My passion has always been science and health. My late husband shared that passion, as a member of the Serbian Green Party and a nature enthusiast. My three children have inherited our passions, going on to be a Theology Professor at Notre Dame University, a Robotics engineer, and a Doctoral student of Marine Biology.
I am a molecular biologist with a PhD in the Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, and Roswell Park Memorial Institute in Buffalo, USA. I have two postdoctoral studies; Molecular Biology/Cytology, University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada and Molecular Biology/Immunology, McMaster University in Ontario, Canada. I have worked as an assistant professor of molecular pharmacology at McGill University in Montreal, Canada and at Wayne State University in Detroit, USA.
I have always been interested in natural plant molecules and their effects on cell functions, especially under stress and stress-related mechanisms. While in a senior advisor position at the Institute of Medical Research at the University of Belgrade, I grew a small department of nutrition research into the only centre of research excellence in nutrition and metabolism. Through my extensive research into food and nutrition, I have published hundreds of peer-reviewed manuscripts, scientific reports, reviews, and book chapters.
Working alongside my husband, I began researching the effects of Aronia berries, which have the highest number of antioxidants and polyphenols of any fruit in nature. We worked on a ten-year long collaboration and multiple peer-reviewed studies demonstrating the cardioprotective, anti-diabetic, performance-enhancing, and antioxidant effects of polyphenol consumption.
My husband is now my inspiration, and my goal is to spread his love and message with Vana. We want the world to experience the health benefits of the Vana formula.
