Department of Biology School of Medicine University of Zagreb - Croatia
EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS
Nives Pecina-Slaus embarked on her academic journey at the University of Zagreb, where she earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Biology in 1990 and 1992, respectively. Her scholarly pursuits culminated in a Ph.D. in the field of molecular oncology from the Medical School at the University of Zagreb in 1998. During her education, she underwent training at prestigious institutions including the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York and Georgetown University in Washington DC, USA.
Pecina-Slaus's professional career is distinguished by her role as a tenured professor at the Department of Biology and Head of the Laboratory of Neuro-oncology at the Croatian Institute for Brain Research within the School of Medicine at the University of Zagreb. She has served as the principal investigator on seven scientific projects, demonstrating her leadership in the field. Moreover, her research has yielded significant contributions, with over 100 publications to her credit, including scientific papers, book chapters, and a book. Her primary research interests encompass cancer genetics, the Wnt signaling pathway, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, brain tumorigenesis, tumor suppressor genes, and oncogenes.
CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS ON CANCER GENETICS
Pecina-Slaus's work has contributed extensively to our understanding of neuro-oncology and related fields. Her research has shed light on crucial mechanisms underlying cancer development and progression, particularly in the context of brain tumors. Through her numerous publications, she has disseminated valuable insights into cancer genetics, signaling pathways, and tumor microenvironment dynamics. Her expertise extends to mentorship, where she has guided numerous students in their theses.
IMPACT AND INFLUENCE
Pecina-Slaus's contributions have garnered widespread recognition in the scientific community, as evidenced by her invitations to speak at 25 meetings. Furthermore, her work has had a substantial impact on the academic community, as reflected in her impressive citation metrics. With over 2600 citations on Google Scholar and notable indices on Scopus and Web of Science, she has established herself as a respected authority in her field.
ACADEMIC LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS
Pecina-Slaus's legacy is marked by her prolific research output, mentorship of students, and editorial roles in esteemed scientific journals. Her dedication to advancing knowledge in neuro-oncology and related disciplines has earned her numerous awards and accolades, including recognition from the Croatian Medical Association and the Academy of Medical Sciences. Moving forward, she is poised to continue making significant contributions to the field through her research, teaching, and editorial activities, further solidifying her position as a leader in neuro-oncology research.