practices, shaping the future of agricultural research.

Publication Top Notes

• Application of Self-Organizing Maps to Explore the Interactions of Microorganisms with Soil Properties in Fruit Crops Under Different Management and Pedo-Climatic Conditions
  📅 Year: 2025
  ✍️ Authors: Francesca Antonucci, Simona Violino, Loredana Canfora, Małgorzata Tartanus, Ewa M. Furmanczyk, Sara Turci, Maria G. Tommasini, Nika Cvelbar Weber, Jaka Razinger, Morgane Ourry et al.
  🔗 DOI: 10.3390/soilsystems9010010
  📖 Journal: Soil Systems
• Postharvest CO2 Treatment and Cold Storage for Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) Fruit Infestation Control
  📅 Year: 2024
  ✍️ Authors: Nika Cvelbar Weber, Špela Modic, Primož Žigon, Jaka Razinger, Aruna Manrakhan
  🔗 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toae264
  📖 Journal: Journal of Economic Entomology
• Quantification and Distribution of Primary and Secondary Metabolites in the Inner and Outer Parts of Strawberry Fruit
  📅 Year: 2023
  ✍️ Authors: Kristyna Simkova, Robert Veberic, Metka Hudina, Nika Cvelbar Weber, Tina Smrke, Mariana Cecilia Grohar, Tea Ivancic, Massimiliano Pelacci, Aljaz Medic, Jerneja Jakopic
  🔗 DOI: 10.3390/horticulturae9050605
  📖 Journal: Horticulturae
• Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys Stål.) Attack Induces a Metabolic Response in Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) Fruit
  📅 Year: 2021
  ✍️ Authors: Nika Cvelbar Weber, Jaka Razinger, Jerneja Jakopič, Valentina Schmitzer, Metka Hudina, Ana Slatnar, Robert Veberič, Franci Štampar, Tilen Zamljen
  🔗 DOI: 10.3390/horticulturae7120561
  📖 Journal: Horticulturae
• Modified Atmospheric CO2 Levels for Maintenance of Fruit Weight and Nutritional Quality upon Long-Term Storage in Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) ‘Liberty’
  📅 Year: 2021
  ✍️ Authors: Tina Smrke, Nika Cvelbar Weber, Robert Veberic, Metka Hudina, Jerneja Jakopic
  🔗 DOI: 10.3390/horticulturae7110478
  📖 Journal: Horticulturae
• Construction of IsoVoc Database for the Authentication of Natural Flavours
  📅 Year: 2021
  ✍️ Authors: Lidija Strojnik, Jože Hladnik, Nika Cvelbar Weber, Darinka Koron, Matej Stopar, Emil Zlatić, Doris Kokalj, Martin Strojnik, Nives Ogrinc
  🔗 DOI: 10.3390/foods10071550
  📖 Journal: Foods
• Influence of Nitrogen, Calcium and Nano-Fertilizer on Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) Fruit Inner and Outer Quality
  📅 Year: 2021
  ✍️ Authors: Nika Cvelbar Weber, Darinka Koron, Jerneja Jakopič, Robert Veberič, Metka Hudina, Helena Baša Česnik
  🔗 DOI: 10.3390/agronomy11050997
  📖 Journal: Agronomy