What do you do?
I graduated in Biology at the Faculty of Science and Mathematics in Podgorica, where I also obtained a Master’s degree, while I doctorated at the University of Salento, in Italy, in the field of Biochemistry and Molecular biology. After that, I worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute for Cancer and Aging Research in Nice (France), and since 2018 I am back in Montenegro. I am currently working as a research associate at the Center for Biomedicine at the Institute for Advanced Studies of the University of Montenegro, and as the Head of the molecular medicine laboratory at the Faculty of Medicine in Podgorica. As an active researcher, I am currently a participant in two European COST projects, one Erasmus+ CBHE project, and two national scientific research projects.
How does your practice of science contribute to the wider community?
My area of scientific interest is cancer biology, with a focus on studies of the molecular basis of cancer, but also translational research on various diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. These researches are focused on better understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms underlying the development of cancer, aiming to find new target molecules for future therapeutic interventions, but also to find new, non-invasive, specific biomarkers for the early detection of cancer, which would enable earlier detection of the disease. In this regard, the intention is to improve the quality of life of cancer patients, the survival rate, reduce complications and, in some cases, increase the chance of a cure.
What motivated you to become a scientist?
My professional development path has always been directed by curiosity and fascination with the microcosm we call the cell. The fundamental issues that are at the basis of the functioning of all living beings do not stop tickling my imagination even today, and cancer in all its complexity is a great challenge to understand, study, and one day, defeat.
What message do you send to girls who dream of doing science?
I must emphasize my personal frustration with the very fact that we have to talk about gender differences at all, when it comes to doing science, but it seems that, unfortunately, we are still living that reality. Therefore, my message would be, let’s try to build a world where this will no longer be the case, and I would rather address the boys than the girls and tell them to support their friends, whatever science they decide to pursue.