Jasminka Štefulj

Jasminka Štefulj is a Professor and Head of the Laboratory for Neurochemistry and Molecular Neurobiology at the Ruđer Bošković Institute (Zagreb, Croatia). With a PhD in Biology from the University of Zagreb, she leads research on serotonin (epi)genetics and its role in complex diseases, particularly maternal-fetal interactions, obesity, and neurodevelopmental disorders.

• Education: BSc (1997), MSc (2000), PhD (2005) from University of Zagreb; Postdoc at Medical University of Graz (2006-2008)
• Key Projects: Croatian Science Foundation grants on maternal metabolic-serotonin interactions (2018-2022), Catholic University collaborations (2016-2018), international mobility grants (Austria, Germany, Japan)

Research Themes: Focus on

• Serotonin signaling in placental development and neonatal outcomes
• Epigenetic mechanisms linking maternal metabolic states to fetal gene regulation
• Genetic models of serotonin homeostasis in obesity and psychiatric conditions
• Neurochemical pathways in Alzheimer's disease and lipid metabolism

Scientific Contributions include 15+ recent publications on DNA methylation, placental gene expression, and metabolic-serotonin interactions. Awards: Visiting Scientists Program (Austria), Austrian Government Fellowship, Rector's Award (Zagreb). She mentors graduate students and leads international collaborations while teaching at the University of Zagreb School of Medicine and Catholic University of Croatia.