Dr. Marija Gnjatović

Marija Gnjatović, PhD was born on July 19, 1983, and currently serves as the State Secretary at the Ministry of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia.

With a rich background in immunology, parasitology, and diagnostic test development, Dr. Gnjatović has built a distinguished career both as a scientist and as a leader in science policy.

She graduated in 2009 from the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy at the University of Belgrade, defending her thesis on the removal of cadmium ions from aqueous solutions using oxidized carbon nanotubes. She earned her PhD in 2018 from the same faculty, with a dissertation titled, “Application of Monoclonal Antibody 7C2C5 in the Development of ELISA Tests for Detecting Trichinella spp. Infection and Isolation of Parasite Components Carrying Immunodominant Epitopes.”

Since 2011, she has worked at the Institute for Nuclear Energy Utilization (INEP) in Belgrade, where she held the position of Scientific Associate in the Department of Immunology and Immunoparasitology. Her scientific work focused on the characterization of Trichinella spiralis antigens and their immunomodulatory properties, with potential therapeutic applications. She played a key role in the development of diagnostic tools such as ELISA, IFA, and rapid tests – not only for parasitic infections but also for detecting antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before joining INEP, she worked at Bioeco Technologies Ltd. from 2009 to 2011, contributing to the development of methods for isolating hemoglobin from bovine erythrocytes.

Dr. Gnjatović led and participated in numerous nationally and internationally funded research and innovation projects. Notable among them is her leadership in the 2020 Serbian Government-backed project for developing ELISA tests to detect antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. For this critical work, she was awarded a Gold Medal for Contribution to the Fight Against COVID-19, presented on Armistice Day.

She also co-led and participated in several high-impact projects funded by organizations such as UNDP, USAID, and WHO, which included developing sustainable serological testing platforms, external validation of diagnostics, and establishing a COVID-19 biobank. Her expertise was instrumental in the validation and registration of several ELISA test kits in Serbia, officially recognized by the Republic Health Insurance Fund (RFZO) for COVID certification.

A strong advocate for knowledge transfer, Dr. Gnjatović mentored and co-mentored graduate and doctoral students, particularly in the development of Western blot and nanomaterial-based immunoassays for COVID-19 diagnostics.

Her innovative work with the UNITRIH team on a universal ELISA test for Trichinella spp. earned her the award for Best Technological Innovation in Serbia in 2019.

Dr. Gnjatović has engaged in multiple international collaborations and training, including research stays at the Istituto Superiore di Sanità in Rome and a FEBS summer school in Sofia, Bulgaria.

She has contributed to several European COST Actions on topics ranging from foodborne parasites to cell-based immune therapies.In parallel with her scientific activities, Dr. Gnjatović has played a significant role in shaping innovation policy in Serbia. Since April 2021, she has been a member of the Governing Board of the Innovation Fund and has contributed to the institutional transformation within the SAGE project, which aims to accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship.

Her work has been widely disseminated, not only in peer-reviewed journals but also through extensive public engagement, including over 100 media appearances.

She is a member of several professional societies, including the Biochemical Society of Serbia, the Serbian Parasitology Society, and the Serbian Chemical Society.

Dr. Gnjatović has an extensive record of scientific publications in international journals, with works focusing on immunology, virology, parasitology, and biochemistry. She is also a co-author of a technical innovation in functional dairy products, which has been approved and implemented by industry partners in the region.

With her broad experience in research, diagnostics, innovation management, and public health response, Dr. Marija Gnjatović continues to be a key figure in advancing science and innovation in Serbia and beyond.