{"id":39034,"date":"2026-01-26T10:17:38","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T08:17:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medri.uniri.hr\/?page_id=39034"},"modified":"2026-04-24T12:59:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T10:59:09","slug":"third-phd-candidates-congress-of-the-doctoral-school-of-biomedicine-science-and-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/medri.uniri.hr\/en\/scientific-and-professional-meetings\/science-and-us\/third-phd-candidates-congress-of-the-doctoral-school-of-biomedicine-science-and-us\/","title":{"rendered":"3rd Biomedicine and Health PhD Students Congress"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine<\/strong>
14\u201316 May 2026 \u2022 Rijeka, Croatia<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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CALL FOR PARTICIPATION<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t

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Dear PhD students,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is our great pleasure to invite you to the Third PhD Candidates\u2019 Congress of the Doctoral School of Biomedicine at the University of Rijeka Faculty of Medicine<\/strong>, in the scientific field of biomedicine and health, with international participation, titled \u201cScience and Us\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Congress will be held in Rijeka from 14 to 16 May 2026, at the University of Rijeka Faculty of Medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participants will have the opportunity to present their research through oral presentations<\/strong> and poster sessions, <\/strong>with the option of active or passive participation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The programme includes invited lectures by distinguished experts<\/strong> in biomedicine, public health, clinical medicine, health and environmental engineering, and dental medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The official language of the \u201cScience and Us\u201d Congress is English<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This Congress is an excellent opportunity for PhD candidates and all those interested in biomedicine and health to enrich their knowledge, broaden their scientific perspectives, and establish new collaborations and friendships through a thoughtfully designed three-day programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For any questions, feel free to contact us at znanostimi@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We look forward to welcoming you to Rijeka in May 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kind regards,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Organising Committee of the \u201cScience and Us\u201d Congress<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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INVITED LECTURES<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t

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We are pleased to announce the invited speakers <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Nenad Bogdanovic<\/strong>, Karolinska Institutet, Stocholm, Sweden<\/p>\n\t\t\t

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Prof. Nenad Bogdanovic, MD, PhD, is a Croatian-born geriatrician, neurologist, consultant neuropathologist, and trained neuroanatomist at Karolinska University Hospital. He is Professor of Geriatric Medicine affiliated with Karolinska Institutet, Oslo University, and serves as a Visiting Professor at the University of Zagreb and Boston University. His clinical and research work focuses on neurodegenerative disorders, dementia biomarkers, brain imaging, neuropathology, translational neuroscience, and holistic geriatric care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He previously served as Acting Head of Research, Education, Innovation and Development within the Theme Aging at Karolinska University Hospital and as Clinical Chief of the Aging Brain Clinic. From 2013 to 2017, he led the Geriatric Clinic and Memory Center at Oslo University Hospital. Between 2008 and 2012, he worked as Senior Medical Director in Neuroscience\/Alzheimer\u2019s Disease at Wyeth and Pfizer, and has collaborated extensively with the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, including GE Healthcare, Servier, and Kyowa Kirin. In 2004, he was awarded Karolinska Institutet\u2019s highest pedagogical distinction, the \u201cMaster of Education\u201d award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is co-discoverer of the Swedish and Arctic mutations in Alzheimer\u2019s disease, which were foundational for the development of anti-amyloid antibody therapies, including lecanemab (Leqembi). His scientific work has generated more than 19,000 citations with an H-index of 75.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His expertise spans clinical geriatrics, neurology, neuropathology, biomarkers, dementia care, frailty, sarcopenia, malnutrition, and translational aging research. Nenad Bogdanovic | Karolinska Institutet<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Professor Bogdanovi\u0107 will present a plenary lecture at the congress entitled \u201eUnderstanding Dementia: From Molecular Mechanisms and Biomarkers to Clinical Application and Prevention\u201c<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Oliver Harschnitz<\/strong>, Human Technopole, Milan, Italy<\/p>\n\t\t\t

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Dr. Oliver Harschnitz is a Research Group Leader at the Neurogenomics Research Centre, Human Technopole in Milan. His work focuses on developing advanced human pluripotent stem\u2011cell models to study viral and autoimmune encephalitis, neuroinflammation, and mechanisms of chronic brain disease. He earned his medical degree from Maastricht University and completed a PhD at Utrecht University Medical Center, followed by postdoctoral research at the Sloan Kettering Institute in New York. His group employs cutting\u2011edge stem\u2011cell\u2013based systems to identify disease drivers and potential therapeutic targets in neuroimmunological disorders. Oliver Harschnitz – Human Technopole<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Oliver Harschnitz will present a lecture at the congress entitled \u201eHuman Trigeminal Ganglion Organoids Enable Modelling of Host-Virus Interactions of Herpesviruses\u00a0\u201c.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Maciej Banach<\/strong>, Medical University of Lodz, Poland<\/p>\n\t\t\t

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Professor Maciej Banach is Vice-Rector for Collegium Medicum at the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin (KUL) and Head of the Department of Preventive Cardiology and Lipidology at the Medical University of \u0141\u00f3d\u017a (MUL). He is also a Senior Research Fellow at the Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences (LCCS). Prof. Banach is President of the Polish Lipid Association (PoLA), Founder of the Lipid and Blood Pressure Meta-analysis Collaboration (LBPMC) Group, and President of the International Lipid Expert Panel (ILEP). He directs the European Program for Prevention (EPP) and coordinates scientific collaboration among 50 hospitals, universities, and societies within the Central European Prevention Initiative (CEPI) Alliance. According to Clarivate\u2019s Essential Science Indicators (ESI), he ranks in the top 1% of the world\u2019s most-cited researchers, with 87 Highly Cited Papers. The Elsevier\/Stanford University Top 2% Scientists list places him 29th globally in Cardiovascular System & Hematology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In preventive cardiology, he is among the most-cited researchers worldwide, with 135,665 citations and an H-index of 127 in Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection, and 244,971 citations with an H-index of 164 in Google Scholar. His honors include being named the \u201cMost Influential Person in Polish Medicine\u201d for 2023 (2nd for 2024 and 4th for 2025 on the combined medicine and healthcare list) by Puls Medycyny and receiving five Doctor Honoris Causa degrees (Universities of Zagreb, Ko\u0161ice, Bucharest, Kyiv, and Timi\u0219oara). Prof. Maciej Banach<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Professor Banach will present a lecture at the congress entitled \u201eLipids Reimagined: How Poland\u2019s 2026 Guidelines Can Rewrite European and American Practice\u201c<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Anita Fekonja<\/strong> , University of Maribor, Slovenia<\/p>\n\t\t\t

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Assist. Prof. Anita Fekonja, DMD, PhD, is a specialist in teeth and jaw orthopedics at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, where she serves as the Head of the Department of Jaw and Teeth Orthopedics. She also works clinically at Ortodent. She is the recipient of the Prof. Dr. Zora Jan\u017eekovi\u010d Award for excellence in teaching and student mentorship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her research focuses on hypodontia, impacted teeth, and early orthodontic treatment, and she has authored more than 120 scientific and professional publications, frequently presenting her work at international scientific conferences. https:\/\/si.linkedin.com\/in\/anita-fekonja-25a86878<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assist. Prof. Anita Fekonja will present a lecture at the congress entitled \u201eIs There a Link Between a Carcinogenesis and Odontogenesis?\u201c.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Joao Brandao<\/strong>, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Lisbon, Portugal<\/p>\n\t\t\t

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Dr. Jo\u00e3o Brand\u00e3o is an applied chemist\u2011biotechnologist specializing in medical and environmental microbiology. He works at the Department of Environmental Health at the Portuguese National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, where he leads research on sand contaminants, fungal pathogens in drinking and recreational waters, and microbial risks to public health. He heads the national mycology laboratory and serves as a member of several European expert groups (including EMEG and WHO guideline development teams). His scientific interests include environmental mycology, water and sand microbiota, and microbial adaptation to environmental stressors. Jo\u00e3o \u00c1lvaro Brand\u00e3o Soares de Carvalho (D01F-0243-A117) | CI\u00caNCIAVITAE<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Professor Brandao will present a lecture at the congress entitled \u201eWastewater Surveillance and Regulation \u2013 The New Urban Wastewater Directive Is Out with Fungi Not In\u201c.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Giuseppe Vizzieli<\/strong>, University of Udine, Italy<\/p>\n\t\t\t

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Prof. Giuseppe Vizzielli is an Associate Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the University of Udine and a specialist in gynecologic oncology. His clinical and research expertise spans ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancers, with extensive experience in laparoscopic, robotic, and radical pelvic surgery. He has authored more than 100 peer\u2011reviewed publications and participates as Principal and Co\u2011Investigator in international phase I\u2013III clinical trials in gynecologic oncology. Prof. Vizzielli is an active member of several major European professional societies and contributes to standardized national and international surgical training programs. \u202aGiuseppe Vizzielli – \u202aGoogle Scholar<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Professor Vizzieli will present a lecture at the congress entitled \u201eFrom Research to Clinical Practice: A Holistic Vision of Innovation in Gynecological Oncology\u201c.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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WORKSHOPS<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t

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Sven Mari\u010di\u0107, Faculty of Medicine, Rijeka, Croatia<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t

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Assoc. Prof.\u00a0Sven Mari\u010di\u0107, PhD, specializes in additive technologies, robotics, and AI, focusing primarily on biomedical applications and 3D biomodeling. As one of the European pioneers in biomedical 3D printing, he spearheaded the projects responsible for the first clinical applications of 3D-printed reconstructions and implants in Croatia.

Currently, he serves as a professor at the Juraj Dobrila University of Pula and the University of Rijeka, and holds a visiting professorship in Austria. He is the Head of the Robotics and AI Laboratory as well as the Center for Biomodeling and Innovation in Medicine.

His research and innovation work have earned prestigious awards, including the National Science Award, the European Commission’s European Innovative Teaching Award, and numerous international medals for innovation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At our congress, Prof. Mari\u010di\u0107 will lead a workshop titled \u201eVirtual 3D Model Simulation for Biomedical Applications\u201c<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Marko \u0160estan, Faculty of Medicine, Rijeka, Croatia<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t

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Marko \u0160estan is an assistant professor at the Department of Histology and Embryology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka. He teaches in the graduate and postgraduate programs of the Faculty of Medicine in Rijeka, the Faculty of Dental Medicine in Rijeka, and the Faculty of Biotechnology at the University of Rijeka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout his scientific career, he has published numerous papers in leading scientific journals in the field of immunology, including a notable publication in\u00a0Science<\/em>. He has served as the principal investigator on both national and international research projects, including ERC and EMBO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is a recipient of the National Science Award, the University of Rijeka Award, and the prestigious EMBO postdoctoral fellowship, which he completed at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown in Lisbon, Portugal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At our congress, Assist. Prof. \u0160estan \u00a0will lead a workshop titled \u201eChaos, Curiosity, and Questionable Decisions: A Lab Memoir.\u201c<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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IMPORTANT DATES<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t

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