Filip SLAVKOVIC

filip.slavkovic@inrae.fr 

I am a Research Scientist at INRAE-GAFL whose research focuses on the genetic basis of plant–pollinator interactions and the development of breeding strategies for more sustainable and resilient agriculture. As a molecular geneticist, I combine genetics, genomics, and advanced phenotyping to investigate the floral traits that influence pollinator attraction and foraging behavior. Using melon (Cucumis melo L.) as a model species, I study nectar production, floral morphology, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and pollen reward to identify the genes and natural genetic variation underlying these traits.

My work integrates innovative phenotyping technologies with functional genomics to better understand the mechanisms underlying plant–pollinator interactions. Ultimately, I aim to harness natural genetic diversity to develop crop varieties that better support pollinators while maintaining agricultural productivity and fostering more sustainable agroecosystems.

Education

2025 – present, Research Scientist (CRCN) at INRAE-GAFL, Avignon

2022 – 2025, Postdoctorate in Plant Genetics, IPS2, Paris, France

2018 – 2022, PhD thesis, Plant Genetics, Paris Saclay University

2012- 2015, MSc in Plant Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

2008 – 2012, B.Sc. in Horticulture, The University of Belgrade, Serbia

Publications

Slavković, F., Boualem, A., Dogimont, C., and Bendahmane, A. (2024). Phenotyping floral

attractiveness to pollinators using volatilomics, 3D imaging, and insect monitoring.

Molecular Plant 17:1164–1166.

Slavković, F., and Bendahmane, A. (2023). Floral Phytochemistry: Impact of Volatile

Organic Compounds and Nectar Secondary Metabolites on Pollinator Behavior and Health.

Chemistry & Biodiversity 20:e202201139.

Begot*, L., Slavkovic*, F., Oger, M., Pichot, C., Morin, H., Boualem, A., Favier, A.-L., and

Bendahmane, A. (2022). Precision Phenotyping of Nectar-Related Traits Using X-ray Micro

Computed Tomography. Cells 11:3452. *Equal contribution

Slavković, F., Dogimont, C., Morin, H., Boualem, A., and Bendahmane, A. (2021). The

Genetic Control of Nectary Development. Trends in Plant Science 26:260–271.

Slavković, F., Greenberg, A., Sadowsky, A., Zemach, H., Ish-Shalom, M., Kamenetsky, R.,

and Cohen, Y. (2016). Effects of applying variable temperature conditions around

inflorescences on fertilization and fruit set in date palms. Scientia Horticulturae 202:83–90.

Cohen, Y., Slavkovic, F., Birger, D., Greenberg, A., Sadowsky, A., Ish-Shalom, M., Benita, M.,

Ticuchinski, T., Avnat, Y., and Kamenetsky, R. (2016). Fertilization and fruit setting in date

palm: biological and technological challenges. Acta Hortic. Advance Access published

December 2016, doi:10.17660/ActaHortic.2016.1130.53.

Zhang, S., Tan, F.-Q., Chung, C.-H., Slavkovic, F., Devani, R. S., Troadec, C., Marcel, F., Morin,

H., Camps, C., Gomez Roldan, M. V., et al. (2022). The control of carpel determinacy

pathway leads to sex determination in cucurbits. Science 378:543–549.

Huang, H.-Y., Zhang, S., Choucha, F. A., Verdenaud, M., Tan, F.-Q., Pichot, C., Parsa, H. S.,

Slavkovic, F., Chen, Q., Troadec, C., et al. (2024). Harbinger transposon insertion in

ethylene signaling gene leads to emergence of new sexual forms in cucurbits. Nat Commun

15:4877.

CV

https://cv.hal.science/filip-slavkovic

Publications

https://cv.hal.science/filip-slavkovic

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=zFpQ91oAAAAJ&hl=fr

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Filip-Slavkovic?ev=hdr_xprf

https://orcid.org/my-orcid?orcid=0000-0002-4668-5442