Aleksandar Pavić

Dr. Aleksandar Pavić is a Full Research Professor at the Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering (IMGGE), University of Belgrade, Serbia. His work aims to uncover the biological mechanisms governing Candida albicans virulence across different niches of the human body and to define how environmental conditions shape fungal pathogenicity and drug susceptibility. He also seeks to understand the role of Candida species in chronic respiratory infections, particularly in patients with cystic fibrosis, asthma, and COPD. He completed postdoctoral training at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, UK (2016), focusing on the application of zebrafish models in biomedical research, and was a Fulbright Scholar (2025) at the College of Pharmacy, University of Utah (USA), where he worked on the development of a humanized zebrafish model to study host-pathogen interactions. Using zebrafish infection models as an in vivo platform, he aims to develop next-generation antifungal strategies, limit resistance development, and improve therapeutic efficacy against fungal infections.

Tentative Title:

Redefining the role of Candida albicans in cystic fibrosis lung disease

Pillar Topic/Subtopic:

PILLAR 1: FRONTIERS HEALTH & CLINICAL INNOVATIONS

TOPIC 1.4: Microbiome Breakthrough

1.4c: Host-Pathogen Interactions and Microbial Pathogenesis in Human and Animal Systems