Laboratory of Computational Biophysics, MedILS, Split

Dražen Petrov, PhD student (together with prof. dr. Davor

Juretic, PMF Split)

dr. Anton Polyansky, postdoc(PhD, Moscow State University, 2008)

Antonija Kuzmanić, PhD studentdr. Daniela Kruschel, postdoc

(PhD, University of Zurich, 2008)

Mario Hlevnjak, PhD student

ostali:

Stipe Tomaš, diploma student, FESB (graduated Sept. 2008)Marija Galić, diploma student, PMF Zagreb (soon to graduate)Elena Primorac, visiting scientist (March-October 2008)Tomek Wlodarski, FEBS summer student (summer 2008)Christian A. Mueller, graduate student (ETH Zuerich and MedILS) – collaboration with prof. dr. Ivo F. SbalzariniOmar Awile, graduate student (ETH Zuerich and MedILS) – collaboration with prof. dr. Ivo F. SbalzariniMijo Simunovic, summer student (summer 2009)Tibor Pakozdi, summer student (summer 2009)Pawel Janowski, summer student (summer 2009)Maria Janowska, summer student (summer 2009)

Laboratory of Computational Biophysics, MedILS, Split

Dražen Petrov, PhD student (together with prof. dr. Davor

Juretic, PMF Split)

dr. Anton Polyansky, postdoc(PhD, Moscow State University, 2008)

Antonija Kuzmanić, PhD studentdr. Daniela Kruschel, postdoc

(PhD, University of Zurich, 2008)

Mario Hlevnjak, PhD student

ostali:

Stipe Tomaš, diploma student, FESB (graduated Sept. 2008)Marija Galić, diploma student, PMF Zagreb (soon to graduate)Elena Primorac, visiting scientist (March-October 2008)Tomek Wlodarski, FEBS summer student (summer 2008)Christian A. Mueller, graduate student (ETH Zuerich and MedILS) – collaboration with prof. dr. Ivo F. SbalzariniOmar Awile, graduate student (ETH Zuerich and MedILS) – collaboration with prof. dr. Ivo F. SbalzariniMijo Simunovic, summer student (summer 2009)Tibor Pakozdi, summer student (summer 2009)Pawel Janowski, summer student (ljeto 2009)Maria Janowska, summer student (summer 2009) foreign nationals

• adequate funding opportunities as returnee (Croatian: UKF 1A, NZZ EMBO Installation grant, Foreign: FEBS, DAAD)• positive support from the academic and wider communities• successful recruitment of co-workers inside Croatia and abroad

=> established an active computational lab within 2 years

? • lack of a critical mass of experts in the specific scientific field in Croatia• lack of a critical mass of colleagues in a similar professional situation• uncertain academic future• progress hampered by organizational issues (see next page)• co-laterally suffered growing pains of the principal institution (MedILS)

Back in Croatia 2007-2009

Organizational / logistic / administrative hurdles

- lack of adequate core facilities for molecular biology (theory better)- export/import of chemicals, reagents, biological specimens - made difficult by the current laws- lack of adequate technical support for molecular biology

Organizational / logistic / administrative hurdles

- lack of adequate core facilities for molecular biology (theory better)- export/import of chemicals, reagents, biological specimens - made difficult by the current laws- lack of adequate technical support for molecular biology

- residence permits for foreign students and postdocs - slow processing, unclear rules, conflicting information- MZOS permit to stay - a welcome improvement- tax problems for foreigners

Organizational / logistic / administrative hurdles

- lack of adequate core facilities for molecular biology (theory better)- export/import of chemicals, reagents, biological specimens - made difficult by the current laws- lack of adequate technical support for molecular biology

- residence permits for foreign students and postdocs - slow processing, unclear rules, conflicting information- MZOS permit to stay - a welcome improvement- tax problems for foreigners

- health insurance issues for foreigners- adjusting to life in Croatia

- short-term visits - difficult to regulate traveling expenses for short-term visitors, difficult to pay foreign summer students

Overall, things are improving, but is it fast enough?

Suggestions

1. Targeted recruitment of relatively young, promising faculty in a small number of strategic areas - 50 group leader positions in natural sciences could turn the entire Croatian academic system around - no reform without reformers; need for a few high-profile senior recruits (“americanization of the system”)

2. Centralization of administrative activities - one-stop shop for the logistics of academic assimilation/visits + export/import issues

3. Continuation of programs like UKF or NZZ Installation grants

Grants submitted and outcome

??

Funding ID

• UKF 1A grant

• NZZ EMBO installation grant

• FEBS Summer Fellowship (Tomek Wlodarski, summer 2008)

• DAAD postdoctoral fellowship (dr. Daniela Kruschel)

• MedILS startup funds