Marta Kolarić

EDUCATION

College / University

University of Rijeka

Highest Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Subjects

Biotechnology and drug research

Country

Croatia

Lab Experience

Immunofluorescence, microscopy (light, fluorescence), DNA isolation, polymerase chain reaction, agarose gel electrophoresis, ELISA

Projects / Research

2022 – 2023: Bachelor Thesis: “Analysis of potential neuroinflammatory pathology in the spinal cords of mice with optineurin insufficiency” - Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Rijeka, Croatia
2021: Internship: “Understanding the (eco)toxicological role of selected SLC uptake and MATE efflux transporters in zebrafish using functional genomics tools” - Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Molecular Toxicology Unit, Zagreb, Croatia

Scholarships / Awards

2023 – 2024:	Stipend by the International Max Planck Research School
2022 – 2023:	Scholarship for Excellence - awarded by the University of Rijeka for the best 110 students
2021 – 2022:	State scholarships for students in STEM academic disciplines - awarded by the Croatian Government, Ministry of education

SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS AND GOALS

Immunology, neuroscience, and oncology are my main interests. In particular, the role of the immune system in disease, and how its manipulation could affect disease progression. Since antibodies and immune system cells have many applications in medicine, I would like to study how they can be optimized for use in cancer and neurodegenerative disease treatment. Regarding neurodegeneration, it is unclear for many diseases whether neuroinflammation is a consequence or a cause of neurodegeneration. Intrigued by this, I conducted research by analyzing neuroinflammatory mechanisms involved in ALS disease onset. As I am very passionate about science, at the Molecular Biology Master program I aim to expand my knowledge in similar fields, but also acquire new skills and understand other pieces of the molecular biology puzzle.