Dr. Iva Njunjić

Dr. Iva Njunjić is an adventurous scientist with a deep passion for the hidden world of cave beetles. She began studying the mysterious Anthroherpon beetles as a bachelor student, and her fascination only grew stronger during her PhD. She obtained her PhD from the Paris-Sorbonne University and has worked at the Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia, the University of Novi Sad, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, and the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle in Paris. She is a National Geographic Explorer and TEDx speaker. Iva explored more than 300 caves, and has published scientific papers on the bizarre spider-like cave beetles of southern Europe. Her work has been featured in international media like the Guardian and Live Science. Some of her cave explorations were captured in videos that can be viewed here and here and new species that she described were listed among Top ten species described in 2016.

Iva is also the co-founder of Taxon Expeditions, an organization dedicated to involving citizen scientists in real biological discoveries. Through Taxon Expeditions, she helps nature enthusiasts, students, and amateur scientists participate in hands-on biodiversity research, often leading to the discovery of new species. These expeditions take participants into the heart of nature, from rainforests to caves, where they learn field techniques, collect specimens, and even contribute to published scientific studies. By bridging the gap between professional researchers and the public, Iva is making science more accessible and inspiring a new generation of explorers to uncover the planet’s hidden biodiversity.