Dr. Sonja Novak

Written By Pavle Banović

Department of Epidemiology,

Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš

University Clinical Centre Niš (Clinical Epidemiology Team)

Niš

Serbia

Topic of interest:

Epidemiology and surveillance of vector-borne diseases; One Health; climate change and urban environment (blue-green infrastructure) as determinants of VBD risk; prevention, health education and risk communication; preparedness and public health response; healthcare-associated infection control.

BAVBD contribution:

I am a medical doctor, specialist in epidemiology, PhD in health management and epidemiology, with an MSc in International Health Management and Development (University of Birmingham, Chevening scholar). I teach epidemiology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, and work in the clinical epidemiology team of the University Clinical Centre Niš, a tertiary hospital for southeastern Serbia. I am currently completing a subspecialization in Health Education.

I can offer:

·       expertise in designing and running surveillance systems and in outbreak investigation in a tertiary hospital setting (HAI/AMR surveillance across all clinics, staff immunization programmes), transferable to hospital-based surveillance and case detection of VBD;

·       an interdisciplinary research line on the public health implications of urban blue-green infrastructure and climate adaptation, developed with colleagues from the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Niš, including the potential of BGI to amplify mosquito- and tick-borne disease risk and the governance of climate adaptation measures in public health;

·       health education and risk communication: designing educational programmes, training of healthcare workers and public awareness interventions on vector-borne disease prevention;

·       experience in organizing professional training (e.g. a school of hospital infection prevention) and accredited CME programmes, useful for regional capacity building;

·       access to southeastern Serbia as a study area, where the data on VBD are limited.

I am looking for:

·       collaboration with entomologists, veterinarians and laboratory/diagnostic partners for joint One Health studies linking vector data, environmental (urban/green space) data and human cases in southern Serbia;

·       support in advanced statistical analysis and spatial/risk modelling;

·       partners for joint project proposals (Horizon Europe, COST Actions, bilateral and national calls) and for joint publications;

exchange of good practice in risk communication and health education on VBD in the Balkan region.

Relevant references:

  1. Novak SM, Kocić BN, Nikolić MD, Milenković NG, Popović NM, Rančić NK. Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis: risk, prevention and QoL (2020–2026). Microbiol Res. 2026;17(9):170. doi:10.3390/microbiolres17090170

  2. Novak S, Blagojević B, Nikolić M. Local and national responsibilities for climate change adaptation measures in Serbia’s public health sector. In: Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference Green Building 2026; 2026 Oct 15–16; Niš, Serbia. Niš: Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Niš; 2026. (in press; oral presentation, paper ID GREENB-023).

  3. Novak S, Blagojević B, Vasilevska Lj. Primena koncepta plavo-zelene infrastrukture u funkciji poboljšanja javnog zdravlja: potencijali i rizici [Application of the blue-green infrastructure concept for public health improvement: potentials and risks]. In: Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference Green Building 2024; Niš: Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Niš; 2024. p. 239–244.

  4. Novak S, Kocić B, Nikolić M, Rančić N. Public health implications of urban blue-green infrastructure: potential risks for the amplification of vector-borne diseases. In: Abstract Book of the 4th Annual BAVBD Meeting; 2026 Oct 24–25; Sofia, Bulgaria. Novi Sad: Balkan Association for Vector-Borne Diseases; 2026. p. 38 (S3-09, oral presentation). ISBN 978-86-909710-0-8. doi:10.5281/zenodo.23262548

  5. Stojanović M, Randjelović M, Vasilijić M, Mitić R, Novak S, Janković R. Comprehensive analysis of microbiological surveillance at the Clinic for Anesthesia and Intensive Therapy in Niš: a three year follow up. Serbian Journal of Anesthesia and Intensive Therapy. 2026;(1-2):23-33. doi:10.5937/sjait2602023S

  6. Marinković M, Djordjević M, Djordjević V, Karanikolić V, Novak S, Perišić J. Leadership and healthcare professionals’ role in hand hygiene compliance: identifying risk factors at surgical clinics of the University Clinical Center Niš, Serbia. J Public Health Res. 2026;15(2):22799036261448794. doi:10.1177/22799036261448794

  7. Milić J, Kokić Z, Kon P, Vučurović M, Novak S, Popović N, Marušić V. Seasonal mortality patterns analyzing epidemiological impact of COVID-19 on overall mortality rates in Belgrade, Serbia over three-year period (2020–2023): mental health consequences and public health implications. J Clin Med. 2025;14(10):3290. doi:10.3390/jcm14103290

Pavle Banović
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Dr. Maja Nikolić