Dr Ivana — Damjanovic [top]

Public Health Expert, Epidemiologist, and Former State Secretary

Before her transition to academia, Dr. Damjanovic spent nearly a decade as a . This period included postings in Europe and Australia, where she gained firsthand experience in international relations and trade policy. Her practical background also includes a role as a trade advisor for the Delegation of the European Union to Australia , providing her with deep insights into the EU’s external trade and investment strategies. Research Focus and Major Contributions dr ivana damjanovic

Attendees often note that Dr. Damjanovic has a rare talent: she can explain complex cellular pathways to a room of general practitioners and then, in the next breath, inspire empathy in how to deliver bad news to a family. She often wears a lapel pin of the Rod of Asclepius —not the modern Caduceus—a subtle nod to her preference for pure healing over commercial medicine. Her practical background also includes a role as

. Her work is characterized by an interdisciplinary approach that bridges the gap between high-level diplomatic practice and rigorous legal scholarship. Professional Background and Academic Standing Dr Damjanovic currently serves as an Associate Professor of Law at the University of Canberra Visiting Research Fellow She often wears a lapel pin of the

Dr. Damjanović has also been outspoken about the challenges facing Croatia’s public healthcare system, including staff shortages, underfunding, and the emotional toll on medical workers. She has called for more investment in preventive medicine and better working conditions for nurses and junior doctors. Her willingness to speak truth to power, without political alignment, has earned her respect across the ideological spectrum.

What makes Dr. Damjanovic’s perspective "deep" is the rare blend of high-level diplomatic experience and rigorous academic inquiry. Before her career in academia, she spent nine years as a career diplomat for Croatia