"It is my pleasure to nominate Dr. Antonio Zandona for The Lab Heroes Awards™ 2022! I’m Antonio’s supervisor and the principal investigator of the research project within which he made his Ph.D. thesis. Antonio Zandona joined my team in 2016 and obtained his Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry at the Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, in 2021. Already as a Ph.D. student, he showed potential for a scientific career and I have to say, he justified all my expectations and more. I can say that his work ethic and his knowledge of biochemistry and molecular biology ensure a high level of quality for our research. Antonio is an excellent, communicative, and promising young scientist with a career on the rise, showing exceptional motivation and initiative during the research. He is a collaborator at 5 national and bilateral projects and PI of three projects supported by the Croatian Academy of Science and Art. He is always first in our lab (5 a.m.) and he carries out all tasks with exceptional care and technical precision, and everything he does is always finished before the agreed deadlines (outstanding!!!!!). He always helps everyone in the lab, always with a smile, trains new people, and makes sure that there is enough of everything for experiments for the whole team. For sure, our lab would be a chaotic place without him and that is why he is without a doubt our greatest Lab Hero!"

Nominated by Maja Katalinić, Biochemistry and Organic Analytical Chemistry Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

 

"He is most time enthusiastic about science, and always in a good mood and smiling, even at dawn :)"

Nominated by Tena Čadež, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

 

"We have been collaborating on several projects. Antonio is a true team player, fun, pragmatic and always in a good mood. He is always ready to help even when he is busy himself. His enthusiasm for science and work ethic is beyond remarkable. He would always take time to help and educate people around him. Always encourages us to join social events outside the lab, often hosting or organizing events himself. He is a true lab hero to me, always motivating me to be better and is a great support in every way possible."

Nominated by Elizabeta Zandona, Department of Food Technology, Karlovac University of Applied Sciences, Croatia

 

"He is a really passionate young researcher. Also, when he is working with his colleagues or students he is really patient and explains everything so that everyone can understand what it is about. He is also invested in popularization of the science by organizing different events for young scientists such as pub quizzes, scientific talks, etc."

Nominated by Dora Raos, EpiMark Group, School of Medicine, Croatia

 

"He is a true team player, fun, pragmatic and always in a good mood. Our lab would not be the same without him."

Nominated by Iva Fiolic, Laboratory of GMO and Risk Assessment, Croatian Institute of Public Health, Croatia

 

"Antonio Zandona is one of the most enthusiastic and hard-working people I've come across in the scientific community of Croatia. He is curious in nature, devoted to his research and you can always rely on him."

Nominated by Natalia Ivanjko, School of Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia

 

"Antonio is the kind of collaborator you could only wish for! The first for work, but also the first for fun. Recognizable for his cheerfulness, smile and willingness to help everyone. Truly a hero, not only of the lab but of the entire institution!"

Nominated by Darija Klinčić, Biochemistry and Organic Analytical Chemistry Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Hrvatska

 

"Antonio is a diligent scientist who is committed to his research and always gives maximum effort with a smile on his face. He is reliable and eager to help and open for collaboration."

Nominated by Marina Milešević, School of Medicine, Croatia

 

"His enthusiasm for science is infectious and motivating. He doesn't only provide a great contribution to science but he works every day to make our world a better place."

Nominated by Lidija Jakšić, Karlovac University of Applied Sciences, Croatia

 

"He is always the first in the laboratory and creates a pleasant working atmosphere. He is ready to help everyone."

Nominated by Ana Tomašić, Strojarski Odjel, Veleučilište u Karlovcu, Hrvatska

 

"Antonio is an exceptional external collaborator, has all the knowledge and skills for smooth work in the laboratory, he is always willing and ready to help!"

Nominated by Dora Herljević, Department of Food Processing Technology, Karlovac University of Applied Sciences, Croatia

 

"I worked directly with Antonio during my PhD and postdoc years, and he was always a person that you can rely on, very organized and responsible, with amazing work ethics. He would handle his experiments successfully along with managing the supplies for it without mistake. Even now, when we are in different labs, I can always count on him for all our collaborations. Besides being irreplaceable in the lab, he has really good and cheerful personality, which is also greatly appreciated by the lab members on a daily basis. This nomination is a way to say thank you for being a team player and for all that you do for the lab and your past, current and future colleagues! You deserve the title 'lab hero'!"

Nominated by Tamara Zorbaz, Department of Biological Chemistry, The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

 

"Kind, professional, creative, the right man for his job."

Nominated by Bojan Matijević, Department of Food Technology, Karlovac University of Applied Sciences, Croatia

 

"Antonio is everything a scientist should be, but above all a great man. What amazed me was his approach to children, especially those with special needs. He showed us that science is for everyone."

Nominated by Daniela Šoštarić, Centar za Autizam, Croatia

 

"Antonio is a very talented and enthusiastic young scientist. Importantly, he is also very fun to be around and he is always in the mood for chatting. He is very responsible with work and you can always count on him."

Nominated by Ana Novacic, University of Zagreb, Croatia

 

"Antonio brings joy to our lab, he is hardworking and approaches every task with a smile. His enthusiasm for science is astonishing. He is always ready to help and is a scientist and a friend to be desired."

Nominated by Nikolina Maček Hrvat, Biochemistry and Organic Analytical Chemistry Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

 

"Antonio showed his love for research and teamwork already in his student days. Antonio is an example of a young researcher that everyone would like to have in their work environment. Always in a good mood and ready to help with an enormous amount of knowledge and creativity."

Nominated by Jasna Halambek, Department of Food Technology, Karlovac University of Applied Sciences, Croatia

 

"He is one of those people that becomes the glue that holds the lab together. He is always ready to help even when he is busy himself."

Nominated by Marija Pinterić, Laboratory for Metabolism and Aging, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Croatia

 

"Antonio genuinely wants to help anyone who reaches out to him, and while doing so, he also cracks jokes (great ones). So, your job gets done and you are in a good mood, both thanks to him :)"

Nominated by Irena Abramović, Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia

 

"Why Antonio already IS a lab hero? Because you can hear only great things about him from his colleagues. Never ever have I heard that someone is not happy with having him around! Because he will make sure that scientists from other labs (like me) know they can count on him and the equipment he has in the lab, and he is always willing to help with either experiments or discussion about them. Because when you meet him, he cheers you up regardless the occasion or his mood. So, since he already is a lab hero to everyone around him, I think it is time to officially confirm it by this Award :)"

Nominated by Iva Škrinjar, Laboratory for Metabolism and Aging, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Hrvatska

 

"Antonio was an amazing MSc student that developed into a passionate scientist always ready to discuss research and help colleagues."

Nominated by Anamarija Stafa, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Croatia

 

"Antonio is a very warm person who does all his daily duties with a smile on his face. He is committed to science in every aspect; from serious scientific researches to the popularization of science among young children."

Nominated by Ines Cindrić, Department of Food Technology, Karlovac University of Applied Sciences, Croatia

 

"Antonio is an extremely enthusiastic and motivated scientist who constantly pushes the limits of what is expected. He is always ready to help and share his knowledge and experience."

Nominated by Ivana Ćosić, Physicochemical laboratory at food department, Karlovac University of Applied Sciences, Croatia

 

"I met Antonio in a FEBS conference in 2019. He is an enthusiastic researcher with great ideas and awesome compromise with science. More, he communicates science in a way that everybody in the world will love it! More, and after some difficulties in Croatia due to some earthquakes, he helped around in his lab and maintained the scientific spirit and the great cohesion between the members of the lab. Honestly, I cannot think of any other person apart from Antonio, to be granted with the Lab Hero award"

Nominated by Elena Layunta Hernandez, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Sweden

 

"Antonio is one of the few genuinely positive people. He is always in a good mood and lifts the spirits, whether it is a work-related meeting or a casual get-together. His hard-working and enthusiastic approach to scientific work is genuinely inspiring. He is also very organized and good at planning."

Nominated by Mateja Lozančić, Laboratory for Biochemistry, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Croatia

 

"Antonio is a great colleague, always ready to help. He is talented scientist with broad knowledge."

Nominated by Tomislav Bituh, Radiation Protection Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

 

"For me it is very hard to explain why Antonio is a true Hero in our Lab in just the few words! He was the first person that I met when I came to the Institute, and was so great and supportive to me before my interview! I have been working directly with him for nearly five years now and I can say that he is a truly amazing and wonderful person and colleague! He is always smilling, talkative and cheerful, reliable and eager to help everyone, so for me he is the true Lab Hero!"

Nominated by Ana Matošević, Biochemistry and Organic Analytical Chemistry Unit , Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health , Croatia

 

"Antonio is very enthusiastic and committed young scientist with whom I have been working for over a year now. He is the first person to show up in our lab in the morning and always ready to help, even after his working hours. Beside experiments, he handles lab management as efficiently as his scientific work! Because of this, I believe his nomination for our Lab Hero is well deserved!"

Nominated by Marija Bartolić, Biochemistry and Organic Analytical Chemistry Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

 

"He is always ready to help and without him there would be chaos in the lab. He is true hero in our lab."

Nominated by Maja Meštrović, Biochemistry and Organic Analytical Chemistry Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia, Croatia

 

"Antonio is a rising star in his field of research. He stands out in research quality and innovative ideas. At the same time, he is a great colleague always ready to help. Besides he put a lot effort in representing young scientists within the institute. Antonio is definitely a strong candidate for the award."

Nominated by Marko Gerić, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

 

"He is an excellent researcher and collaborator with innovative ideas, but also a motivator of others, funny, and always in a good mood."

Nominated by Ines Primozic, Faculty of Science University of Zagreb, Croatia

 

"Why Antonio is a lab hero? If you see the nominations, you can see only great things written about him from his colleagues. Antonio is a very talented and enthusiastic young scientist!"

Nominated by Maja Matošević Vencl, University of Zadar, Croatia

 

"Antonio is a very perspective young scietists, always ready for collaboration, keen on gaining kew knowledge, ready to assisst any time and always smiling and in a good mood."

Nominated by Irena Barukčić Jurin, Department of Food Engineering, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, Croatia

 

"Antonio is kind, always ready to help. The best choice for a lab hero."

Nominated by Marija Macan, Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Medicine, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

 

"Meeting Antonio as a colleague from his first days at the Institute, the exceptional open and friendly charm that came with him never faded. I must admit that he seems always like a sun ray even if days are gloomy and grey. The whole group of these young people are great but he may just be the glue that is precious in the working environment, keeping things bound and for me that makes him a very needed Lab Hero."

Nominated by Marija Ljubojevic, Molecular Toxicology Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

 

"He is hardworking and this would be a great support to his work."

Nominated by Jelena Kojcinovic, Department of Chemistry, University of Osijek, Croatia

 

"Some time ago my friend asked me to suggest to her a young scientist who could present their scientific project on a scientific program on national television. She was looking for a young, enthusiastic, eloquent scientist with respectable knowledge who knows how to present science to the public in an interesting and understandable way. Without hesitation I told her: "Antonio is your guy!" Everyone at the Institute loves to work with him. He is always in a good mood, willing to help and easy to understand and communicate with."

Nominated by Dubravka Rašić, Unit of Toxicology, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

 

"Antonio and I studied together and I had the opportunity to see how he works in the laboratory. His work is calm, excellent and, above all, thoughtful. He was simply born to work in the lab environment and therefore deserves this Lab Hero Award."

Nominated by Ana Huđek Turković, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Croatia

 

"He is a great researcher with innovative ideas. He is very diligent and always ready to help."

Nominated by Suzana Žunec, Toxicology Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health , Croatia

 

"People with a personality like Antonio are truly rare: an optimistic workaholic, a pleasant collaborator, fast and curious, with a wide range of knowledge, reliable and enviably organized, witty and charming, very creative, a talented poet (ghostwriter of birthday cards in his lab :)... It seems like there's nothing he can't do and he does it with a smile. A diamond man!"

Nominated by Sanja Stipičević, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

 

"Antonio is a great scientist with innovative ideas and excellent practical skills. Furthermore, he is always available for dissuasion of different topics, has a great enthusiasm for science and is always in a good mood."

Nominated by Andreja Jurič, Toxicology Unit, Institut for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

 

"He doesn't only provide a great contribution to science but he works every day to make our world a better place."

Nominated by Nenad Ambruš, Aparatura d.o.o, Croatia

 

"He is solution-focused and very insightful. A bright mind!"

Nominated by Miguel Castanho, Miguel Castanho Laboratory, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Portugal

 

"Super positive, always happy to help and overall a great person and a colleague :)"

Nominated by Maja Beus, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

 

"Antonio is a very engaging, competent, and cheerful scientist, always brightening everyone's day with a smile."

Nominated by Bojan Žunar, Laboratory for Biochemistry, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, Croatia

 

"Antonio is a great researcher and scientist. He does all the work with a smile! We need more people like him in the world."

Nominated by Irena Brčić Karačonji, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

 

"Antonio is a very commited young scientist with lot of enthusiasm for popularization of science. He is always willing to help, and solves problem with a smile on his face. I had great experience working with him, and his close associates can certainly confirm that."

Nominated by Marijana Blažić, Department of Food Technology, Karlovac University of Applied Sciences, Croatia

 

"Antonio is an exceptional young scientist, patient, precise and always ready to help, with a smile on his face. He is always doing his job with joy and remarkable easiness, constantly motivating everyone around him to do better. I recommend him to be a lab hero, because he really deserves it! Good luck Z! ;)"

Nominated by Katarina Butorac, Laboratory for Antibiotic, Enzyme, Probiotic and Starter Cultures Technology/Department of Biochemical Engineering, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Croatia

 

"Very kind person and an exceptionally high-quality researcher."

Nominated by Nevenka Kopjar, Mutagenesis Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

 

"Because he is the best and most motivated scientist I know. Cooperation with him is excellent, he does everything quickly even when he has a lot of other obligations."

Nominated by Dajana Gašo-Sokač, Department of Chemistry and Ecology, Faculty of Food Technology Osijek, Croatia

 

"He is always eager to work and help colleagues, has an optimistic spirit and loves challenges!"

Nominated by Maja Lazarus, Analytical Toxicology and Mineral Metabolism Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

 

"Antonio is a young and promising scientist, expert in his field and very pleasant to work with."

Nominated by Tibor Klinčić, Dechra Pharmaceuticals, Croatia

 

"Diligent researcher and kind person."

Nominated by Adrijana Bjelajac, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

 

"I have known Antonio from when we were both PhD students. He was always the first person to arrive in the lab in the morning, always with a huge smile on his face and contagious enthusiasm for his work. Other than being super friendly and easy to work with, I found him to be highly dedicated to his field and ambitious in pursuing his career. He truly deserves recognition for his effort."

Nominated by Barbara Pem, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Croatia

 

"We have collaborated on several projects. He is diligent, with a strong sense of responsibility, a positive and enthusiastic spirit, always eager to help. Therefore, I highly recommend that he be given this Lab Heroes Award."

Nominated by Alica Pizent, Analytical Toxicology and Mineral Metabolism Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

 

"Antonio is very enthusiastic about science! He is always ready to start working on new experiments, even at dawn, and always with a smile."

Nominated by Catarina Gonçalves, MCastanho Lab, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Portugal

 

"Antonio is very passionate about science, a very good and joyful lab mate, while being very focused on the work."

Nominated by Vera Neves, Physical Biochemistry of Drugs & Targets, Instituto de Medicina Molecular - JLA, Portugal

 

"Very kind person and an exceptionally high-quality young researcher."

Nominated by Anita Bosak, Biochemistry and Organic Analytical Chemistry Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

 

"Antonio Zandona is a young perspective scientist as well as a supportive person in challenging unpredictable situations, as the science is per se."

Nominated by Davorka Breljak, Molecular Toxicology Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

 

"Antonio Zandona is an extremely nice person and co-worker. He is always smiling and is always ready to help both people from his lab and those from other labs (myself included). He is also very helpful to any research assistant and he will answer any question at any time. In my personal opinion, Antonio does truly deserve the title of a lab hero."

Nominated by Lucija Božičević, Analytical Toxicology and Mineral Metabolism Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

 

"Antonio is one of the most supportive, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable people I have had the pleasure to work with. There was never a time when he didn't go the extra mile to help or answer any of the questions. A true lab hero!"

Nominated by Katarina Ilic, Neuroimaging, King's College London, United Kingdom

 

"Antonio is absolutely a prototype of a Lab Hero. I don't even work in the same institution, and I know him and his reputation precedes him. An enthusiastic early bird, innovative, reliable, hard-working, all that it takes to be called a Lab Hero!"

Nominated by Kristina Mlinac Jerković, Laboratory for Molecular Neurobiology and Neurochemistry, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine Zagreb, Croatia

 

"Antonio Zandona is a very patient, positive and enthusiastic young scientist. He is creative, able to think outside the box, persistent, investigative and truly cares about people."

Nominated by Ivana Kolić, Chemistry Laboratory, Karlovac University of Applied Sciences, Croatia

 

"Antonio Zandona is a very talented and perspective scientist. He is intellectually curious, idealistic and passionate about his work. Always kind and willing to help."

Nominated by Božica Fember, Chemistry Laboratory, Karlovac University of Applied Sciences, Croatia

 

"Antonio is a postdoc with an enviable work ethic. He brings sunshine to the lab with his cheerfulness. He completes his tasks successfully and on time, while at the same time he is always available to help others. A real team player and lab hero."

Nominated by Karla Jagić, Biochemistry and Organic Analytical Chemistry Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

 

"Antonio is a hard working scientist who is very enthusiastic about his research!"

Nominated by Ana Salomé Veiga, Instituto de Medicina Molecular Joao Lobo Antunes, Portugal

 

"Antonio is an amazing scientist who is very passionate about his science, but is also very supportive with respect to other people's projects. He communicates research with ease, always with a smile on his face. Moreover, he is a fantastic ambassador of research in Croatia and confidently represents the important work he and his colleagues are doing on international platforms!"

Nominated by Miriam Linsenmeier, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, USA

 

"Antonio is an extraordinary talent, extremely hardworking, and an exceptional team worker."

Nominated by Iva Šimić, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

 

"A great colleague who is a pleasure to work with because he is always in a good mood, and the work is always finished much before the agreed deadline."

Nominated by Marija Dvoršćak, Biochemistry and Organic Analytical Chemistry Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

 

"Antonio is truly an exceptional colleague that possesses many human qualities that you would like for your best friend to have. He is rarely in a bad mood and always very positive. He is very enthusiastic for science and research, still he always finds time to joke around and when you are stuck or need help you can always count on him. I couldn’t think of a better candidate to receive this award!"

Nominated by Ana Marija Marjanović Čermak, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

 

"He is doing everything with smile and it's better to work in such atmosphere!"

Nominated by Nikolina Medved, Biochemistry and Organic Analytical Chemistry Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

 

"Antonio is a bright presence in our lab, very hardworking and reliable! He is always willing to help or share his knowledge and ideas with us younger researchers. Our lab would not be the same without him and he deserves the title of a Lab Hero!"

Nominated by Dora Kolić, Biochemistry and Organic Analytical Chemistry Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

 

"Antonio is very ambitious and committed young scientist with whom I have been working for more than two years. He is very organized and always ready to help, even after his working hours. Beside experiments, he handles lab management as efficiently as his scientific work! Because of this, I believe his nomination for our Lab Hero is well deserved!"

Nominated by Ana-Marija Lulić, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

 

"Antonio is very talented and a high-quality young researcher who is always ready for collaboration."

Nominated by Alma Ramić, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia