Marija Paunović, a member of the Group for Nutritional Biochemistry and Dietology at the Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, successfully defended her doctoral dissertation titled “Testing the Effects of Commercial Cold Pressed Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas) and Black Currant (Ribes nigrum) Juices on Prevention of Metabolic Syndrome Development in Wistar Rats” on November 15, 2024, at the Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade.
Her dissertation was conducted within the framework of the Center of Research Excellence for Nutrition and Metabolism at the Institute for Medical Research, under the mentorship of Dr. Snježana Petrović, Scientific Advisor at the Institute for Medical Research, and Dr. Iva Lakić, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Biology.
The evaluation committee, consisting of Dr. Nebojša Jasnić, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Biology, and Dr. Vesna Vučić and Dr. Aleksandra Arsić, both Scientific Advisors at the Institute for Medical Research, awarded Marija’s work the highest grade, granting her the title of Doctor of Biological Sciences.
Research Focus
Marija’s research highlights the significant role of polyphenol-rich juice supplementation in preventing metabolic syndrome. Her findings confirmed that increasing the intake of these bioactive compounds offers “an innovative approach to preventing and managing various symptoms triggered by long-term unbalanced diets, which can substantially reduce risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes,” as Dr. Paunović explained.
The Center of Research Excellence for Nutrition and Metabolism at the Institute for Medical Research is dedicated to fundamental and translational research that unravels the biological mechanisms behind disease development and the effects of nutrition on these processes. By applying scientific discoveries to medicine, industry, the public sector, and daily life, the Center bridges the gap between research and practical solutions.
