Dr. Elma Hrustemović | Microbial Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine | University of Sarajevo | Bosnia and Herzegovina

Elma Hrustemović is an accomplished veterinary medicine specialist and an emerging researcher in clinical microbiology and food safety. As a doctoral student at the University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, she has demonstrated strong academic and research capabilities by leading and contributing to multiple projects in the fields of antimicrobial resistance, zoonotic pathogens, and public health. With a background in veterinary medicine and advanced specialization in microbiology, her scientific career reflects a blend of academic excellence, industry collaboration, and international recognition. She has published numerous works in indexed journals, participated in global conferences, and has actively contributed to knowledge dissemination in veterinary and food sciences. Her dedication to addressing global health threats such as antibiotic resistance makes her a promising scientist in the biotechnology and veterinary medicine community.

Profile

Orcid | Scopus | Google Scholar

Education

Elma Hrustemović began her academic journey with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, which provided her with a strong foundation in animal health and public health sciences. She further specialized by completing a postgraduate academic specialist program in Veterinary Medicine in the field of Clinical Microbiology, a program highly valued in both clinical and research environments. Continuing her pursuit of scientific excellence, she is currently enrolled as a doctoral student in Veterinary Medicine and Public Health at the University of Sarajevo, where she has already completed significant research milestones. In addition to her veterinary training, she has undergone advanced professional education as a Health Manager SHCE1 and Internal Auditor for the public health sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina, while also receiving management and supervisory board training in institutions with state participation, equipping her with both scientific and administrative expertise.

Experience

Elma has accumulated diverse experience in academia, research, and industry collaborations. At the University of Sarajevo, she has been engaged in significant research projects on foodborne pathogens, focusing on their prevalence, molecular identification, and antibiotic resistance. Her involvement includes two current projects: investigating the presence and resistance mechanisms of Listeria monocytogenes from foods of animal origin, and examining antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter species in broiler chicken meat production. She also contributed to research assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the distribution of Campylobacter isolates. Beyond research, she has served as President of the Technical Board of the 8th Student Congress “Food-Nutrition-Health,” reflecting her organizational leadership in scientific events. Furthermore, she has collaborated with international institutions such as the University of Zagreb and the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan, where she contributed to cross-border research on antimicrobial resistance.

Research Interest

Her primary research interests lie at the intersection of veterinary medicine, clinical microbiology, food hygiene, and biotechnology. She is particularly focused on zoonotic bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter spp., exploring their molecular diversity, resistance patterns, and implications for food safety and public health. By applying advanced molecular techniques including Real-Time PCR and next-generation sequencing, she contributes to the identification and characterization of resistant strains. She is equally committed to developing standardized methodologies that enhance global harmonization of data on antimicrobial resistance. Her interests extend to environmental protection, food safety policies, and innovative approaches in clinical microbiology that support the “One Health” framework.

Awards

Elma has been recognized for her leadership and scientific engagement through multiple academic and professional roles. Notably, she was appointed President of the Technical Committee at the 8th Student Congress “Food-Nutrition-Health” in Sarajevo, an acknowledgment of her commitment to fostering academic dialogue. Her citation index, with an H-index of 4 and growing citations of her work, also reflects the academic community’s recognition of her contributions. She has been nominated for the Best Researcher Award in Biotechnology, further affirming her status as a rising scholar in the field.

Publications Top Notes

Elma has contributed extensively to scholarly literature with total publications, including journal articles, conference proceedings, and presentations. Selected representative publications include:

Conclusion

Elma Hrustemović stands out as a dedicated veterinary medicine researcher whose work bridges the gap between clinical microbiology and food safety. With a growing body of impactful publications, leadership roles in academic congresses, and active participation in international collaborations, she exemplifies the qualities of an emerging leader in biotechnology and veterinary sciences. Her focus on antimicrobial resistance in foodborne pathogens addresses a pressing global challenge, ensuring her contributions are not only scientifically valuable but also socially relevant. Through her academic trajectory and professional engagements, she has established a strong foundation for a distinguished career, making her a deserving candidate for recognition as a leading young researcher.