Lorena Perić

Lorena Perić is a Senior Research Associate at the Ruđer Bošković Institute in Zagreb, Croatia, working within the Division for Marine and Environmental Research and the Laboratory for Aquaculture and Pathology of Aquatic Organisms. Her research focuses on marine biology, environmental science, and the impacts of pollutants on aquatic organisms, particularly bivalves and other marine species.

Education:

• PhD in Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb (2008)

Lorena Perić's research spans marine biology, environmental toxicology, and aquaculture science. She investigates the effects of environmental stressors, pollutants, and nanoparticles on marine organisms, with particular focus on biomarker responses in bivalves like mussels and oysters. Her work examines how commercial bivalve species respond to variations in environmental conditions, anthropogenic pressure, and emerging contaminants like nanoparticles. She also studies microbial communities in aquaculture environments, particularly Vibrio bacteria and their antibiotic resistance patterns.

Analysis of her publication record shows a strong focus on environmental stressors affecting marine organisms, with particular emphasis on biomarker responses in bivalves. Her research has evolved from studying traditional pollutants like heavy metals to investigating emerging contaminants such as nanoparticles. There's a clear trajectory toward understanding the complex interactions between multiple stressors in marine environments and their cumulative impacts on commercially important species.

Scientific Projects:

• Principal Investigator: "Sensitivity of commercially important bivalves from eastern Adriatic aquaculture to variations in environmental conditions (BEST ADRIA)" (Croatian Science Foundation, 2020-2023)
• Team Member: "Understanding the physico-chemical behaviour and toxicity of silver, copper and plastic NANOparticles as Emerging Materials of Concern in coastal waters (NANO-EMC2)" (Croatian Science Foundation, 2018-2022)
• Management Committee Member: EU COST ACTION CA16203 "Stem cells of marine/aquatic invertebrates: from basic research to innovative applications (MARISTEM)" (2017-2021)

Dr. Perić has mentored several students, including Luka Žilić (2014) on metallothionein induction in shellfish digestive glands and Luka Ribarić (2013) on commercial shellfish species' sensitivity to pesticides in seawater. Her research has been supported by multiple Croatian Science Foundation grants and international collaborations, focusing on environmental monitoring, aquaculture sustainability, and the impacts of emerging contaminants on marine ecosystems.

She works within the Laboratory for Aquaculture and Pathology of Aquatic Organisms at the Ruđer Bošković Institute, collaborating with researchers across Croatia and internationally. Her team investigates various aspects of marine environmental health, from molecular biomarkers to ecosystem-level impacts, with applications for sustainable aquaculture practices and marine conservation.