Božidar KurtovićView profile
Researcher
Božidar Kurtović serves as a Researcher at Croatia's Ruđer Bošković Institute within the Division for Marine and Environmental Research and Laboratory for Aquaculture and Pathology of Aquatic Organisms. His work bridges aquaculture science, environmental monitoring, and fish pathology with primary focus on Croatian freshwater systems and Adriatic Sea aquaculture sites, utilizing histological, microbiological, and molecular diagnostic approaches. His educational foundation includes a Master's degree (2003) from the University of Zagreb's Faculty of Science, demonstrated by his thesis "Comparison of histological picture of liver, spleen and kidney of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) in cultured and natural population" . This early work established his research trajectory in comparative fish health assessment between wild and aquaculture environments. Kurtović's research program centers on fish-pathogen-environment interactions, particularly examining how water quality parameters influence bacterial infections (Vibrio, Aeromonas), parasitic loads (Anisakidae), and histopathological changes in economically important species like sea bass, sea bream, and freshwater cyprinids. His methodology integrates traditional histology with modern molecular techniques including RT-PCR for pathogen detection and DNA sequencing for parasite characterization. Recent work expands into climate change impacts on aquaculture pathogens and Vibrio monitoring in Mediterranean waters. His 14 journal publications (2001-2023) reveal consistent thematic focus on fish health diagnostics within Croatian aquatic ecosystems, with increasing sophistication in molecular methods over time. Key research threads include water quality-fish health correlations in the Sava River, pathogen surveillance in Adriatic aquaculture, and diagnostic protocol development for diseases like furunculosis and bacterial kidney disease. The work demonstrates strong institutional collaboration, particularly with colleagues Kapetanović, Vardić Smrzlić, and Teskeredžić across multiple projects. As a core member of the Laboratory for Aquaculture and Pathology of Aquatic Organisms, Kurtović contributes to Croatia's national monitoring programs for rivers (Sava, Krka, Kupa) and lakes (Vrana on Cres island), producing technical reports that inform fisheries management and environmental protection policies. His project involvement spans EU-funded initiatives like SARIB and national programs assessing water quality, fish health, and sustainable aquaculture practices in protected areas. The laboratory functions as Croatia's primary research hub for aquaculture pathology, conducting field sampling, diagnostic testing, and data analysis for government agencies and aquaculture operators. Kurtović's team maintains specialized capabilities in histopathology, molecular diagnostics, and microbiological analysis, supporting evidence-based decision-making for Croatia's growing aquaculture sector while addressing environmental challenges in sensitive coastal ecosystems.
