Ljubica Matic  

MSc, PhD, Assoc Prof, Principal Researcher, Group Leader 

I have a MSc in Molecular Biology from Belgrade University, Serbia and a PhD in Medical Biochemistry from Karolinska Institute, Sweden. In 2021 I became Associate Professor in Molecular Medicine at the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institute, where I lead a research group that focuses on identification and characterisation of novel therapeutic and diagnostic targets for management of vascular disease, in particular atherosclerosis. As a molecular biologist, I am devoted to translational research in vascular disease related to the mechanisms of smooth muscle cell trans-differentiations. I also have previous experience in pathophysiology of end-stage renal disease and glomerular podocytes.  

Since 2013 I serve as one of the PIs for the Biobank of Karolinska Endarterectomies (BiKE, est 2002) and have coordinated several large EU projects and partnerships with Pharma Industry. As expert reviewer I work for the Danish Cardiovascular Academy, UK National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research, Polish National Research Council, Austrian National Science Fund, Swiss National Science Foundation and the Dutch Innovation Research Incentives Scheme, KI Doctoral grants committee, as well as numerous scientific journals (e.g. Nature Cardiovasc Res, ACS Nano, JACC, Am J Human Genetics, FASEB, J Internal Medicine, ATVB, Cardiovasc Res, Atherosclerosis, Vascular Pharmacology, Mol Therapy).  

Over the years, my research has been distinguished by numerous grants e.g. from Swedish Research Council, KI Consolidator, Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation, Swedish Society for Medical Research, etc. and awards such as Daniel Steinberg Early Career Investigator Award, Sven and Ebba Hagberg Award, American Heart Association Young Investigator Award, etc.   

With respect to teaching, I develop and organise KI courses on PhD level (Vascular Cell Biology) and MSc level for the KI Biomedicine Program, elective track in Circulation, Metabolism and Endocrinology.  

In my free time I like relaxing walks in the nature with my dog, reading, cooking, travelling and fashion.  

Contact:  

Email: Ljubica.Matic@ki.se  

ORCID: 0000-0002-7294-9667 

Twitter: @ki_vasc