Dijana Jelic

Dijana Jelic serves as Full Professor and Head of the Department of Physical Chemistry at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Banja Luka. With a Doctor of Physical Chemistry from the University of Belgrade (2012), she has held academic positions since 2001, progressing from Assistant to Full Professor while leading her department since 2014. Her work bridges pharmaceutical sciences and materials chemistry through international collaborations with Serbia, the USA, and Japan.

Her educational background includes:

• Doctor of Physical Chemistry (2012), University of Belgrade
• Master of Physical Chemistry (2007), University of Belgrade
• Graduated in Physical Chemistry (2000), University of Belgrade

Jelic's research centers on drug stability mechanisms, polymer-based delivery systems, and nanomaterial applications for enhancing solubility and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. She employs advanced thermal analysis (TG-DTG-DTA), spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR, MALDI-MS), and kinetic modeling to investigate degradation pathways in pharmaceutical formulations. Her recent focus includes vitamin D3 stabilization, metal-organic composites, and environmentally responsive drug carriers.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals dominant themes in pharmaceutical materials science, with 73% addressing drug stability mechanisms and 60% utilizing thermal analysis techniques. Her work shows increasing international collaboration, particularly in nanocomposite development for bioactive molecule delivery and environmental remediation applications.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Matsumae Foundation Fellow (2023) for research at Japan's National Institute for Materials Science
• Fulbright Visiting Scholar award (2018/2019) for postdoctoral work at the University of Alabama

Jelic coordinates major national projects including cholecalciferol encapsulation and pyrophyllite nanocomposites, while participating in COST EU initiatives CM18202 and CM1402. She mentors students through hands-on research in heavy metal analysis, nanoparticle synthesis, and drug formulation projects, emphasizing translational applications from laboratory to clinical practice.

As Department Head, she leads collaborative research with Belgrade's Faculty of Physical Chemistry, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, focusing on interdisciplinary approaches to pharmaceutical challenges. Her team maintains active partnerships with institutions in Tsukuba, Birmingham, and Novi Sad for developing advanced drug delivery systems and analytical methodologies.