Mario was born in 1966 and is currently active as researcher (full time professor) and head of the Plant Protection Department at the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Maribor University, Slovenia. He began his professional career as crop production, protection and processing engineer, technologist and manager at an agricultural company in 1990. From 1994 ha started teaching and got engaged in other educational work with students and young researchers. During his career he was involved in scientific research and expert work in the broad field of plant protection (weed research, entomology, plant pathology, pesticide application technologies, pesticide science, pesticide ecology, alternative methods of pest control, food contaminants etc.) and has long-lasting cooperation with chemical companies when it comes to testing and partially also development of plant protection products.