Dr. Olja Simoska

Olja Simoska was born and raised in Macedonia, where she discovered her passion for chemistry during high school. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Bard College in 2015 and completed her Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry at the University of Texas at Austin in 2019. Her doctoral work, conducted under the guidance of Professor Keith J. Stevenson, focused on real-time monitoring of dynamic metabolism and responses of pathogenic bacteria using electroanalytical methods. Following her Ph.D., Olja pursued postdoctoral training at the University of Utah with Professor Shelley D. Minteer. During this time, she worked on genetic engineering approaches to develop biological anolyte regeneration systems for redox flow batteries and enhance the performance of microbial fuel cells. Recognized for her outstanding research contributions, Olja has received various awards, including the prestigious ACS Irving S. Sigal Postdoctoral Fellowship, ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry Graduate Fellowship, Charles Morton Share Graduate Fellowship, University of Texas at Austin’s Graduate Dean’s Fellowship. She was also recognized for her teaching as a graduate teaching assistant with the Henze Teaching Award, and received the Ereztech BridgeForward Award.

In the fall of 2022, Olja embarked on her independent academic career at the University of South Carolina (USC). Her research focuses on designing, developing, and applying electroanalytical methods for continuous monitoring of human health status. Her growing national recognition is further reflected in her selection for a 2026 Cottrell Scholar Award from the Research Corporation for Science Advancement.

Dr. Simoska initiated and currently leads the Undergraduate Research Initiative (URI) program at USC, offering first-year undergraduate students experiential learning and hands-on research experience. Olja was awarded the 2025 Distinguished Undergraduate Research Mentor Award and 2025 Dennis A. Pruitt Outstanding Advocate for First-Year Students Award from the University of South Carolina. She is also the recipient of the 2027 Royce W. Murray Young Investigator Award from the Society of Electroanalytical Chemistry (SEAC). In 2023, Olja was elected to serve on the SEAC Board of Directors, and since 2024 has served as the SEAC Elections Chair. From 2024–2025, she served as an Associate Editor for ECS Sensors Plus, and in 2025 she was appointed Associate Editor for Wiley’s Electroanalysis.

Olja is also very passionate about educating the next generation of scientists, as well as about research at the interface of electrochemistry, chemistry, biology, and medicine. For collaborations, questions, and job opportunities, please contact her at osimoska@mailbox.sc.edu.