Jasna Rakonjac is a New Zealand microbiologist, and is a full professor at Massey University, specialising in the biology and structure of bacteriophages, and the development of technology for use in veterinary, medical, and agriculture fields. Rakonjac has founded two biotechnology spin-out companies.

Jasna Rakonjac
Alma materThe Rockefeller University
AwardsNew Zealand Microbiological Society Distinguished Orator Award
Scientific career
Fields
  • Microbiology
  • biotechnology
InstitutionsPlant & Food Research, Massey University, The Rockefeller University

Academic career

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Rakonjac was born in Serbia, and travelled to the US for a Fulbright Fellowship in New York.[1] Rakonjac completed Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in molecular biology and biochemistry at the University of Belgrade, and then a PhD in biomedical sciences at the Rockefeller University.[2][3] After postdoctoral research at Rockefeller, Rakonjac joined Plant & Food Research in New Zealand in 1990.[3] Rakonjac joined the faculty of Massey University in 2003, rising to full professor in 2023.[4]

Research

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Rakonjac specialises in the biology and structure of bacteriophages, and the development of technology for use in veterinary, medical, and agriculture fields.[2][4] In 2003, she was awarded a Marsden grant to study bacteriophage technology, and in 2010 she was an associate investigator on a Fast Start Marsden grant led by Massey researcher Dragana Gagic, titled Stuck on you: exploring the role of adhesins in microbial symbioses.[1][5] Rakonjac invented a new technology for the production of nanorods from bacteriophages, and is the recipient of several MBIE-funded grants to explore antibiotic resistance, develop diagnostic tests for COVID-19 and develop the nanorods production system.[6][2] Rakonjac has founded two companies, Nanophage Technologies and Retrabac Therapeutics. Retrabac Therapeutics is developing topical antibiotic treatments for drug-resistant bacteria,[7] while Nanophage Technologies, a collaboration with BridgeWest Ventures, is developing technology for diagnostic tests and delivery of vaccines.[7][3]

Rakonjac led the redesign of the microbiology degree at Massey.[2]

Honours and awards

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In 2019, Rakonjac was awarded the New Zealand Microbiology Society's Distinguished Orator Award.[8][2]

Selected works

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Using breakthrough nanorod technology as a novel approach to diagnostics". Bridgewest Ventures - New Zealand's Deep Tech Incubator With Global Reach. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e Zealand, Massey University, New. "Prof Jasna Rakonjac - Professor in Microbiology - Massey University". www.massey.ac.nz. Retrieved 28 March 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ a b c "Jasna Rakonjac - President, Nanophage Technologies at Bridgewest Group". THE ORG. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  4. ^ a b "2022 Professorial promotions announced". www.massey.ac.nz. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Search Marsden awards 2008–2017". Royal Society Te Apārangi. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  6. ^ Zealand, Massey University, New. "Prof Jasna Rakonjac - Professor in Microbiology - Massey University". www.massey.ac.nz. Retrieved 28 March 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ a b "Our Portfolio | Massey Ventures". Massey Ventures Ltd. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  8. ^ "History". New Zealand Microbiological Society, Inc. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
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