Dr. Sanja Kovačević

My IBISS story started at the end of 2011 when I finished bachelor studies in Molecular Biology at the University of Belgrade–Faculty of Biology (2007-2010) and was in the middle of two-year master studies at the same program (2010 – 2012). As a Research Trainee, I have joined the Department for Biochemistry to complete experimental part of my master's thesis. In 2013, I was employed as a Research Assistant at Department for Biochemistry where I performed research for PhD studies (2012 – 2017, University of Belgrade – Faculty of Biology) and successfully defended thesis entitled: The development of metabolic syndrome induced by the combination of stress and fructose enriched diet – the contribution of glucocorticoids in visceral adipose tissue and hypothalamus of female rats. I continued my research (as a Senior Research Associate, from 2023) exploring molecular mechanisms and organ crosstalk leading to development of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes in both genders, as a consequence of modern lifestyle that is characterized by daily exposure to stress and an increased intake of caloric food rich in fructose. In addition, I am dedicated to analyzing and clarifying the role of microbiota in metabolic disturbances and efficient weight loss.

Through years established international collaborations with University in Lausanne (SCOPES project, 2014 – 2017), Danish Diabetes and Endocrine Academy (PhD course, 2014), Laboratory for Systemic and Computational Biology MSKCC, New York (three months postdoctoral training, 2022), Universities of Amsterdam, Lisbon and Örebro (Horizon-Twinning project STRIMHealth, 2024 – 2027). Participated in education of students as Junior Teaching Assistant at University of Belgrade–Faculty of Biology (2012 – 2016) and as mentor of PhD thesis (2019 – 2023). Actively involved in popularizing science through Research Night, Science Fair, IBISS Open Door. Member of Serbian Biochemical Society, Serbian Society for Molecular Biology, Serbian Neuroscience Society, Danish Diabetes and Endocrine Academy.