Dr. Tamara Stipcevic

Research scientist
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
University of California Santa Barbara
United States of America
93106

Brief Biography:

I have a broad background in molecular biology and have studied several tissue systems, skin, brain, and endocrine at the molecular and cellular levels. During my graduate studies at University of Antwerpen, I have studied chemistry of natural products and tested and prepared some plant derived compounds (flavonoids) for pharmaceutical applications. My Ph.D. research involved comprehensive investigation of the activities of di-rhamnolipid, a natural glycolipid biosurfactant secreted by bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, on the process of wound healing. The results of my research lead to successful trial of the treatment for persistent decubitus ulcers.
For the past 5 years I have been working and studying in the area of neuroscience and molecular neuropsychiatry. In particular, I have investigated the association between thyroid disorders and depression.Related to this I am reviewer for several acknowledged international journals.

Academic positions:

1991-1996 : B.S , Biochemistry, University of California at Davis, (USA)
1998-1999 : M.S , Pharmaceutical Sciences , Universiteit Antwerpen (Belgium)
1999-2002 : Ph.D , Biology/Basic Medical Sciences , University of Zagreb  (Croatia)/Department of Dermatology ,University of California Davis, (USA)
2002-2006 : Molecular Medicine , Institute Rudjer Boskovic, (Croatia)
2006-2010 : Neuroscience , Institute Rudjer Boskovic, (Croatia)
Positions :
1992-1993 : Student Research Assistant I in the laboratory of Prof. B. Horowitz,
1993 : Student Intern Research Assistant,project PI Dr. M. Lassner, Calgene Inc, Davis, USA
1996-1997 : Post-graduate Researcher in the laboratory of Dr. F.Bliss, Department of Pomology , University of California Davis,USA
1998-1999 : Graduate Student Researcher mentor Dr. D. Vanden Berghe Departement  of Farmaceutische Wetenschappen, Universiteit Antwerpen, Belgium.
1998-2000 : Research Assistant III in the laboratory of  Prof. R.R. Isseroff, Department of Dermatology, University of California Davis/ TajCo Inc, USA
2000-2006 : Senior Research Assistant in the laboratory of Prof. M. Borani, Dept of Molecular Medicine, Ruler Boškovi Institute, Zagreb, Croatia.
2006-present : Post doctoral student/Research Associate in the laboratory of Dr. D. Muck-Seler, Dept of Molecular Medicine, Ru?er Boškovi Institute,Zagreb, Croatia.
2010-present : Research Scientist in the laboratory of Dr. T. Kippin, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California at  Santa Barbara, USA

Research interests:

My current research interests are glycolipid biology in disease states and neural bases of  psychiatric disorders. Undergoing studies are directed  towards elucidation of novel treatments for neural disorders employing neural stem cells and animal models.

What I think of the idea behind WebmedCentral:

I encourage the idea of having  an open access to scientific publications and peer review process. It is however critical to ensure  that articles released are of high quality because they might contain some information on the clinical relevance of certain drugs that are important for human health. Therefore, having a good review system is of extreme importance.