Early Life and Academic Beginnings

Dragan Milovanović was born on March 13, 1949, in Carina (Pecka Municipality, Western Serbia). He graduated from the Geological Technical School in 1966 and earned his degree from the Faculty of Mining and Geology, University of Belgrade, in 1973.

In 1974, he became an assistant for the Petrogenesis course under academician Stevan Karamata, on the Faculty of Mining and Geology, Department of Mineralogy, Crystallography, Petrology and Geochemistry. He also held lessons in Basic Petrology and Petrography, subjects led by professors Vera and Predrag Djordjevic, guiding over 300 students annually through intensive practical classes.

His Master’s thesis, Hydrothermal Changes in the Volcanic Rocks in Well B-2 in the Bor River (1978), deepened his expertise in petrology, geochemistry, and ore deposits. He established contact with colleagues from the Geological Survey and Geological Institute, where he worked on geological mapping and prospecting of mineral resources.

Founding Petnica

Milovanovic is one of the founders of the Petnica Science Center. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, he organized and delivered geology lectures alongside fellow enthusiasts and natural science advocates, particularly in high schools across the Valjevo district. In those early days, participants slept on straw in classrooms, and meals were prepared using traditional local recipes. It was during this humble yet passionate period that the foundation of this unique scientific institution was laid. Over time, Petnica grew into a vital center for science education in Serbia and the former Yugoslavia, occasionally welcoming young participants from abroad as well.

Doctoral Research and International Collaboration

On June 24, 1983, he defended his PhD thesis titled “Petrology of Low-Grade Metamorphic Rocks in the Central Part of the Drina-Ivanjica Paleozoic” at the Faculty of Mining and Geology. His mentor was academician Stevan Karamata. The research analyses for his doctoral work were conducted in Switzerland (Neuchâtel) and Italy (Padova), where renowned experts Prof. Kibler and Prof. Chassis introduced him to advanced methods for studying low-grade metamorphism in clastic and pyroclastic rocks. These methods are still widely applied today in the study of low-grade metamorphic rocks from the Riphean–Cambrian and Carboniferous periods.

During this time, Milovanović also began collaborating with geologists from around the world—including those from Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, and Greece—many of whom he continues to work with to this day.

Teaching and Fieldwork

In May 1984, Dragan Milovanović was appointed as an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Mining and Geology, specializing in Petrology of Metamorphic Rocks. In addition to leading this subject, he also conducted exercises in Petrogenesis, Basic Petrology, and Petrography, and often substituted for Professor Stevan Karamata by delivering lectures in Petrogenesis during his absences. His ongoing collaboration with Professor Karamata provided him with opportunities to participate in numerous field studies, scientific conferences, and congresses.

Among the first at the Faculty to introduce a personal computer into teaching, Milovanović also developed custom software for petrology and mineralogy. He modernized his lectures and practical sessions by incorporating PowerPoint presentations, slide shows, and scientific films, many of which he produced himself. This marked the beginning of his engagement with geological photography and filmmaking, a field he would eventually elevate to a professional level.

In 1991, together with Professors Vera and Predrag Djordjević, he co-authored the textbook “Basic Petrology”, soon taking over the course himself. At the time, this subject was mandatory for all geology students at the Faculty of Mining and Geology, with around 300 students enrolled annually, making for a demanding schedule of exams, tests, and consultations.

Thanks to his exceptional energy and enthusiasm, Milovanović managed—despite a full academic workload and collaboration with Professor Karamata—to continue his research on ophiolites, igneous, and metamorphic rocks, gaining invaluable field experience across the entire former Yugoslavia. He also visited some of the world’s most prominent geological sites, including the Caucasus, Novosibirsk, Urals, China, Troodos (Cyprus), Algeria, England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, and more.

In 1990, he was selected as a member of an international expedition to study the East Pacific Rift. Over the course of 45 days aboard a research vessel, he collaborated with leading geologists from 25 countries, investigating mid-ocean ridge basalts, seafloor metamorphism, and the unique ecosystems around black smokers. His extended stay in South America, including time in the Andes and Easter Island, greatly enriched his perspectives—both personally and professionally—and made a lasting contribution to Serbian geological science.

 

Publications and Research

In the former Yugoslavia, Dragan Milovanović collaborated with and published papers alongside some of the most renowned geologists. Among them were: Dr. Branislav Ćirić, Professor Slobodan Janković, Professor Milorad Dimitrijević, Dr. Branko Krstić, and Dr. Mihailo Kalenjić. The experiences gained through these collaborations provided Dragan Milovanović with fresh insights and ideas on petrology and the geological structure of the region, particularly in Serbia.

Upon the suggestion of a colleague in engineering geology, urban planning, and environmental studies, he began teaching Applied Petrography in Civil Engineering in Banja Luka, as well as Basic Geology with Petrography at the Faculty of Geography and Spatial Planning in Belgrade.

He was both a participant and an organizer of numerous congresses, conferences, and study tours sponsored by the Serbian Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Faculty of Mining and Geology, the IGCP Organizations, and other institutions.

Thanks to his tireless work and acquired knowledge, Milovanović was invited to give lectures and conduct short courses on igneous petrology, metamorphic rocks, ophiolites, geological heritage, and applied petrography in countries such as Switzerland, Germany, the Soviet Union, China, Austria, and Italy. His cooperation in Germany (Hamburg, Hanover), Austria (Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck), and Italy (Rome, Padova) proved particularly successful. During these collaborations, he worked on a range of topics, including ophiolites, metamorphic rocks, stone conservation, and geological heritage. At the University of Hamburg, he learned to work independently with the microprobe, an advanced analytical tool. The first chemical analyses of minerals in Serbia, using this complex instrument for geological studies, were conducted by Dragan Milovanović, through Geozavod, the Geoinstitute, the Faculty of Mining and Geology, and as part of various research projects, including doctoral and master’s theses.

His successful work and collaborations with colleagues and institutions abroad earned him international recognition. He became a member of the International Commission for Metamorphism, the Commission for Ophiolites, and editorial boards of both international and national journals. He also served as a consultant for the teaching and practice of igneous and metamorphic petrology, as well as for the development of doctoral and master’s theses, graduate theses, and more.

In June 1995, Dragan Milovanović was promoted to Full Professor at the Faculty of Mining and Geology, where he taught Petrology of Metamorphic Rocks. His collaboration with Professor Karamata continued, as they published joint works, conducted field research, gave lectures, and organized meetings and excursions. In 2001, Milovanović, along with Blažo Boev, published the book The Earth, Plate Tectonics, and Magmatism. Released during a time when the theory of plate tectonics was expanding, the book quickly became a cornerstone for understanding the origin and conditions necessary for the formation of various rock types. With its comprehensive topics, high-quality illustrations, and accompanying text, the book remains an essential textbook for students of Mining and Geology, as well as for students and colleagues at universities in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. In 2002, the book was recognized in North Macedonia (FYROM), where it was declared the best published book in the field of natural sciences.

With the reorganization of the faculty and the retirement of several professors, Dragan Milovanović took on additional responsibilities in the field of Technical Petrography (now Applied Petrography). Younger colleagues, including those who completed their PhD and Master’s degrees under his supervision, took part in the courses he taught, such as Basic Petrology, Theoretical Petrology, and Applied Petrography.

Introducing Digby the Worm

In 2004, Milovanović published the children’s book “Digby’s Travels Through the Earth”. The writing style, original illustrations, and the themes exploring our planet Earth have made it a unique contribution to the field of geology, not only in Serbia but internationally. The book was introduced in several elementary schools, and teachers have praised it for presenting geology in an engaging and accessible way, helping young generations understand the structure and composition of the planet. This book represents an effort to reintroduce geology into primary education, where it had been taught several decades ago.

The first edition was a success. In 2011, the second edition was published, along with an English version.

Photography and videography

Dragan Milovanović has always been a friend of the camera. Decades of experience and training in photography and recording have allowed him to capture excellent “geological” images from around the world. His collection includes particularly cherished photos from the Sahara, Andes, the Russian part of the Himalayas, Stara Planina, Miroc, Iron Gate, and many other locations. With over 250,000 photos, all meticulously sorted according to rock types and localities, some of his images are considered among the most beautiful in the field of geology in our country. As a result, he rightfully became a member of the National Geographic of Serbia.

His core idea is to make his pictures available to anyone who needs them and to place geology back in its rightful place due to its importance in educating young generations and supporting the economy of our country. On the official website of the Ministry of Environment, Mining, and Spatial Planning, the largest number of geological images is credited to Dragan Milovanović. This invaluable wealth of images must be preserved.

His deep knowledge of the geology of Serbia and his collaboration with colleagues from various disciplines, coupled with his impressive photos and videos from numerous sites, have enabled him to contribute significantly to the study and preservation of Serbia’s geological heritage. Over the past ten years, Dragan Milovanović has been very active in these areas, publishing several papers and monographs. Recognizing his dedication and the impact of his work, he became a member of the UNESCO Commission within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia.

Legacy

Dragan Milovanović has his own website, www.draganmilovanovic-kene.rs, which is unique among geologists in Serbia. Through this website, it is possible to communicate with the author and explore the geology, archaeology, and natural beauties of Serbia.

His extensive experience and collaboration with colleagues from abroad led to invitations to give lectures and hold courses on igneous petrology, metamorphic rocks, ophiolites, stone protection, and geological heritage at renowned European universities and institutes. He has also conducted reviews for many manuscripts in the field of igneous and metamorphic petrology for well-known geological journals. Additionally, he organized geological excursions throughout Serbia for students and PhD candidates from Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Slovakia, Italy, and other countries. This fruitful and extensive cooperation has resulted in great recognition for Dragan Milovanović and Serbian geology today.

Milovanovic’ brilliant lectures on petrology of metamorphic rocks and the geological environment of Serbia at the Faculty of Mining and Geology, accompanied by presentations and instructive explanations of geological processes, are now considered a key model for younger colleagues and lecturers, both in Serbia and abroad.

Since 2011, he has been invited to give lectures and conduct exercises in geology at the Faculty of Biology and to teach the subject Archaeopetrology at the Faculty of Archaeology. He was recognized by the students of the Faculty of Biology as the best teacher in 2011. For both faculties, he has written textbooks in electronic format.

Lectures at the Faculty of Biology and the Faculty of Archaeology represent an important step forward and an “infiltration” of geology into other natural sciences. He believes that this will contribute to changing and restoring the place and role of geology in the development of the aforementioned disciplines, at least in Serbia. It is also important to mention the significant role of geology in primary and secondary schools, as well as its relevance for environmental protection, construction, the preservation of natural resources, and more.

Since 2013, Milovanović has taught Geology and Environment, Geochemistry and Environmental Protection, and Geochemistry in Ore Deposits at the Faculty of Mining and Geology. In the same year, he published the book Rock Minerals, again with colleagues from North Macedonia. This book is recommended to students of geology at all departments of the Faculty of Mining and Geology, as well as students of geography, civil engineering, archaeology, and biology.

Dragan Milovanovic has over 200 books in his personal library on geology, which are continually updated to incorporate new information for his lectures. He is currently working on a new book, Basics of Petrology.

Over the past ten years, he has organized and participated in a series of geology lectures at Kolarac University. These lectures covered topics such as the Earth, volcanoes, the geological heritage of Serbia, mineral resources, and sustainable development. The lectures were well received and are considered among the most interesting at Kolarac University, according to audience feedback (data from the Internet). He has also participated in numerous radio and television shows, where he is always a welcome guest in the field of geology.

Milovanovic has built a strong reputation among all generations of geologists in Serbia and abroad as someone who is always on the move, ready for work, learning, and collaboration. He is known among colleagues for his high energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to his work. He has devoted his life to geology, which he describes as the best and most beautiful job in the world.

 

Honors and Awards

  • Winner of the “M. Milićević, Engineering Geology” Award for 1981.

  • Charter for the development of geology on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Serbian Geological Society.

  • Winner of the award for the best science book published in the field of science in Macedonia in 2001.

  • Thanksgiving to the National Museum for the development of GTL DIANA, 2007.

  • Award for the best technological innovation in 2009, Category: Resources. Third place in the open category for “Diatomaceous Earth as a Natural Insecticide.” Team BIOCONTROL (Željko Tomanović, Slobodan Krnjajić, Anđeljko Petrović, Dragan Milovanović, Ljubiša Stanišavljević).

  • Acknowledgment on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Academic Caving Club ASAK in 2011.

Participation in Professional and Scientific Bodies

  • Head of the Department of Petrology MKPG Institute of Mining and Geology, from 1998 to 2004.
  • Member of the Council of Mining and Geology from 2002 to 2004, President of the Council of Mining and Geology from 2012.
  • Member of the commission for the reform of the Mining and Geology 2005.
  • Vice President of the Serbian Geological Society
  • Member of the Mineralogical Society of Germany
  • Member of the international expedition to the genesis of geothermal East Pacific Rise (GEOMETEP), Bonn, Germany, that examined the East Pacific ridge between Nazca and Pacific plates. Resided on a research ship that has sailed from Peru to Easter Island, the Galapagos Islands, and then back to Chile.
  • Chairman of a metamorphic map and database fields, Carpatho-Balkan Mountains and the Dinarides, Bratislava 2002.
  • Expert, Federal Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources.
  • Secretary of the Commission for the Yugoslav metamorphism KBGA.
  • A member of the geological map of the Republic of Serbia from 2001 to 2008.
  • Member of the editorial board of the journal “Geol. an. Balk. axis. ” and ” Works
  • Geoinstituta “and the Natural History Museum.
  • Member of the Scientific Board of the Journal Geologica Carpathica, since October 2005 to 2009.
  • Member of the Commission of UNESCO and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the protection of natural wealth.
  • Expert consultant of National Geographic magazine, Serbian issue, since 2006.
  • Member of the University Commission for construction, architectural, and geographical science by 2013.
  • Member of the organizing committees of numerous conferences
  • Participation in over 30 national and international scientific conferences and congresses.

Books

Djordjevic, V., Djordjevic P, Milovanovic, D. 1991: Basic Petrology (p. 223)

Milovanovic, D. & Boev, B., in 2001.Earth, plate tectonics and magmatism (p. 174)

Boev, B. Milovanovic, D. in 2001. Plate tectonics and magmatism (p.174, on Macedonian language)

D. Milovanovic, Digby’s travels through the Earth 2004, p. 48, second edition, 2011. Books written for children

Milovanovic D. 2011th Digby’s travels through the Earth, (p. 47). The English version of the book Crvon travel the country

Milovanovic D. 2006. Petrology of metamorphic rocks. An electronic edition of a book which covers the entire progam course, with accompanying PowerPoint presentations. Constantly aded, corrected, supplemented with new knowledge in the field of petrology of metamorphic rocks

D. Milovanovic, 2011. Basic petrology. An electronic edition of the current book Basic Petrology, revised, modified and customized petrology course that is held at the Department of Mining and Geology. Continually complements, corrected with the new data in the field of petrology

D. Milovanovic, Leptokova S., B. Boev, 2013. p. 309. Minerals of rocks.

Scientific work

  • Petrology and Geochemistry of metamorphic and igneous rocks;
  • Geological environment genesis of rock;
  • Ophiolites
  • Arhaeopetrology (Faculty of Archaeology) and General Geology (the Faculty of Biology)
  • Aplied Petrography
  • Geological Heritage and education in the field of geology.
  • Geology and Environment

He was a mentor or committee member for over 20 doctors and master’s theses and over 50 diploma theses.

Guest Lectures

  • China: Beijing. Lecture on the geology of the Balkan Peninsula, with special emphasis on the development of Mesozoic ophiolites.
  • Russia: Moscow, Novosibirsk. Lectures on the development of igneous and metamorphic processes in the Balkan Peninsula.
  • England: London, Geological Society of Great Britain. Lecture on the geology of Yugoslavia with reference to the Alpine Orogeny.
  • Algeria: Lecture on low-grade metamorphism in the Drina-Ivanjica Paleozoic.
  • Italy: Rome, Padova. Lectures in the field of metamorphism, ophiolites, and the application and protection of stone in archaeology.
  • Germany: Hamburg, Hanover. Lectures on low-grade metamorphism and ophiolites.
  • Austria: Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck. Lectures on ophiolites and metamorphic rocks in the Balkan Peninsula. The lecture in Innsbruck was voted the best as a visiting professor (2008).
  • Slovakia: Bratislava. Lectures on ophiolites occurring in the territory of the former Yugoslavia, applied petrography, and more.

Projects

  • 1982-1983 Istraživanje kristalastih magnezita u metamorfitima Srbije. Fond za geološka istraživanja (Niš) i Magnohrom (Kraljevo).
  • 1982-1986 Metalogenija ofiolita. IGCP 197
  • 1982-1986 Ofioliti i litosfera marginalnih mora. IGCP 195
  • 1985-1991 Korelacija krednotercijarnog magmatizma Velikog Kavkaza i Jugoslavije.
  • 1988-1994 Paleozoik u Tetisu. IGCP 276
  • 1990-1995 Osnovna geohemijska, mineraloška, petrološka i sedimentološka proučavanja litosfere Srbije. MNT. Republika Srbija
  • 1993-1997 Tektonika ploča i metalogenija Karpato-Balkanida. IGCP 356
  • 1994 Detaljna geološka istraživanja gnajseva kao aritektonskog i građevinskog kamena u nalazištu “Koritance” u selu Bojnik. Fond za geološka istraživanja Srbije, Beograd.
  • 1994–1997 Carpatho-Balkan plate tectonics and Metallogeny. IGCP 356,
  • 1994-2000 Geodinamika. Metamorfne stene Srbije. Srpska akademija nauka i umetnosti
  • 1995–2000 Geološka proučavanja litosfere Srbije (07M02). Ministarstvo za Nauku i Tehnologiju Republike Srbije.
  • 1995-2001 Geodinamika. Ofiolitske zone i geneza razvoja okeanskih prostora.
  • Srpska akademija nauka i umetnosti
  • 1995-2001 Geodinamika. Metamorfizam vezan za smeštaj ofiolitskih kompleksa. Srpska akademija nauka i umetnosti
  • 1998 Petrološka studija magmatskih i metamorfnih stena Vršačkog brega u cilju definisanja kriterijuma za utvrđivanje potencijalnosti tercijarne podloge panonskog basena kao kolektora nafte i gasa. Pokrajinski sekretarijat za energetiku i mineralne sirovine, Novi Sad
  • 1999-2001 Uticaj procesa u mantlu na smanjenje prirodnog hazarda u Tetisu. IGCP 430
  • 2001-2004 Glaukonitske formacije Karpato-Balkanida Projekat međuuniverzitetske saradnje Rudarsko-Geološkog fakulteta Univerziteta u Beogradu i Eotvos Lorand Universiteta (Mađarska)
  • 2001-2005 Mezozoјski ofioliti Srbiјe – geološki značaј i potenciјalnost Proјekat Ministarstva nauke i zaštite životne sredine br. 111767, rukovodilac proјekta
  • 2005–2009 Magmatski, metamorfni i sedimentni procesi u alpskom orogenu centralnog dela balkanskog poluostrva br. 146013 (Ministarstvo za nauku i zaštitu životne sredine)
  • 2005-2009 Primena geofizičkih metoda GIS, GPR, i GPS i novih tehnologija u istraživanju timskog grada i egijskog vojnog logora Viminacijuma
  • 2008 -2010 Studija stanja i perspektive razvoja opekarske industrije AP Vojvodine-polazna osnova za izradu Strategije održivog razvoja. Pokrajinski sekretarijat za energetiku i mineralne sirovine, Novi Sad
  • 2009-2010 Studija geoturističkih potencijala Fruške Gore. Pokrajinski sekretarijat za energetiku i mineralne sirovine, Novi Sad
  • 2009-2010 Geološki objekti i Prirodni fenomeni kao integralni elementi geodiverziteta Beograda
  • 2010 Geonasleđe parka prirode Šargan Mokra Gora
  • 2010-2011 Ofioliti severoistočne Srbije i Ofioliti Deli Jovana i Zaglavka
  • 2010-2015 Petrogeneza i mineralni resursi Karpato Balkanida i njihov značaj u zaštiti životne sredine, rukovodilac projekta

Member projects in the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts

  • Tectono-Metamorphic Correlation of Metamorphic Terrains in Bulgaria and Serbia

    Local Institution: Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Department of Mathematics, Physics, and Geosciences, Geodynamics Committee
    Project leader: Academician Stevan Karamata

    Foreign Institution: Geological Institute BAN
    Project leader: Corresponding Member Ivan Zagorčev

  • Map of Pre-Neogene Basement of the Pannonian Basin in Southern Hungary and Northern Serbia

    Local Institution:
    Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Geodynamics Committee,
    Project leaders: Academician Stevan Karamata and Prof. Dr. Dragan Milovanović

    Foreign Institution:
    Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Seged Branch
    Project Leader: Prof. Dr. Tibor Sederkenji