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 Secretary General was elected by the Management Board on the 24th of December 2012.

Secretary General of the Department: Academician Rudolf KASTORI

The Board of the Department:

Assistant Professor Goran ANAČKOV, PhD
Professor Ferenc BAGI, PhD
Professor Pal BOŽA, PhD
Professor Verica BOŽIĆ KRSTIĆ, PhD
Professor Milan VAPA, PhD
Professor Miroslav VESKOVIĆ, PhD
Professor Ante VUJIĆ, PhD
Professor Jelena VUKOJEVIĆ, PhD
Professor Ružica IGIĆ, PhD
Mlađen Jovanović, PhD
Professor Vladimir KATIĆ, PhD
Professor Marija KRALJEVIĆ BALALIĆ, PhD
Professor Borivoj KRSTIĆ, PhD
Professor Bogosav LAŽETIĆ, PhD
Professor Ida LESKOŠEK ČUKALOVIĆ, PhD
Professor Lazar LEPŠANOVIĆ, PhD
Professor Ivana MAKSIMOVIĆ, PhD
Professor Jovan MAKSIMOVIĆ, PhD
Academician Vojislav MARIĆ
Ana MARJANOVIĆ JEROMELA, PhD
Professor Slobodan MARKOVIĆ, PhD
Professor Milan MATAVULJ, PhD
Professor Stevan MAŠIREVIĆ, PhD
Professor Zoran MAŠIĆ, PhD
Professor Nada MILOŠEVIĆ, PhD
Professor Dragiša POPOVIĆ, PhD
Marina PUTNIK DELIĆ, MA
Professor Čedomir RADENOVIĆ, PhD
Academician Bogoljub STANKOVIĆ
Professor Dušan SURLA, PhD
Professor Slobodan ĆURČIĆ, PhD
Professor Smiljka ŠIMIĆ, PhD
Professor Marija ŠKRINJAR, 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

In accordance with the bequeath of Professor Lazar Stojković (*1904–†1977), Matica Srpska instituted an award bearing his name and is awarded every three years to junior scientific workers on the day of his birth, the 23rd of March. According to the wish of the great benefactor, this award is intended for young scientists primarily dealing with issues in the fields of agroecology and agroecosystems. It has been awarded since 1990. The jury of the award was elected at the Assembly Meeting of the Management Board of Matica Srpska held on the 24th of December 2012. The award for 2012 was given to Đorđe Krstić, PhD and Srđan Šeremešić, PhD University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Agriculture equally.

The jury of the Professor Lazar Stojković Award:

Professor Marija KRALJEVIĆ BALALIĆ, PhD president of the jury
Academician Rudolf KASTORI
Professor Ivana MAKSIMOVIĆ, PhD
Nada MILOŠEVIĆ, PhD
Academician Dragan ŠKORIĆ.

The Pupin Award

The Pupin Award is given to student papers representing a contribution to technical, natural and mathematical disciplines that were the field of operation of Mihajlo Pupin. The award was instituted in 2011 and is given every three years. The jury of the Pupin Award was elected on the 24th December 2012 at the meeting of the Board of the Department.

The jury of the Pupin Award:

Professor Vladimir KATIĆ, PhD president of the jury
Professor Branislav BOROVAC, PhD
Professor Marijana VOJNOVIĆ MILORADOV, PhD
Professor Miljko SATARIĆ, PhD
Professor Vladimir Vujičić, PhD
Professor Dušan SURLA, 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

Associate for scientific research activities:
Mirjana Zrnić
Telephone: 021 6615- 798 and 021 420-199, extension 118, fax 021 528-901
е-mail: mzrnic@maticasrpska.org.rs