Vanja Duric

Vanja Duric, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at Des Moines University, holding additional roles as Professor in the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Program, Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Program, and Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences Program. Her expertise spans chronic pain, chronic stress, molecular biology, mood disorders, neuropharmacology, and neuroscience.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Pharmacology, University of Kansas Medical Center (2000–2005)
• Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neurophysiology, University of Kansas Medical Center (2006)
• Postdoctoral Fellowship in Molecular Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine (2007–2012)
• B.A. in Biochemistry and Chemistry, Gustavus Adolphus College (2000)

Research Focus: Dr. Duric investigates neural mechanisms underlying depression comorbidities with neurological and physical illnesses using biochemical, pharmacological, and behavioral approaches. Her work explores how chronic pain and stress contribute to mood disorders, leveraging preclinical models and genetic analyses of human brain tissue.

Awards: None explicitly listed.

Advising & Grants: No specific advising records or grant details provided. Current research is supported through institutional and programmatic affiliations.

Labs/Teams: Conducts research within Des Moines University’s Physiology and Pharmacology department, focusing on translational studies linking neurobiology to clinical outcomes in psychiatric and neurological conditions.