Tell us about yourself.

I am MD, specialist in internal medicine and cardiologist at Cardiology Clinic, University Clinical Center of Serbia. I completed the specialistic academic studies in cardiology under the mentorship of Prof. B. Beleslin. Currently, I am finishing my Ph.D. research under the mentorship of Prof. Nedeljkovic at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia.

What are your research interests?

My research focus is into a secondary prevention in high-risk cardiovascular populations. Furthermore, I work on the prevention and regulation of arterial hypertension and arrhythmias in the athlete population. I evaluate cardiovascular, pulmonary, and muscular systems using cardiopulmonary tests in different patients’ groups, from healty athlete, type 2 diabetes mellitus patients to the patients planned for organ transplantation.

What are you working on right now?

Currently, I am working on my Ph.D. thesis with a research with subject of the early diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in de novo type 2 diabetes population through cardiopulmonary test. I am involved in research referring to patients with atrial fibrillation, heart failure, organ transplantation and COVID-19 infection.

What do you hope to achieve in the field of hypertension over the next 5 years?

My goal as a cardiologist is to promote and incorporate healthy lifestyle in general particularly among the population with known cardiovascular disease. Arterial hypertension is one of risk factors that can easily be controlled through constant patient education, adequate adherence to the proper treatment tailored individually. As a researcher I am looking forward to ISH collaboration in the field of hypertension.

What challenges have you faced in your career to date?

After completing my medical education, I volunteered for three years as a medical doctor before I got my first permanent job. During that time I had opportunities of broadening both my knowledge and skills in medical practice. During the present COVID-19 pandemic, I am involved in the treatment of COVID- 19 patients, with challenges in pursuing regular clinical and research activities. With the support of my colleagues, mentors, and family I am able to continue with all the fields so far. I am lucky to have such supportive people around me who always encourage me to keep going.

Which of your publications are you proudest of and why (please include paper reference)

In general, I have been proud of all my publications, but in particular of my first manuscript during the period of my specialist academic research entitled “Regulation of cardiovascular risk factors after percutaneous coronary intervention”. I presented my work to both domestic and international Congresses of European Society of Cardiology and ESC Prevention Congress. We reported that the risk factor regulation in high risk population could be altered using different methods of preventive interventions.

Ličina M, Potpara T, Polovina M, Ostojić MM, Milić N, Giga V, Beleslin B. Regulacija faktora rizika kod bolesnika sa ishemijskom bolesti lečenih perkutanom koronarnom intervencijom. Srce i krvni sudovi 2011; 30(4): 257-263.

Licina M, Potpara T, Polovina M, Ostojic MM. Predictors of smoking cessation after percutaneous coronary intervention. EuroPrevent 2012. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology ( May 2012 ) 19 ( Supplement 1 ), S38 (Abstract P281).

Licina M, Potpara T, Polovina M, Ostojic MM, Seferovic P, Ostojic MC. Does obesity paradox exist in controlling hypertension in poststenting population. ESC 2012. Eur Heart j 2012; 33 (Abstract Suppl): 620 (Abstract P3571).

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a great number of patients treated so far I would like to single out a recent manuscript showing previously healthy young athlete who after asymptomatic COVID-19 infection felt symptoms upon returning to training.

Nedeljkovic IP, Giga V, Ostojic M, Djordjevic-Dikic A, Stojmenovic T, Nikolic I, Dikic N, Nedeljkovic-Arsenovic O, Maksimovic R, Dobric M, Mujovic N, Beleslin B. Focal Myocarditis after Mild COVID-19 Infection in Athletes. Diagnostics. 2021; 11(8):1519. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics11081519.

What are your passions outside of work?

Being a mother of two kids I am actively involved in all school and kindergarten activities, and in addition to my regular work and research activities I still find passion in reading, traveling, and regular sports activities.