Aleksandra Šmitran

Prof. Dr. Aleksandra Šmitran is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, specializing in Microbiology and Immunology. Her research focuses on bacterial biofilms, antimicrobial resistance, and nanotechnology applications in medicine. She has contributed to understanding pathogenic bacteria such as Acinetobacter baumannii, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes, particularly their virulence factors and resistance mechanisms. Her work spans clinical, veterinary, and environmental microbiology, with a strong emphasis on translational research involving nanomaterials for antimicrobial development. Dr. Šmitran has authored/co-authored numerous peer-reviewed articles, conference proceedings, and books, including Microbial Biofilms: Importance and Applications. She leads and participates in national and EU-funded projects on nanotechnology, microbial pathogenesis, and public health. Her contributions bridge microbiology with clinical and environmental health challenges, addressing issues like drug resistance and One Health initiatives.

Education and Background: Dr. Šmitran’s academic career is rooted in medical microbiology, with expertise in bacterial pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms. Her training and research activities align with the Faculty of Medicine’s mission to advance biomedical sciences.

Research Interests: Dr. Šmitran’s work spans

• Antimicrobial resistance mechanisms in pathogenic bacteria
• Role of biofilms in infection persistence and treatment failure
• Development of nanomaterial-based antimicrobial agents
• Zoonotic infections and One Health approaches
• Molecular epidemiology of bacterial pathogens

Grants and Projects: She leads or participates in projects such as the EU-funded 'ERA TALENT Platform' and 'Pilot EURAKSES Center,' focusing on researcher career development and antimicrobial nanocomposites. Her work also includes studying pyrophyllite-based nanocomposites for drug delivery.

Labs/Teams: Dr. Šmitran collaborates with interdisciplinary teams at the Faculty of Medicine and other institutions, including projects on biofilm inhibition, drug delivery systems, and pathogen surveillance in clinical and environmental settings.