Mrs. Marija Gjorgoska | Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana | Slovenia
Marija Gjorgoska is a dedicated biomedical researcher and teaching assistant at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. With a strong background in biochemistry, molecular biology, and bioinformatics, she has contributed significantly to cancer research, focusing on steroid hormone signaling in gynecological cancers. Her scientific work combines analytical expertise in LC-MS/MS with a solid foundation in molecular biology and statistical analysis using R programming. Marija is passionate about advancing clinical diagnostics and cancer treatment through high-precision biomolecular profiling. Her academic journey reflects international exposure through internships in the UK and Macedonia. She is known for her collaborative spirit and commitment to scientific rigor, which has led to multiple high-impact publications. Marija continues to mentor students and contribute to the academic community through her teaching role, making her a rising figure in molecular oncology research.
publication profile:
scopus
Strengths:
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High Research Productivity 📈
Marija Gjorgoska has authored or co-authored 10 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals such as Progress in Lipid Research (IF 14.0), Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism (IF 11.4), and Cancers. Her work shows consistent scientific output, often with first or shared first authorship.
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Cutting-Edge Technical Expertise 🔬
She demonstrates advanced proficiency in LC-MS/MS method development, multi-steroid profiling, and bioinformatics (R programming). This makes her an expert in translational hormone research and biomarker discovery.
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Clinical Relevance and Innovation ⚕️
Her research addresses urgent clinical challenges like endometrial cancer diagnosis and ovarian cancer drug resistance, applying modern analytical techniques combined with machine learning, which positions her at the forefront of personalized medicine.
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Recognition and Collaboration 🤝
She has been awarded prestigious grants (e.g., Society of Endocrinology, UK), collaborated internationally (UK, Macedonia), and contributes to academia as a teaching assistant—all signs of an emerging research leader.
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Interdisciplinary Impact 🌐
Marija effectively integrates molecular biology, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, and computational biology—indicative of her versatility and broad scientific impact.
Areas for Improvement:
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Independent Research Leadership
While she has made substantial contributions as a junior and co-investigator, future work could benefit from establishing herself as a principal investigator or project leader, including securing her own research funding.
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Diversification of Research Themes
Her focus has been predominantly on hormone-related cancers. Expanding into other disease models or mechanisms could broaden her impact and create new collaborative opportunities.
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Public Engagement and Outreach
Enhancing her visibility through conference presentations, science communication, or community health initiatives would further solidify her standing as a leader and advocate for biomedical research.
Education :
Marija Gjorgoska is currently enrolled in a doctoral program in Biomedicine, specializing in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Ljubljana. Her academic foundation includes a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology (2018–2021) from the same university, completed with an outstanding GPA of 9.52/10. She also gained international experience through a short-term internship at the University of Birmingham, UK, in 2023, focusing on advanced LC-MS/MS techniques for clinical sample analysis. Earlier in her academic career, she completed a long-term internship at the Research Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Skopje, Macedonia (2017), where she worked on genetic diagnostics involving haemoglobinopathies, HPV, HBV, and HCV detection. Her education has consistently emphasized both theoretical knowledge and hands-on laboratory skills, particularly in analytical chemistry, molecular biology, and bioinformatics, all of which shape her current research endeavors in cancer diagnostics and hormonal regulation.
Experience:
Marija Gjorgoska has been actively engaged in research since 2020 as a Research Assistant at the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana. Her core responsibilities include developing and validating LC-MS/MS analytical methods, conducting proteomic and genetic analyses of cancer tissues, and performing bioinformatic evaluations using R programming. In October 2024, she also began serving as a Teaching Assistant for the course “Principles of Biochemistry,” demonstrating her commitment to education and mentorship. Marija’s prior internships have equipped her with valuable skills in prenatal and infectious disease diagnostics. Her research contributions span experimental planning, scientific writing, and instrument maintenance, establishing her as a versatile scientist. Her collaborative projects with international researchers and clinicians further underline her strength in translational biomedical research. This combination of teaching, laboratory, and analytical expertise supports her growing influence in molecular oncology.
Awards and Honors:
Marija Gjorgoska has been recognized for both academic and research excellence. In 2023, she was awarded the Practical Skills Grant by the Society of Endocrinology, UK, enabling her to undergo advanced training in LC-MS/MS at the University of Birmingham. Earlier, in 2021, she received the Krka Recognition with Special Praise for her Master’s thesis, highlighting her early promise as a researcher in molecular biology. Her scientific publications have appeared in top-tier journals such as Progress in Lipid Research and Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism, some with impact factors exceeding 14.0. Notably, she earned shared first co-authorship in Methods in Enzymology for her work on enzymatic assay development. These accolades reflect her technical excellence, originality, and scientific contributions in the field of steroid metabolism and gynecological cancers. Marija’s achievements distinguish her as a young researcher with significant impact and high potential for further contributions to science and medicine.
Research Focus :
Marija Gjorgoska’s research focuses on the role of steroid hormones in the development and progression of gynecological cancers, particularly endometrial and ovarian cancers. Her work integrates analytical chemistry (LC-MS/MS), bioinformatics, and molecular biology to uncover diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. She has developed multi-steroid profiling techniques to differentiate between normal and cancerous tissues, aiding early diagnosis. Marija’s studies also address the pre-receptor regulation of androgenic and estrogenic hormones, exploring their signaling dynamics at the tissue level. Using tools such as Mendelian randomization, she investigates genetic influences on hormone-related disease risk. Her interdisciplinary approach combines advanced mass spectrometry, statistical modeling, and clinical collaboration to translate bench science into meaningful medical applications. Through high-impact publications, she contributes to understanding hormone metabolism in cancer microenvironments, with the goal of informing targeted therapies and overcoming drug resistance. Her work is critical for advancing personalized medicine in hormone-driven malignancies.
Publications Top Notes:
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📘 From fallopian tube epithelium to high-grade serous ovarian cancer: A single-cell resolution review of sex steroid hormone signaling – Progress in Lipid Research, 2024
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📘 Integration of androgen hormones in endometrial cancer biology – Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2022
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📘 Steroid sulfatase and sulfotransferases in gynecological cancers: current status and perspectives – Essays in Biochemistry, 2024
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📘 Estrogens and the Schrödinger’s cat in the ovarian tumor microenvironment – Cancers, 2021
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📘 Multi-Steroid Profiling and Machine Learning Reveal Androgens as Biomarkers for Endometrial Cancer – Cancers, 2025
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📘 Simultaneous measurement of 17 endogenous steroid hormones by LC-MS/MS – J. of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2024
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📘 11-oxyandrogens in normal vs. cancerous endometrium – Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2024
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📘 Targeting estrogen metabolism to overcome platinum resistance in ovarian cancer – Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 2024
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📘 Effect of androgens on risk of endometriosis sub-phenotypes and ovarian neoplasms – J. of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2024
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📘 Enzymatic assays for 17β-HSD types 1 and 2 using mass spectrometry – Methods in Enzymology, 2023
Conclusion:
Marija Gjorgoska is a highly promising early-career researcher with a strong and growing international publication record, deep technical expertise in analytical biochemistry, and a clear focus on clinically relevant research. Her integration of hormonal pathway analysis with state-of-the-art analytical methods has already contributed valuable insights to the field of gynecological oncology. She has the academic rigor, curiosity, and collaborative drive essential for impactful science.
In my opinion, she is a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Continued mentorship and support toward independent research leadership will elevate her even further in the years to come.