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Nanomedicine, Nanotoxicology, and Safety Assessment of Advanced Materials

Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Division of toxicology

Ivana Vinković Vrček is a distinguished academic and researcher with extensive expertise in pharmaceutical sciences, toxicology, and nanomedicine. She is affiliated with the Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health in Zagreb, Croatia, where she contributes to advancing interdisciplinary research at the interface of chemistry, biology, and public health. Her work focuses on the safety, efficacy, and biological interactions of nanomaterials, with particular emphasis on their applications in medicine and potential impacts on human health. She has a strong track record of publications in high-impact scientific journals and actively collaborates on international research initiatives. In addition to her research, she is engaged in mentoring students and contributing to scientific capacity building. Her work supports the development of safer therapeutic technologies and evidence-based regulatory frameworks in emerging biomedical fields.

Main Areas of Interest

Nanotoxicology & Nanomaterial Safety
Nanomaterial Characterization & Safety Foundations
Experimental Safety & Pharmacological Techniques
GLP, Quality Assurance & Applied Research

Specialties

Pharmacology

Techniques You Will Learn

Laboratory & GLP Techniques: Laboratory safety procedures, Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) compliance, ethical research conduct, SOP development, and quality assurance processes.

Nanomaterial Handling & Characterization: Preparation, dispersion, and analysis of physicochemical properties such as size, surface charge, morphology, and aggregation behavior.

In Vitro Toxicology Assays: Cell viability and metabolic activity assays, along with evaluation of oxidative stress, inflammatory, and genotoxicity markers.

New Approach Methodologies (NAMs): Application of alternative in vitro models, mechanism-based assays, and high-throughput screening techniques for risk assessment.

Experimental Design, Data Analysis & Regulatory Interpretation: Designing safety studies, maintaining quality-controlled documentation, analyzing results, and translating findings within regulatory frameworks.

Curriculum

1) Orientation & Overview (duration: 2 weeks)
Introduction to the research unit, laboratory safety procedures, GLP standards, and ethical considerations in toxicology and regulatory science.
Overview of nanotoxicology, pharmacology, and regulatory science frameworks.
Introduction to public health implications of chemical, biological, and advanced material safety assessment.
Discussion of global regulatory landscapes and the role of scientific evidence in policy development.

2) Nanomaterial Characterization & Safety Foundations (duration: 2 weeks)
Introduction to physicochemical properties of nanomaterials (size, surface charge, morphology, aggregation behavior).
Mechanisms of nano–bio interactions and toxicological pathways.
Hands-on exposure to nanomaterial preparation and dispersion techniques.
Case discussions on safety challenges of advanced materials in biomedical and industrial applications.

3) Experimental Safety & Pharmacological Techniques
3a. New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) (duration: 6 weeks)
Introduction to alternative testing strategies and next-generation risk assessment approaches.
Practical exposure to in vitro toxicity models and mechanism-based assays.
High-throughput and screening-based safety assessment principles.
Interpretation of NAMs data within regulatory contexts.

3b. In Vitro Toxicology & Hazard Assessment (duration: 6 weeks)
Training in cytotoxicity assays (e.g., cell viability and metabolic activity assays).
Assessment of oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, and genotoxic endpoints.
Experimental design for evaluating chemical and biological hazards.
Data recording and quality-controlled laboratory documentation.

4) GLP & Quality Assurance (duration: 6 weeks)
Principles of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) compliance.
Documentation standards, SOP development, and validation protocols.
Quality control systems in regulatory-grade testing laboratories.
Mock audit exercise and compliance review.

5) Applied Research Project (duration: 12 weeks)
Small-group project focused on safety evaluation of a selected nanomaterial or compound.
Design of experimental plan incorporating NAMs and GLP principles.
Data analysis and regulatory interpretation of findings.

6) Seminars & Interdisciplinary Learning (duration: 6 weeks)
Participation in interdisciplinary seminars with toxicologists, pharmacologists, and regulatory experts.
Journal club discussions on emerging trends in nanotoxicology and regulatory science.

7) Mentorship & Final Presentation (duration: 2 weeks)
Mentor-led feedback sessions on skill acquisition and research progress.
Final presentation of group project with regulatory and scientific justification.
Reflective discussion and certificate of completion.

Program duration: 6-Week Visiting Fellowship is the default program structure

Optional extension: Up to 12 weeks
Occasional short visit: 2 weeks (by arrangement)

Accommodation

Try airbnb.com

Fees and Program Logistics

This program has the following durations available:

Duration	Fee
4 weeks	$1,199.00
6 weeks	$1,599.00

Who Can Apply

Open to students, researchers, and early-career professionals from relevant academic or professional backgrounds.

Host Details

Host Name: Titular Prof. Dr. Ivana Vinković Vrček

Affiliation: Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Division of toxicology

Address: Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Division of toxicology, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia

Website URL:

Disclaimer:It is mandatory that all applicants carry workplace liability insurance, e.g., https://www.protrip-world-liability.com (Erasmus students use this package and typically costs around 5 € per month - please check) in addition to health insurance when you join any of the onsite Trialect partnered fellowships.

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