Biography

Having lived my entire life in a developing country, I’ve seen firsthand how inaccessible life-saving therapies can be—especially for diseases like cancer, where high recurrence rates make treatment not only costly but continuous. This reality shaped my commitment to advancing cancer therapies aimed at curing, not just managing.My interest in cancer biology deepened when I joined the R&D team at BiOptimizers as a Research Scientist, focusing on colorectal cancer and the gut microenvironment. While earning my degree in Genetics and Bioengineering at International Burch University, I became particularly interested in the molecular characteristics of stem cells and their role in cancer recurrence.At Cambridge, I will pursue an MPhil in Stem Cell Medicine during which I aim to explore how cancer stem cells contribute to colorectal cancer progression, focusing on their role in micrometastases—undetected cells that often drive relapse. My goal is to help develop long-term, targeted treatment strategies that reduce recurrence and improve outcomes.I am honoured to join the Gates Cambridge community as the second scholar from Bosnia and Herzegovina in the pursuit of more equitable global healthcare.

Previous Education

International Burch University Genetics and Bioengineering