University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy

Work as independent researcher within Infrastructural center European infrastructure for translational medicine (EATRIS).

Researcher

CeramTec - research project with industry, study of immune response to nanoparticles (ELISA, Q-PCR)

Scientific Researcher

Translational research on chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells; PhD in Biomedicine, investigating the role of constitutive proteasome, immunoproteasome, and autophagy in the therapy of CLL. The aim of this project was to:
a) understand the role of these systems in the resistance of CLL cells to Bcl-2 inhibitor venetoclax, BTK inhibitors ibrutinib and acalabrutinib and PI3K inhibitors idelalisib and duvelisib;
b) establish in-vitro models of resistant CLL;
c) establish immunoproteasome and autophagy as novel targets to combat resistance;
d) identify novel biomarkers for predicting the resistance in patients with CLL.

Collaborations:
Collaboration with Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique (CEA), Institut de Radiobiologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire: discovery of novel biomarkers and individualized therapeutic approaches to overcome drug resistance. Focus on EP4 receptor agonists as novel compounds for the treatment of CLL and activity and protein levels and genotype of Ku70 as biomarkers in CLL.

Collaboration with University of Bern, Institute of Pharmacology aimed to uncover the role of serine proteases in RIPK3-MLKL-mediated necroptotic death pathway in neutrophils. Synthesis of serine protease inhibitors and testing for their selectivity against serine proteases, such as human neutrophil elastase, cathepsin G, proteinase 3.

Young Researcher

This extracurricular project helped me share the knowledge and aid high school students with their studies (mainly biology and chemistry-related). Preparing high school students for matriculation exam.

Student Tutor

During this project we evaluated EP4 receptor as a target and selective EP4 receptor agonists L-902,688 and PgE1-OH as novel compounds for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We investigated the mechanism of cell death and demonstated that compounds are selectively cytotoxic against malignant B cells. Moreover, we observed that adding EP4 receptor agonist to contemporary targeted therapies resulted in potent synergistic cytotoxicity against patient-derived CLL cells. Thus, we established the potential of EP4 receptor agonists for the treatment of resistant CLL.

Master Thesis Project

Lekarna Ljubljana

Preparing extemporaneous (magistral) drug forms, dispensing OTC medicines and prescription medicines, preparing medicine use reviews, communicating with health care professionals.

Pharmacy Intern

Faculty of Pharmacy

Lab demonstrator at Pharmaceutical technology I Practice.
I assisted and gave practical advice to students in performing assignments. The main tasks were verifying the accuracy of computational assignments and performing demonstrations (e.g. preparation of microemulsion).

Laboratory Demonstrator

Master’s degree in Pharmacy, PhD in Biomedicine, and an MBA candidate. Passionate about translational research, biotech innovation, and drug development.

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