Davorka Breljak

Rijeka, 14 May 1968

• 2003 PhD degree in Natural Science (field of Biology), Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia. PhD thesis: ”Regulation of the expression of aminopeptidase N (EC 3.4.11.2; APN, CD13) in the HL-60 cell line”, supervised by dr. Jelka Gabrilovac, PhD
• 1997 M.Sc. degree in Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia. Master thesis: ”Effect of oligopeptide fragments of the enkephalin molecule and inhibitors of their degradation on bone marrow cells”, supervised by prof. Milivoj Boranic, MD, PhD
• 1995–1997 Postgraduate Study of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia 1993 BSc degree in Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia. Graduation thesis: ”Ovisnost učinka Met-enkefalina o dnevnom ritmu diobene aktivnosti stanica mišje koštane srži”, supervised by prof. Milivoj Boranic, MD, PhD
• 1988–1993 Graduate Study of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia
• 1983–1987 High school ‘’Mirko Lenac’’, Rijeka, Croatia
• 1975–1983 Elementary School ‘’Dr. Branimir Markovic’’, Ravna Gora, Croatia

• 2025 –> Scientific Adviser with Tenure, Division of Toxicology, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb
• 2020–2025 Scientific Adviser – Reappointment, Division of Toxicology/Molecular Toxicology Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb
• 2015–2020 Scientific Adviser, Molecular Toxicology Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb
• 2010–2015 Senior scientific Associate, Molecular Toxicology Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb
• 2005–2010 Scientific Associate, Molecular Toxicology Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb
• 2003–2005 Senior Research Assistant, Laboratory for Experimental Hematology, Immunology and Oncology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb
• 1997–2003 Research Assistant, Laboratory for Experimental Hematology, Immunology and Oncology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb
• 1994–1997 Scientific novice, Laboratory for Experimental Hematology, Immunology and Oncology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb

• Experimental physiology and toxicology of membrane transporters – investigation of localization and expression regulation (mRNA and protein) of specific membrane transporters for various endogenous and exogenous compounds located in epithelial cells of many organs (kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract and etc.) in humans and experimental animals (mice and rats).

• 2023 Annual award for the scientific article with the highest number of citations until the end of 2022 according to Web of Science; awarded by Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb
• 2018 APSselect for distinction in scholarship in the American Journal of Phisiology – Renal Physiology; awarded by The American Physiological Society, USA
• 2017  Annual award for the scientific article with the highest number of citations until the end of 2016 according to Web of Science or Scopus; awarded by Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb
• 2017 Annual award for the scientific article published in the highest-ranked journal according to Journal Citation Report & Web of Knowledge; awarded by Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb
• 2009 Annual award for the scientific article published in the highest-ranked journal according to Science Edition &Social Science Edition JCR; awarded by Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb

• The Croatian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

PARTICIPATION ON RESEARCH PROJECTS

• 2024–2027 WP4 Coordinator on the national scientific project “Assessment of efficacy and toxicity of biologically active substances” (funded by the Next Generation EU, Grant No. 533-03-23-0006-BioMolTox)
• 2023–2026 Research Associate on the international scientific project “Evidence Driven Indoor Air Quality Improvement” (funded by EU research and innovation Programme – Horizon 2020, Grant No. 101057497-EDIAQI)
• 2016–2021 Research Associate on the national scientific project “Adverse effects of single and combined mycotoxins produced by Aspergilli” (funded by the Croatian Science
  Foundation, CFS Grant No. IP-09-2014-5982-MycotoxA)
• 2015–2019 Principal Investigator on the national scientific project “Age-related expression of membrane transporters in rat” (funded by the Croatian Science Foundation, CFS Grant No. IP-11-2013-1481-AGEMETAR)
• 2014–2015 Research Associate on the national scientific project “Age-related expression of membrane transporters in rat” (funded by the Croatian Science Foundation, CFS Grant No. IP-11-2013-1481-AGEMETAR)
• 2007–2013 Research Associate on the national scientific project “Mammalian renal transporters; gender differences and effects of toxic metals” (funded by the Croatian Science and Technology, MST Grant No. 0222148-2146)
• 2005–2006 Research Associate on the national scientific project “Mechanisms of heavy metal toxicity in kidney and reproductive tract” (funded by the Croatian Ministry of Science and Technology, MST Grant No. 0022011)
• 2002–2005 Research Associate on the national scientific project “Regulation of ectopeptidases expression and opioid receptors expression” (funded by the Croatian Ministry of Science and Technology, MST Grant No. 0098094)
• 1996–2002 Research Associate on the national scientific project “Opioid peptides and hematopoiesis” (funded by the Croatian Ministry of Science and Technology, MST Grant No. 00981106)
• 1991–1993 Research Associate on the national scientific project “Opioidergic and serotoninergic control of hematopoiesis and immunity” (funded by the Croatian Ministry of Science and Technology, MST Grant No. 3-01-142)

MENTORSHIPS

• 2023 Doctoral thesis: V. Micek “Individual and combined effects of mycotoxins (ochratoxin A and citrinin) and resveratrol antioxidant on the expression of organic anion
  transporters in rat kidneys“, Biotechnology for the Life Sciences, University of Rijeka; Mentor: D. Breljak
• 2016 Doctoral thesis: D. Karaica “Effect of sex hormones on the expression of chloride/formate exchanger (Cfex, Slc26a6) in rat organs“, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb; Mentor: D. Breljak
• 2015 Doctoral thesis: I. Vrhovac “Expression of sodium-glucose cotransporter Sglt1 (Slc5a1) in murine organs“, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb; Mentor: D. Breljak
• 2009 Graduation thesis: A. Miletić “Organic anion transporter Oat3 in the liver of prepubertal rats“, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb; Mentor: D. Breljak

PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENTS

• 2016 –> Deputy President of the Scientific Council, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb
• 2016 – 2023 Head of Molecular Toxicology Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb